WhatsApp has started rolling out its paid WhatsApp Plus subscription on iOS, following beta testing of the new customization-focused tier with a small group of users, reports WABetaInfo.
The plan is light on practical features and is aimed more at heavier users who want to customize various aspects of the WhatsApp experience. It gives you access to premium sticker packs with full-screen overlay animations (visible to recipients without a plan) and 18 accent colors that replace the app’s default green across the entire interface. There are also 14 alternative app icons to choose from, ranging from minimal outlines to glittery and artistic designs.
The plan also increases the pinned chat limit from 3 to 20, adds 10 new ringtones, and allows bulk theme, alert tone, and ringtone settings in chat lists.
The subscription costs €2.49 per month in Europe and $29 in Mexico, but this may not reflect the price in other regions. Eligible users can also benefit from a one-week or one-month free trial, depending on the country. However, if you have a WhatsApp Business account, you will not see the subscription option: it is reserved for regular users.
The core functionality of WhatsApp remains changed, so users who are not interested in the plan don’t lose anything. Messaging, voice and video calls, status updates, and end-to-end encryption remain free for everyone. WhatsApp Plus is essentially an optional add-on offering extras rather than restricting existing features.
The rollout is limited to a small group of iOS users on the latest version of the App Store, but wider availability is expected in the coming weeks.