March 16, 2026, 2:45 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
WhatsApp is apparently working on changes for the status area. A new feature in testing will allow people to see posts even if they are not saved in the phonebook.
WhatsApp Tests New Status Feature
WhatsApp is one of the most widely used messaging apps. Until now, the service has been closely tied to phone numbers. To communicate with others, you usually need to save their number in your phonebook. This has limited many features to a relatively small circle of contacts.
The operator, Meta, is apparently working to loosen this connection. According to the insider blog WABetaInfo.com, WhatsApp plans to introduce usernames by 2026. These will allow communication with others without sharing your phone number. A first step in this direction is reportedly already being tested.
Status for Unsaved Contacts
In a test run, selected users can share their status updates with people not saved in their phonebook for the first time. Previously, this was mandatory. In the future, people you have only messaged or called once via WhatsApp can also see your status. The app does not permanently save these contacts in the phonebook. Instead, it accesses the communication history, which is only available on your smartphone.
This can happen, for example, when you communicate with a service provider via WhatsApp or exchange messages with a seller from an online marketplace. These individuals could also see your status in the future and share their own status updates in return.
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More Content in the Status Area
With the change, the status tab could display significantly more content. Users will no longer see only posts from their saved contacts. At the same time, their own status updates can reach more people than before, including those with whom they have only had brief contact.
Privacy Protection Settings
If you want to limit the audience, you can still use the privacy settings. Unwanted status updates can be muted. You can also specify who is allowed to see your status updates.
If you have previously chosen to make your status visible only to contacts, this will now include people you have merely communicated with. If you want to avoid this, you must use the “Share only with…” option. There, you can specify which contacts are allowed to see your status updates. When Meta will roll out the feature to all users is currently unknown.