Wetin dey happen? WhatsApp don start to test new paid plan wey dem dey call WhatsApp Plus. This one na small test wey dem dey run for some Android users for limited markets. The company confirm am say na true, dem dey try this new subscription service.
Make we clear one thing quick-quick. WhatsApp no dey put normal messaging behind paywall. Text messages, calls, status updates – all these ones remain free. Even the end-to-end encryption wey make WhatsApp secure no go change. The core promise of the app dey intact.
So wetin WhatsApp Plus dey offer? According to Meta spokesperson wey talk to TechCrunch, the paid plan na for users wey want more ways to organize and personalize their experience. The features mainly cosmetic – things like custom icons, themes, ringtones, and notification tones.
One practical feature na say subscribers fit pin up to 20 chats. For free tier, you only get pin three chats. This one go help heavy users wey dey juggle many conversations at once.
Other features include exclusive sticker packs with full-screen animated effects, about 18 extra colors to change app look, multiple custom app icon styles, and bulk settings tools wey allow you apply changes across multiple chats at once.
Social media consultant Matt Navarra and beta tracker WABetaInfo don spot this WhatsApp Plus feature. The test dey limited – only small number of WhatsApp’s over 3 billion users go see am for now. Dem dey test am for Android first, but support for iOS dey expected later.
Price no dey fixed globally yet. For Europe, dem dey charge about €5 per month. For Pakistan, na PKR 229 per month. For Mexico, dem dey charge MXN 29 per month, though this one look unusually high and fit be placeholder or regional test variation.
Important to note: WhatsApp dey offer one-month free trial to users wey get access to the test. Subscription follow standard monthly model via Play Store with auto-renewal. Users fit cancel anytime before next billing cycle.
This no be first time WhatsApp dey think about subscription. More than ten years ago, WhatsApp charge $1 subscription fee for some regions. But after Facebook buy the company, dem ditch that fee for 2016.
Since then, WhatsApp business model dey revolve around allowing companies to reach users on the platform and letting them create click-to-WhatsApp ads. This one don turn to significant business for Meta.
During Meta Q4 2025 earnings call, the company say their family of apps revenue jump 54% year-on-year to $801 million. This surge significantly driven by paid messaging on WhatsApp. The company also say WhatsApp revenue cross $2 billion annualized run-rate for Q4.
But this WhatsApp Plus test no likely move needle much on company balance sheets for near term. Because na early test for limited markets, only few users go get chance buy the paid plan.
Meta spokesperson explain say: “We’re starting with small test to gather feedback and ensure we’re building something people find genuinely valuable.” This suggest WhatsApp dey experiment with adding more features over time depending on user feedback.
Notably, no mention of ad removal from Status feature. WhatsApp begin run ads on Status last year, and this WhatsApp Plus subscription no include ad removal as part of premium features.
All the basic WhatsApp features remain free. WhatsApp no remove any core features add them to paid plan – all the Plus features na new additions. The subscription dey designed as add-on, not replacement. If you no subscribe, your app go work exactly same as e dey work today.
The features focus on personalization and small convenience. For heavy users wey dey manage many conversations, these tools fit make everyday use smoother. But for average user, these features no essential.
Right now, WhatsApp Plus dey in testing phase. Most users no go see am yet. If available, e dey appear inside app settings. The company dey gather feedback to see if people willing pay for extra control and customization.
This development show how Meta dey explore new revenue streams for their popular messaging platform. With over 3 billion users worldwide, even small percentage of subscribers fit generate significant income over time.
But for now, WhatsApp maintain say all core messaging functions remain free. The paid plan na optional layer for users wey want more personalization options. The test dey ongoing, and WhatsApp go decide next steps based on user feedback and adoption rates.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor @ nnn.ng
