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WhatsApp Plus subscriptions rolling out to iPhone, but you probably don’t need one

A paid WhatsApp Plus subscription, offering features like custom chat themes and ad-free browsing, is quietly expanding to iPhone users, but its benefits may be limited by the platform's existing feature set and the fact that many of its touted enhancements are already available through third-party apps. The subscription, initially rolled out to Android beta testers last month, is now live for a small number of iOS users. Its rollout is expected to continue over the next few weeks.

Marco P (AI-assisted) 1 min read EN

Based on reporting from Source.

Overview

WhatsApp Plus, a paid subscription tier offering enhanced customization and chat management tools, is now rolling out to a limited number of iPhone users following its debut in the Android beta last month. The expansion was confirmed by WABetaInfo, which reported that the feature is gradually becoming available on iOS and will continue to roll out over the coming weeks. The subscription is not yet available in the US, but European pricing is set at €2.49 per month, indicating a likely US price range of $2.49 to $2.99.

All core WhatsApp messaging functionality remains free. The WhatsApp Plus tier introduces a set of premium features aimed at users seeking greater personalization and organizational control over their chats.

What it does

Subscribers to WhatsApp Plus gain access to the following features:

  • Send premium stickers with animated overlay effects (visible to free users, but only subscribers can send them)
  • Choose a custom app icon
  • Change the app’s theme
  • Access premium ringtones for messages and calls
  • Upgrade chat lists with unified settings
  • Pin up to 20 chats (increased from the standard limit of 3)

The upgraded list functionality allows subscribers to group chats—such as work contacts or family members—and apply consistent settings across all conversations in the list. This includes a shared chat theme, alert tone for messages, and a unified ringtone for calls. These settings are applied with a single action, streamlining chat management for users with multiple active conversations.

The ability to pin 20 chats is the most functionally significant upgrade, particularly for users who juggle numerous ongoing discussions. The custom app icon and themes offer aesthetic personalization, while premium stickers add expressive options in messaging.

Tradeoffs

Many of the features offered by WhatsApp Plus, such as custom themes and stickers, are already available on iOS through third-party apps or jailbreaking, though not within WhatsApp itself. Apple’s platform restrictions also limit the depth of integration for features like app icons and ringtones compared to Android.

Additionally, the subscription does not introduce advanced privacy tools, message encryption upgrades, or cloud storage enhancements—features that some power users may consider more valuable than cosmetic or organizational upgrades.

When to use it

WhatsApp Plus may appeal to users who prioritize chat organization and visual customization and are willing to pay for incremental improvements. However, given the limited scope of the enhancements and the lack of access in key markets like the US, most users are unlikely to find the subscription essential at this stage.

The gradual rollout suggests WhatsApp is testing user response before a broader release.

Sources 1

  1. 01 Source https://9to5mac.com/2026/05/11/whatsapp-plus-subscriptions-rolling-out-to-iphone-but-you-probably-dont-need-one/
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