Meta Adds New Features To WhatsApp

Meta has announced new features for WhatsApp as part of its new Meta One subscription service, giving users more options to personalise the app, manage chats and handle backups.

The announcement was made on September 15, 2026, when Meta introduced Meta One, a subscription service bringing together more than 50 features across WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and Meta AI. The standard WhatsApp experience will remain free, while some additional features will be available to subscribers.

WhatsApp Plus Gets More Features

The new WhatsApp features are being introduced through WhatsApp Plus, Meta's paid subscription option for users who want additional features beyond the standard app.

WhatsApp Plus includes extra personalisation options such as custom themes and icons, special sticker effects and the ability to pin more chats. Meta is now preparing more features for the service, including new options for backups and chat management.

Chat And Media Backup Storage Is Coming

One of the new features Meta is preparing to test is additional storage for WhatsApp chat and media backups.

This is aimed at users who want more space to keep backups of their conversations and media files. Meta has not presented the feature as a replacement for the existing free WhatsApp experience. Instead, it is part of the additional features being tested through WhatsApp Plus.

WhatsApp Will Test Focus Schedules

Another upcoming feature is Focus Schedules.

The feature will allow users to set specific times for selected chats to be muted or hidden. This could make it easier to keep certain conversations out of the way during periods such as work, study or sleep.

Rather than manually muting or hiding chats every time, users will be able to set a schedule for when those controls should apply.

More Personalisation For WhatsApp Users

WhatsApp Plus also gives subscribers more ways to change the appearance of the app.

Users can access additional themes, icons and sticker effects, while the option to pin more chats can make frequently used conversations easier to find.

These features are aimed at users who want more control over how WhatsApp looks and how their chats are organised.

Meta One Brings More Features Together

Meta One is not limited to WhatsApp.

The subscription service combines features from WhatsApp Plus, Instagram Plus and Facebook Plus, along with expanded access to some Meta AI tools. Meta says more than 50 features are available across its apps as the service begins rolling out.

The higher Meta One plans also provide greater access to AI features for creating and editing images and generating videos using Meta's Muse models.

WhatsApp Will Remain Free

The introduction of WhatsApp Plus does not mean that users have to pay to continue using WhatsApp.

Meta says the core experience across its apps will remain free. The paid subscriptions are for users who want additional features and expanded access to certain tools.

This means users who do not want the extra features can continue using WhatsApp without subscribing to WhatsApp Plus.

What WhatsApp Users Need To Know

The latest changes are mainly about giving users more options rather than changing the basic way WhatsApp works.

WhatsApp Plus subscribers will get access to additional personalisation features, while Meta is preparing tests for chat and media backup storage and Focus Schedules. Availability of specific features can depend on the user's account, location and rollout stage.

For regular WhatsApp users, messaging and other core features will continue to be available without a subscription.

WhatsApp To Require iOS 15.5 From November 30: These 5 iPhones Must Be Updated

WhatsApp users with some older iPhone models will need to check their software before November 30, 2026, as the messaging app is set to require iOS 15.5 or later.

The change means users on an affected iPhone running an older version of iOS will need to update their device to continue using WhatsApp.

Five older iPhone models are particularly relevant to the change: the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, first-generation iPhone SE, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.

5 iPhones Affected By The WhatsApp Update

The five iPhone models users should check are:

• iPhone 6s
• iPhone 6s Plus
• iPhone SE (1st generation)
• iPhone 7
• iPhone 7 Plus

These models can run iOS 15.5 or later, meaning owners do not necessarily need to replace their phones because of the WhatsApp requirement.

What WhatsApp Users Need To Do

If you use one of these iPhones, the first thing to do is check the iOS version installed on your device.

Go to Settings > General > About and look for the iOS version.

You can also go to Settings > General > Software Update to check whether a newer version is available.

If your iPhone is running an older version, install the latest compatible update before the November 30 deadline.

What Happens If You Do Not Update?

WhatsApp will require iOS 15.5 or later from November 30, 2026.

This means an affected iPhone that remains on an unsupported version of iOS may no longer be able to use WhatsApp normally after the deadline.

However, the five iPhone models will not automatically stop working simply because they are older. The important factor is the version of iOS installed on the device.

You May Not Need To Buy A New iPhone

The good news for owners of these older iPhones is that they can run iOS 15.5 or later.

So, if you have an iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, first-generation iPhone SE, iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus, you may be able to continue using WhatsApp by updating the software.

If your particular device cannot install the required version of iOS, however, you may eventually need a newer iPhone to continue using WhatsApp.

How To Check For An iOS Update

You can check your iPhone for an available software update in a few steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General.
3. Select Software Update.
4. Check the version of iOS installed on your iPhone.
5. Install an available update if your device supports it.

Before updating, make sure your iPhone has enough battery power and is connected to a reliable Wi-Fi network.

Why WhatsApp Is Changing Its iOS Requirement

WhatsApp periodically ends support for older operating systems as the app develops and introduces new features.

Maintaining support for very old software can also limit the security and technical capabilities available to newer versions of the app.

By setting a minimum iOS requirement, WhatsApp can focus on versions of Apple's operating system that provide the features and security needed for continued support.

Check Your iPhone Before November 30

If you own one of the five iPhone models listed above, check its iOS version before November 30.

If your phone is running an older version, install the latest compatible update available. This will help ensure that you can continue using WhatsApp after the new requirement takes effect.

How To Stop WhatsApp From Automatically Downloading Files

WhatsApp can automatically download photos videos audio files and documents that people send to you. While this makes it easier to access files quickly it can also use your mobile data and take up valuable storage space on your phone.

If you are in several active WhatsApp groups you may receive many photos videos and documents that you do not need. Fortunately you can change WhatsApp settings to control which files are downloaded automatically.

You can choose whether media should download automatically when you are using mobile data Wi-Fi or roaming. You can also prevent downloaded WhatsApp media from appearing in your phone's gallery or Photos app.

What To Know Before Turning Off Automatic Downloads

WhatsApp has different settings for automatic downloads and media visibility.

The Media auto-download setting controls whether photos videos audio and documents are downloaded automatically. You can configure these settings separately for mobile data Wi-Fi and roaming.

The Media visibility setting on Android controls whether newly downloaded WhatsApp media appears in your phone's gallery. Turning it off does not stop WhatsApp from downloading the files.

On iPhone you can also control whether WhatsApp media is saved to your Photos app.

If your goal is to reduce mobile data usage you can disable automatic downloads when using mobile data. If you want to stop automatic downloads completely you can disable the relevant media types.

How To Stop WhatsApp From Automatically Downloading Files On Android

You can stop WhatsApp from automatically downloading photos videos audio and documents by changing the Media auto-download settings.

On your Android phone:

1. Open WhatsApp.
2. Tap the three dots in the top-right corner.
3. Tap Settings.
4. Select Storage and data.
5. Find Media auto-download.
6. Tap When using mobile data.
7. Untick the types of media you do not want downloaded automatically.
8. Tap OK.
9. Go back to Media auto-download.
10. Tap When connected on Wi-Fi.
11. Untick the media types you do not want downloaded automatically.
12. Tap OK.
13. Repeat the process under When roaming if necessary.

If you want to stop automatic downloads completely make sure the media types you do not want are disabled in each relevant option.

You can still download individual photos videos audio files or documents manually whenever you need them.

The exact appearance of these settings may vary depending on your Android phone and WhatsApp version.

How To Stop WhatsApp From Automatically Downloading Files On iPhone

iPhone users can also control which WhatsApp media is downloaded automatically.

To change the settings:

1. Open WhatsApp.
2. Tap Settings.
3. Tap Storage and Data.
4. Find Media Auto-Download.
5. Tap Photos.
6. Select Never.
7. Go back and tap Audio.
8. Select Never.
9. Go back and tap Videos.
10. Select Never.
11. Repeat the process for Documents if necessary.

When you select Never, WhatsApp will not automatically download that type of media. You can still tap the file when you want to download it.

How To Stop WhatsApp Photos From Appearing In Your Android Gallery

If your main problem is that WhatsApp photos and videos are filling your gallery you do not necessarily need to disable automatic downloads.

You can turn off Media visibility instead.

On Android:

1. Open WhatsApp.
2. Tap the three dots.
3. Tap Settings.
4. Select Chats.
5. Turn off Media visibility.

This prevents newly downloaded WhatsApp media from automatically appearing in your phone's gallery.

However it does not delete media that was already saved and does not stop WhatsApp from downloading new files.

How To Stop Media From A Specific WhatsApp Group Appearing In Your Gallery

You can also change media visibility for a particular WhatsApp chat or group on Android.

To do this:

1. Open the WhatsApp chat or group.
2. Tap the person's name or group name at the top.
3. Select Media visibility.
4. Choose No.
5. Confirm your choice.

This is useful if a particular group constantly sends photos and videos that you do not want appearing in your gallery.

How To Stop WhatsApp Photos From Being Saved To Your iPhone Photos App

On iPhone you can control whether WhatsApp media is saved to your Photos app.

Open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Chats.

Look for the option that controls saving WhatsApp media to your Photos library and turn it off.

This setting is separate from Media Auto-Download. Therefore you may need to change both settings if you want to prevent automatic downloads and automatic saving.

The exact wording may vary depending on your WhatsApp and iOS version.

How To Allow WhatsApp Downloads Only On Wi-Fi

If you have limited mobile data you do not have to stop every automatic download.

You can disable automatic downloads when using mobile data while allowing selected media to download automatically when connected to Wi-Fi.

On Android:

1. Open WhatsApp.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Select Storage and data.
4. Tap When using mobile data.
5. Disable the media types you do not want downloaded.
6. Go back and tap When connected on Wi-Fi.
7. Select the media types you want downloaded automatically.

This allows you to reduce mobile data usage without completely disabling automatic downloads.

How To Stop WhatsApp From Using Too Much Mobile Data

If your main concern is mobile data usage focus on the When using mobile data option under Media auto-download.

You can stop videos and documents from downloading automatically because they can consume more data than smaller files.

You can also disable all media types if you prefer to decide manually which files should be downloaded.

How To Delete WhatsApp Files That Have Already Been Downloaded

Turning off automatic downloads does not delete files that are already on your phone.

If WhatsApp has already used a lot of your storage you can review and delete unnecessary media through WhatsApp's storage management feature.

To check your WhatsApp storage:

1. Open WhatsApp.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Tap Storage and data.
4. Select Manage storage.
5. Review the chats and media using the most storage.
6. Select files you no longer need.
7. Delete the unwanted files.

Check the files carefully before deleting them because some may contain important information.

What To Do If WhatsApp Still Downloads Files Automatically

If WhatsApp continues downloading files after changing the settings check each Media auto-download option.

On Android check When using mobile data, When connected on Wi-Fi and When roaming.

Make sure the media types you want to stop are disabled in the relevant options.

Also remember that Media visibility does not stop WhatsApp from downloading files. It only controls whether downloaded media appears in your gallery.

If your problem is unwanted photos appearing in your gallery rather than mobile data usage then Media visibility may be the setting you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Stop WhatsApp From Automatically Downloading Videos?

Yes. Go to Settings > Storage and data > Media auto-download and disable automatic video downloads.

Can I Stop WhatsApp From Automatically Downloading Photos?

Yes. You can disable automatic photo downloads under Media auto-download.

Will Turning Off Auto-Download Delete My Existing Files?

No. Existing WhatsApp files will remain on your phone until you delete them.

Can I Still Download A File After Turning Off Auto-Download?

Yes. You can manually download any file whenever you need it.

Take Control Of Your WhatsApp Downloads

WhatsApp gives you several ways to control the files downloaded to your phone. If you want to save mobile data and storage you can turn off automatic downloads for the media types you do not need.

If your main problem is WhatsApp photos and videos appearing in your gallery you can change the media visibility or photo-saving settings instead.

You do not have to stop receiving files completely. After disabling automatic downloads you can still choose to download individual photos videos audio files or documents whenever you need them.

Adjusting these settings can help reduce unnecessary downloads keep your phone's storage under control and give you more control over the media you receive on WhatsApp.

How to Update WhatsApp on Android and iPhone

WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps worldwide, used by billions of people to stay connected. Like any app, it requires regular updates to deliver new features, improve performance, and strengthen security. Whether you’re using an Android device or an iPhone, updating WhatsApp is quick and straightforward. This article explains how to do it step by step.

How to Update WhatsApp on Android

1. Open the Google Play Store on your phone.

2. Tap the search bar and type WhatsApp.

3. If an update is available, you will see an Update button. Tap it.

4. Wait for the update to install, then open WhatsApp to start using the latest version.

Tip: To avoid manual updates, enable auto-updates in the Play Store. Go to Play Store → Settings → Network Preferences → Auto-update apps and select your preferred option.

How to Update WhatsApp on iPhone

1. Open the App Store on your device.

2. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.

3. Scroll down to view pending updates.

4. If WhatsApp appears in the list, tap Update.

5. Once installed, open WhatsApp to access the new features.

Tip: Enable automatic updates by going to Settings → App Store → App Updates and turning on auto-update.

Why You Should Keep WhatsApp Updated

• Security updates: Protect your chats and personal data.

• Latest features: Access new tools, emojis, and privacy options.

• Bug fixes: Enjoy smoother performance and fewer glitches.

Common Issues When Updating

• No update option: Your app is already up to date.

• Insufficient storage: Free up space before updating.

• Slow internet connection: Use a stable Wi-Fi network for faster downloads.

Updating WhatsApp on Android and iPhone is simple and ensures you always have the safest, most feature-rich version of the app. Regular updates keep your messaging experience smooth, secure, and up to date with the latest improvements.