WhatsApp Has Started Charging For A Plus Subscription — What’s Included And Will Regular Users Be Affected?

WhatsApp has started a phased rollout of an optional paid subscription called WhatsApp Plus. The first to get access to the new plan are Android device owners, and the corresponding section has already appeared in the app settings for some users. This is an extra feature pack that doesn’t affect the core capabilities of the service. Sending messages, voice calls, and end-to-end encryption remain free and available to everyone without exception.

The subscription is positioned as a tool for those who need advanced customization and chat organization options. WhatsApp Plus includes several categories of improvements. First, the pinned chat limit goes up from three to twenty, which could be useful for people who juggle many active conversations and want to keep them front and center. Second, subscribers get access to exclusive sticker packs, some of which come with animated effects that play over the chat screen. Third, the plan lets you change the interface color scheme – instead of the standard green, you can pick from eighteen shades. Plus, subscribers get fourteen alternative app icons.

Another new addition is a set of ten exclusive ringtones for incoming calls. You can assign them to individual contacts or entire chat lists. For chat lists, there’s also a bulk configuration option: you can set a single theme and notification sound for all conversations in a specific list at once. In European countries, the subscription costs €2.49 per month (roughly 220 rubles).

You can check for access to WhatsApp Plus in the app settings: the path is Settings → Subscriptions → WhatsApp Plus. If the section isn’t there, it means the rollout hasn’t reached your account yet. The company explains that the rollout is gradual and recommends keeping the app updated through Google Play. Previously, Pavel Durov called out WhatsApp for weak encryption.

At the same time, Meta is testing a similar model for Instagram – an Instagram Plus subscription with longer Story retention periods and other extra features. So far, none of these projects have been officially announced to a wide audience, and the timeline for a full launch remains open. The last major WhatsApp update was in December of last year, when the messenger picked up several AI-powered features.

Are you ready to consider a subscription for new themes and more pinned chats, or would you rather stick with the free plan? Share your thoughts in the comments.