WhatsApp’s latest Android beta, version 2.26.18.5, points to a new widget built around status updates and the people who shared them. The feature is still under development, and it is not available to beta testers yet.
Android beta 2.26.18.5 surfaces a status-sharing widget
The build, released through the Google Play Beta Program, does not add a visible new feature for testers right now. Instead, it exposes work on a widget meant to surface status updates in a more direct way.
The key detail is simple: the widget is designed to show who shared status updates. That puts status content closer to the home screen experience, though WhatsApp has not made the widget available in the beta itself.
No user-facing rollout in this build yet
For people already on the beta channel, 2.26.18.5 does not change daily use. There is nothing new to tap or test in the build, and the widget remains off limits to beta testers.
What remains unclear about the widget
WhatsApp has not shown how the widget will look or where it will sit in the interface. It is also unclear whether the feature will have a specific Android version cutoff, be limited to certain devices, or roll out to only part of the user base at launch.
Release timing has not been confirmed, and it is not yet clear whether the widget will stay on Android or eventually arrive on other platforms too. WhatsApp is preparing the status widget for a future release, not shipping it yet.
About the author
Samarth Agrawal is an AI and technology professional who writes about WhatsApp, automation, and emerging AI trends. He focuses on simplifying complex tech updates into practical insights for businesses, creators, and everyday users
