Meta is testing a premium subscription service for WhatsApp, called "WhatsApp Plus," that offers cosmetic features and customization options for a monthly fee. According to reports from WABetaInfo, the subscription is being rolled out to a limited number of users as part of a testing phase.

The subscription service includes several premium features such as exclusive stickers, different app themes, custom app icons, and premium ringtones. Users who subscribe to the service can also pin up to 20 conversations, expanding beyond the current limit available to free users.

This move follows Meta's introduction of a similar premium subscription for Instagram earlier this year, indicating the company's broader strategy to diversify revenue streams beyond advertising. The WhatsApp subscription appears to focus primarily on aesthetic and quality-of-life improvements rather than core messaging functionality.

The pricing and specific rollout timeline for the subscription service have not been officially announced by Meta. The current testing phase suggests the company is evaluating user response and engagement with premium features before a wider launch.

WhatsApp's exploration of subscription services represents a significant shift for the messaging platform, which has historically operated without charging users directly for its core services. The company has previously explored business-focused revenue models but has not implemented consumer-facing subscriptions until now.