Users Can Now Post Music, Photo Collages in WhatsApp Status Update

WhatsApp on Friday unveiled a suite of tools aimed at boosting creativity and engagement on its Status feature, the company said in a statement. The additions include a photo collage editor, music-focused posts, customizable stickers and a social prompt function, all protected by the app’s end-to-end encryption.

Layout, the first of the new tools, enables users to arrange up to six photographs into a single collage. The built-in editor offers resizing and positioning controls intended to simplify multi-image storytelling for vacations, events or daily life.

With the More with Music feature, users can spotlight a track in their Status. A music sticker shows a current listen, while an option to foreground a chosen song lets users set the tone of their update with a soundtrack.

Photo Stickers lets individuals convert any picture into a sticker. After selecting an image, users can crop or scale it before placing it anywhere on their Status, giving them granular control over visual accents.

The Add Yours function turns Status into a participatory thread. Users post a question or invitation—such as “Share your workspace”—and contacts reply with their own images. Replies can then be passed along through each participant’s Status, creating a chain of shared posts.

WhatsApp said the new Status tools will roll out globally in the coming months, with availability varying by region. The company did not specify exact dates for when each feature would appear on users’ devices.

Introduced in 2017, Status lets users share photos, videos and text that disappear after 24 hours. The feature is visible only to selected contacts, and like all WhatsApp content, remains encrypted between sender and recipient.

The updates reinforce Meta’s emphasis on private, controlled sharing. By adding collage layouts and music integration, WhatsApp seeks to keep pace with competing services that offer similar creative options.

Analysts say the enhancements could drive more frequent use of Status among close contacts. “These tools give users fresh ways to communicate without leaving the encrypted environment they trust,” said mobile-app researcher Lina Patel.

WhatsApp said it will monitor user feedback and refine the tools before a full global release. The company plans to issue software updates automatically, requiring no manual download for the new Status features.