WhatsApp Plus subscription now rolling out to iPhone users

WhatsApp launched a paid premium subscription tier on iOS, rolling out to a limited number of users with broader availability expected over the coming weeks.

The subscription model, released in beta for Android users last month, provides users who are ready to pay €2.49 per month ($2.49-$2.99 depending on availability in the US) access to premium chat customisation and management options.

Rollout to iPhone users marks the first major monetisation move from Meta on the core messaging service of WhatsApp after buying the latter in 2014. Everything that existed until now in WhatsApp, the core messaging feature, making calls, and sharing files continues to remain free.

What WhatsApp Plus offers?

The subscription's most practical feature is expanded chat pinning: subscribers can pin up to 20 chats instead of the three-chat limit in the free version. This single upgrade may justify the subscription for users managing heavy messaging workloads across professional and personal conversations.

Other premium features are animated premium stickers (that can be seen by everyone, including non-subscribers), custom app icons, themes, premium ringtones, and enhanced chat lists.

Enhanced chat lists are particularly advanced. Subscribers can create their own lists of contacts (such as workmates) and set uniform attributes for all chats (one theme, one notification tone, or one ringtone).

WhatsApp Plus availability

WhatsApp Plus is currently available to a limited iOS user base, with phased rollout over the coming weeks.