WhatsApp is testing a small tweak that could make your status updates a little less… quiet. In the latest iOS beta, version 25.27.10.70, there’s now a shortcut that lets you jump straight into a chat with someone who viewed your status. WABetaInfo first spotted the change.
On the surface, it feels like a convenience upgrade. But the bigger question is whether this tiny button will actually change how people use status—or if it’s one of those updates we forget about in a month.
What It Looks Like in Action
Here’s the scenario: you open your status viewers list, and instead of just seeing names, there’s now a chat bubble icon next to each person. Tap it, and you’re straight into a private conversation with them.
As NewsBytes explained, the idea is to shave off a few extra taps. Normally, you’d leave the status screen, go into chats, scroll or search, and only then message the person. Now it’s instant.
At the moment, it’s still limited to iOS beta testers. ARY News notes that Android users already had something similar, so in a way, iOS is just catching up.
Why It Could Be Useful
For anyone who actually uses status as a conversation starter, this is great. You post a story about dinner plans, your friend views it, and you ping them with one tap—done. No friction.
It also makes status feel less one-way. Honestly, a lot of people treat WhatsApp Status like Instagram Stories but with fewer replies. A quick reply option could change that. And as iGeeksBlog pointed out, it also puts iOS and Android on equal footing.
The Catch
Now, to be fair, not everyone is going to love this. The obvious drawback is clutter. If you get 50 people viewing your status, that’s 50 extra chat icons. It could look messy fast.
Then there’s the social pressure. If someone knows you saw their status and you have an easy button to respond, it’s harder to ignore. For some, that’s fine—it sparks more conversations. For others, it’s one more nudge to reply when they’d rather not.
And let’s not pretend this changes privacy. If someone can already see your status, this doesn’t give you new control. It just makes it easier for them to reach out.
Why WhatsApp Is Doing This
This shortcut isn’t just about saving a couple of taps. It’s part of WhatsApp’s push to make status more interactive. We’ve seen similar moves recently, like resharing controls that let you stop people forwarding your updates, highlighted by WABetaInfo.
Taken together, the picture is clear: WhatsApp doesn’t want status to be passive. It wants people chatting around it, turning quick updates into conversations.
FAQs
Q1: Which version of WhatsApp has this feature?
It’s live in iOS beta version 25.27.10.70 via TestFlight.
Q2: Is it coming to Android?
Yes. Android already had something like this, so iOS is just catching up.
Q3: Can the shortcut be turned off?
Not yet. No toggle has been spotted in the beta.
Conclusion
It’s a small change, but one that points to a bigger trend. WhatsApp is clearly nudging users to treat status as more than a silent slideshow. Whether this shortcut actually makes chatting easier or just adds another button remains to be seen.
Key Takeaway: Handy for some, invisible for others—but definitely a sign of where WhatsApp wants status to go.
