WhatsApp is reportedly testing a new subscription model that offers users an ad-free experience for a monthly fee of around €4. This development was revealed through code discovered in the Android beta version 2.26.3.9, indicating that the subscription plan is targeted primarily at users in Europe and the UK.
Currently, WhatsApp displays ads in its Updates tab, which includes Status posts and Channels. These advertisements consist of Status Ads appearing after updates and Promoted Channels recommended to users. Under the proposed subscription, these ads would be removed, allowing subscribers to browse without interruptions. Importantly, core WhatsApp features such as private messaging, voice calls, and video calls will remain free for all users.
Meta introduced ads in WhatsApp’s Updates tab initially in the United States last year before expanding to other regions. The company has clarified that ads do not use data from private chats; targeting is instead based on language, general location, and user activity within the Updates tab. This advertising approach aims to help businesses connect with WhatsApp’s large user base of over 1.5 billion people.
The introduction of a paid option aligns with regulatory requirements in Europe and the UK, which mandate platforms offer users a choice between ad-supported and paid services. Similar subscription options have already been implemented on Facebook and Instagram in these regions.
Subscriptions would be managed via Google Play in-app purchases, with changes taking up to 15 minutes to take effect after activation. It remains unclear whether this will be a standalone WhatsApp subscription or integrated into a wider Meta Accounts Center subscription covering multiple apps.
For now, the subscription remains optional, and free-tier users will continue to see ads in the Updates tab. WhatsApp has not announced an official launch date, stating that the feature is still under development and subject to meeting regulatory standards.
In related updates, WhatsApp is preparing to replace Tenor with Klipy as its default GIF provider following Tenor’s announcement to shut down its API on June 30, 2026. The switch, spotted in a recent iOS beta, will automatically update users’ GIF options to Klipy-branded content.
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