Source: Luke Filipowicz/iMore

WhatsApp is working on a change to its iPhone app that will make it more obvious to people when their friends have posted an updated Status. The change is currently available to those who are part of the WhatsApp beta program, but will likely be rolled out to everyone in due course.

While the WhatsApp Status feature is similar to Instagram Stories, it’s one that isn’t used anywhere near as much. That might be why the instant messaging outfit seems keen to make the feature more accessible, likely to help drive its use. Now, WABetaInfo reports that a new beta changes things so that new Status updates appear in the regular chat feed, making them easier to spot. A similar change has already been made to the latest desktop beta version of the app.

WhatsApp is planning to introduce the same feature on iOS at a later date. This is not so surprising: WhatsApp is used to developing the same feature for all their platforms, and probably there will be news about WhatsApp beta for Android very soon. But… how does it work? When the feature will be released and someone from your contacts list publishes a status update, it will also be visible right within the chats list without opening the Status tab. At the moment, even muted status updates are highlighted in the chats list, but this may be temporary: since this feature is under development and has not been rolled out yet, WhatsApp may change the way the feature works before the release.

Here’s how WhatsApp describes the underused Status feature:

Status allows you to share text, photo, video, and GIF updates that disappear after 24 hours, and that is also end-to-end encrypted. In order to send and receive status updates to and from your contacts, you and your contacts must have each other’s phone numbers saved in your phones’ address books.

WhatsApp is among the best iPhone apps for people who need to stay in touch with friends and family who use Android devices and Windows PC hardware, but the Status update feature isn’t a main one for users. WhatsApp will be hoping that changes following this update.