WhatsApp's Look Is About to Change: Friends' Statuses Will Soon Appear at the Top, Just Like on Instagram! Get Ready
To make its Status section even more popular and interactive than before, WhatsApp is soon set to introduce a brand-new interface. This new interface is expected to significantly boost interaction and engagement within the Status section.
WhatsApp frequently introduces new features for its users. In tandem with this, the instant messaging platform regularly tweaks its interface as well. According to the latest reports, WhatsApp is once again preparing to revamp its interface. However, the upcoming update won't drastically alter WhatsApp's overall aesthetic; instead, the previously separate WhatsApp Statuses will soon be viewable directly within the Chat section. The design is set to closely resemble Instagram, where the "Stories" section appears as a row of circles at the very top; similarly, WhatsApp's "Status" section will now occupy this prime real estate. Let's dive into all the details regarding this change.
WhatsApp Statuses to Appear in the Chat Section
WaBetaInfo is a publication dedicated to tracking every minor and major update released by WhatsApp. According to WaBetaInfo's latest report, the new WhatsApp interface has been spotted in the WhatsApp Beta for Android version 2.26.11.2 update. With this new interface, the company is preparing to integrate Status updates directly at the very top of the Chat section. This new layout will make it much easier for users to view Statuses, allowing them to access them instantly simply by tapping at the top of the screen.
How the Status Section Currently Looks
Currently, to view Statuses, users are required to open a separate "Updates" tab, after which they can browse through the Statuses posted by their friends and family.
Screenshot
📝 WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.17.1: what's new?
— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) April 28, 2026
WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that displays status updates at the top of the Chats tab, and it's available to some beta testers!https://t.co/rhlnZdjmY1 pic.twitter.com/1LKe7EMQhl
The report also includes a screenshot of the new interface. The screenshot clearly demonstrates that users will soon have the convenience of viewing Statuses right at the top of their WhatsApp screen. From this location, you won't just be able to view others' Statuses; a "My Status" option has also been added to this very section, allowing you to easily post your own Status updates to WhatsApp.
For the time being, this feature has been rolled out exclusively to beta testers. However, following a testing phase, it may be rolled out to all users. The rollout itself could be conducted in a phased manner, meaning it may take some time for this feature to reach everyone.
How will users benefit?
This upcoming update from WhatsApp will transform the app's user interface. With the new update, users will be able to view Status updates more quickly and easily. Furthermore, app navigation is expected to become even more intuitive than before. This will also result in time savings when viewing Status updates. Currently, users often simply close the app after finishing a chat; they frequently forget—or simply do not think—to switch to the next tab to check for Status updates. However, once Status previews appear at the very top of their chat list, WhatsApp's Status section is likely to gain significant popularity—leading to increased user interaction and higher overall engagement.
