Epiphanus Obia
WhatsApp users may soon start paying for some features on the platform, as its parent company Meta Platforms begins testing a new subscription service.
The feature, called WhatsApp Plus, started rolling out on April 20, 2026, to a small group of Android beta users. It offers paid add-ons, including custom themes, more pinned chats, and better chat organisation tools.
For now, the basics are not changing. Sending messages, making calls, and end-to-end encryption will remain free for all users.
But the test marks a shift for WhatsApp, especially for users in Nigeria, where the app is used daily for chatting, running small businesses, and staying connected at low cost.
At the moment, the paid features are mostly about personalisation, not new ways to message people. However, the move suggests that more advanced tools could eventually come at a price.
Meanwhile, this is not entirely new. WhatsApp used to charge a small yearly fee before it was acquired by Facebook (now Meta), but that was later removed as the app became free to grow its user base.
Now, Meta appears to be trying a different approach: keeping the core service free while charging for optional upgrades. Similar models already exist on other platforms, where users pay for extra features while basic use remains free.
For many Nigerians who rely on WhatsApp for everyday communication and business, the key question will be how far this goes. While current features are optional, future updates, especially business tools, could introduce paid tiers that some users may feel compelled to adopt.
Meta is yet to announce when, or if, the subscription will roll out widely, and how much it will cost.
For now, users can still use WhatsApp as they always have. But the test signals a possible future where some parts of the app come at a price.