WhatsApp users may soon have to pay to use the app if they want an ad-free experience. The company is reportedly working on a new subscription plan that will allow users to avoid ads in WhatsApp Status updates and Channels. While details about the plan are still limited, it is expected to focus solely on providing an ad-free experience.

Ads Introduced Last Year

Meta began showing ads in WhatsApp Status and Channels last year, a move that faced significant backlash from users. Despite the criticism, Meta did not reverse the decision. Now, the company appears to be developing a subscription plan that allows users to pay for an ad-free experience. Evidence of this was spotted in the app’s code (version 2.26.3.9), suggesting that WhatsApp is actively working on the feature.

Focus on Removing Ads, Not Premium Features

Currently, there is no information on the pricing, features, or rollout timeline of the subscription plan. Reports indicate that the plan will focus only on removing ads, with little or no premium features included. The availability of the subscription is also uncertain. Previously, Meta launched ad-free subscription options on Facebook and Instagram in select regions due to regulatory pressure from the European Union. It is still unclear whether WhatsApp will roll out this subscription globally or restrict it to select markets.