WhatsApp for Android is getting a new feature that will allow users to mention others on their status updates. The status update mentioned feature is said to be private, so only the uploader and the mentioned user will be able to see it. The functionality of the feature is said to be similar to Instagram Stories, where the mentioned user is notified of status updates.

According to a post by WhatsApp feature tracker WABetaInfo, the feature was spotted in the WhatsApp beta 2.24.20.3 update for Android. The feature is not visible at the moment, so users who have signed up for the Google Beta program will not be able to test it.

Based on the screenshot shared by the feature tracker, the new option only affects the status update process. Currently, the feature does not allow users to tag others. However, it is being said that this update will allow users to tag saved contacts. The feature is referred to as "Mentions" in the screenshot.

The Mentions icon is represented with '@' and is set on the text field before the send button. Another screenshot shares the description of the feature and states that the mentioned user will receive a message informing them that they have been mentioned. It is being said that they will also get a notification for this. Once mentioned, users can view the status and also reshare it.

After updating the status, the name of the mentioned user will appear below the name of the main user. However, because the feature will be private, only the main user and the mentioned contact will be able to see it. In this way, users can privately mention someone they want to show the status to, without letting anyone else know about it.