WhatsApp Expands Status Updates to Unsaved Contacts

News Desk 

Islamabad: The Meta-owned messaging platform Meta has introduced a new feature on WhatsApp that allows users to receive status updates from unsaved phone numbers, making it easier to stay updated with recent contacts.

According to WABetaInfo, the feature is currently available to some beta testers and is expected to roll out to more users in the coming days.

The update introduces a new way for users to remain connected with individuals they have recently interacted with.

Status updates can now be visible from phone numbers involved in recent chats or calls, even if those numbers are not saved in the user’s contact list.

Users will notice a tilde (~) symbol appearing before a contact name and phone number in the status interface. This symbol indicates that the status update is coming from a recent interaction with a number that is not saved in their contacts.

WhatsApp has quietly rolled out the feature without issuing an official in-app announcement. However, users who receive status updates from unknown numbers may see an introductory screen explaining how the feature works.

The platform clarified that users can only receive such updates if they have recently messaged or called the number, even if it is not saved in their address book.

Despite the change, WhatsApp emphasized that user privacy remains unchanged. The introductory screen explains that users still have full control over who can view their status updates at any time through existing privacy settings.

If a user receives a status update from an unknown number, it indicates that the sender has the recipient’s number saved in their contacts. Additionally, visibility of status updates continues to depend on privacy settings and recent interactions between users, such as calls or messages.