Meta is reportedly developing a paid subscription option that would remove ads from WhatsApp, according to new findings in the app’s code. This move signals a potential expansion of Meta’s monetization strategy for the popular messaging platform, which began testing ads in its Status and Channels features last year.
New text strings discovered in WhatsApp version 2.26.3.9 explicitly reference a subscription service that removes advertisements from Status and Channels. The code suggests users may be offered a choice between continuing to use these features for free with ads or paying a monthly fee for an ad-free experience.
One discovered message also mentions pricing changes linked to Meta’s Accounts Centre, indicating a formal subscription system is in the works. This follows Meta’s existing model for Facebook and Instagram, which offer ad-free tiers in select regions for a monthly charge.
Meta introduced ads to WhatsApp Status and Channels in limited testing last year, drawing criticism from some users. Despite the backlash, the company has continued to roll out ads to more users as it seeks new revenue streams.
It remains unclear how much an ad-free WhatsApp subscription would cost or which countries would have access to it. Meta has previously restricted its ad-free offerings on other platforms to specific regions, a pattern that may continue with WhatsApp. The company has not made any official announcement regarding this feature.
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