WhatsApp Plus has reportedly launched for iPhone and Android users with advanced themes, interface tweaks, and enhanced personalisation features. WhatsApp noted that the premium plan is optional and does not impact the core messaging, calling, or privacy experience for non-subscribers.
The highly anticipated WhatsApp Plus appears to be rolling out to select users. Unlike the beta version tested earlier, this is reportedly a stable release that introduces a subscription paywall for access to features beyond the standard app.
According to WABetaInfo, the subscription-based version is currently available to iPhone users in parts of Europe and Mexico. The service is said to cost €2.49 (10.72 Dirham) per month in Europe, while users in Mexico reportedly need to pay $29.
WhatsApp Plus will have the same core features as the regular version, including end-to-end encryption of chats and calls and status updates. The latest updates aim to personalize the experience, with customized ringtones for contacts, app icons, animations, premium stickers and more.
WhatsApp Plus offers a range of exclusive visual enhancements, including animated sticker packs with overlay effects, 18 color-based app themes, and up to 14 alternate app icons featuring minimalist, artistic, and stylized designs. This will be beyond the traditional green WhatsApp layout that users have been stuck with for years.
Users on WhatsApp Plus can pin up to 20 chats (up from 3) at the top of the conversation list, making it easier to keep important personal and group chats readily accessible. Additionally, the new paid version introduces upgraded chat list management tools. It will allow users to apply shared themes, notification tones, and ringtone settings across entire chat categories, such as work or family, with a single action.
WhatsApp Plus includes a collection of 10 premium ringtones designed to help calls stand out from regular phone notifications.
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WhatsApp Plus is yet to be launched globally. The feature is currently rolling out to a limited number of iOS users. Broader availability is expected over the coming weeks. While European and Mexican pricing is out, it is said to vary by region.
WhatsApp Plus could appeal to users who depend heavily on the messaging platform for daily communication. Its additional features, including interface customization, personalized ringtones, and productivity-focused tools, are expected to improve the overall user experience.