WhatsApp Plus is coming: a paid subscription that gives your messaging app a personal upgrade on iPhone and Android. This optional package offers exclusive tweaks for more personalization like custom themes, exclusive ringtones, more chats pins and premium stickers, while the familiar free version complete remains intact.
According to various sources started the phased rollout this week for a select group of users in Europe, including the Netherlands, with monthly costs of €2.49 via the App Store or Play Store. With the plus subscription you get more out of WhatsApp and, above all, you get more extensive personalization options. Nothing changes for free users.
WhatsApp Plus: optional
WhatsApp Plus is completely optional: you choose whether to activate the subscription, and free users will not notice any of the changes. All existing features such as unlimited chat, calling, end-to-end encryption and group sizes will remain exactly the same, with no restrictions or ads in chats (possibly in the Updates tab).
Premium features like custom colors, stickers and ringtones only work for subscribers, but are always visible for others – so you don’t lose contact with non-paying friends.
Customize the WhatsApp icon
The WhatsApp icon has been green by default for years, but with a Plus subscription you can choose from many different alternatives, such as colorful options, gradient designs or styles that match your home screen. The WhatsApp widgets on your iPhone or in the dark view also display the app symbol correctly. You can easily change the app icon from the WhatsApp settings and it syncs directly on all your devices.
Change colors and themes
WhatsApp Plus lets you ditch the boring green design by using more than twenty colors for chat bubbles, menus, buttons and backgrounds. Whether you choose soft pastel shades, a dark mode with warm colors or a cheerful gradient: everything automatically adapts to your iOS or Android theme.
These themes not only provide a beautiful look, but also custom chat overviews and notifications, so you have a smoother experience. You can even change themes per chat or save favorites, which is useful if you switch between work and private life a lot.
Premium stickers
Discover unique sticker packs with advanced animations, 3D effects and themed sets available only for subscribers to use and share. These premium stickers are visible to all your contacts; even non-subscribers see them in their full animated splendor, adding extra expression to your daily chats. From festive GIF-style stickers to professional graphics, the collection grows monthly and integrates seamlessly with your iPhone keyboard for quick access.
Exclusive ringtones
Plus subscribers get access to a collection of premium ringtones and notification sounds, especially for WhatsApp messages, group chats or calls. You can hear immediately whether it’s an important message or a relaxing update from the family, with sounds that go beyond the regular iPhone sounds. This unique set of at least ten variants works well with your settings and allows specific sounds for different chats.
Chat lists with WhatsApp Plus
WhatsApp helps you better organize your conversations into different chat lists, such as lists for work, family or hobbies. This way you keep important chats separate without missing anything. With WhatsApp Plus you get useful extra tools to manage multiple chats at the same time.
Imagine creating a list of all your work colleagues and applying the same chat theme to all conversations with one tap. You can also set one sound for messages and a fixed ringtone for calls, so everything in that list is clear and recognizable.
Pin more chats
Instead of the standard three chats, Plus lets you pin up to twenty conversations to the top of your list, perfect for busy users with multiple group chats, work contacts or family conversations. Just drag them up and sort by priority for instant access.
Availability WhatsApp Plus
WhatsApp Plus is being rolled out in phases and is currently available to a select group of iPhone and Android users. Check in the WhatsApp app under Settings ▸ Subscriptions whether the option is available for you. You can activate the subscription directly via the App Store or Google Play Store, with prices varying by region; however, we have already seen €2.49 per month. WhatsApp Plus offers a one-week free trial. For more information, please visit the WhatsApp FAQ page.