WhatsApp Plus is an official, optional monthly subscription from Meta that adds extras to WhatsApp Messenger: exclusive stickers with special effects, app themes and icons, up to 20 pinned chats, exclusive ringtones for important contacts and custom alerts for chat lists. It's part of Meta One, available only in limited locations, and only on the WhatsApp Messenger app for iPhone and Android, not on WhatsApp Business.
Don't confuse it with the unofficial app of the same name. The official subscription lives inside WhatsApp under Settings, and WhatsApp warns that using or linking your account to unofficial versions of WhatsApp may get your account temporarily or permanently banned. If you came here about the modded app, our page on whether the WhatsApp Plus mod is safe covers the risks.
What's included
| Benefit | What WhatsApp says it does |
|---|---|
| Exclusive stickers | Stickers with special effects you can share |
| App themes and icons | Change how WhatsApp looks with unique themes and app icons |
| Extra pinned chats | Pin up to 20 chats so important conversations stay at the top |
| Exclusive ringtones | Set special ringtones for your most important contacts |
| Chat list customisation | Custom alerts, ringtones and themes for your chat lists |
WhatsApp is clear that benefits and availability vary by region and account, and that the benefits available to you are shown before you subscribe. It also says the core app stays free: messaging and calling don't change. You can already set up WhatsApp chat lists and chat themes for free; Plus adds alerts, ringtones and extra themes on top.
Who can subscribe
- You must be at least 13 years old.
- You need a phone number from a country where WhatsApp Plus is available.
- You need an active account on WhatsApp Messenger. Business accounts aren't eligible.
- You must agree to the Meta Subscription Terms of Service and follow WhatsApp's terms and Meta's Community Standards.
- You can only subscribe on iPhone or Android, not from a computer or mobile browser.
- Only one WhatsApp Plus subscription can be active per WhatsApp account.
WhatsApp also says subscriptions only work on official versions of WhatsApp Messenger downloaded from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
How to subscribe and find your benefits
- Update WhatsApp Messenger to the latest version.
- Look for WhatsApp Plus in the app. If you can't see it, WhatsApp says it may not be available to you yet.
- Review the benefits shown for your region and account, and any first-time promotion.
- Subscribe through your app store.
- Go to Settings, then Subscriptions, then WhatsApp Plus to see your benefits. Tap a benefit to start using it.
Billing and renewal
| Rule | What WhatsApp says |
|---|---|
| Renewal | Automatic every month unless you cancel |
| Charge date | The same date each month as your first purchase |
| Short months | If your date doesn't exist that month, such as the 31st, you're charged on the last day |
| Cancelling | At least 24 hours before the next payment date to avoid the next charge |
| Where to manage it | The same app, device type and account you bought it on |
WhatsApp's help pages don't list a price; you see it when you subscribe, and a promotion may apply the first time. On Android, WhatsApp says payments are processed through the Google Play Store, so payment problems are fixed there.
When WhatsApp Plus isn't working
| Problem | What to try first |
|---|---|
| You can't see WhatsApp Plus | It may not be available to you yet. Keep the app updated |
| You can't subscribe | Check age, country, account type and device, update the app, then wait a few minutes and try again |
| Benefits don't appear | Close and reopen WhatsApp, check you're on the subscribed account and on a phone, and check the subscription is active |
| Payment declined | Check the card details and funds, use your full legal name on WhatsApp, or add another payment method in Google Play |
| Two charges in a month | Check for a pending authorisation hold or a second subscription on another WhatsApp account |
| Charged after cancelling | Check you got the cancellation message and that you cancelled more than 24 hours before the payment date |
WhatsApp also suggests checking that an unfamiliar charge isn't for a different Meta subscription, such as Meta Verified.
How to cancel
Cancel through the same setup you used to subscribe. If you can't cancel inside WhatsApp Messenger, WhatsApp says to cancel directly through the Google Play Store subscription settings on Android, signed into the Google account you used to buy it. Cancel at least 24 hours before your next payment date, and look for the system message confirming the cancellation.
My verdict
WhatsApp Plus is cosmetic and organisational: WhatsApp says the core messaging and calling stay free and unchanged. If you live in your chats and want 20 pinned conversations and custom alerts for key people, it's a tidy upgrade. If not, the free chat lists and themes already do most of the job, and you should never install a third-party app with the same name to get these features.
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For the rest of the series, see the WhatsApp Help: 43 Guides to Transfers, Backups, Business and Privacy.
Frequently asked questions
Is WhatsApp Plus official?
Yes, the subscription is. WhatsApp Plus is an optional subscription offered by Meta inside WhatsApp Messenger. Unofficial apps using the same name are different, and WhatsApp warns they can get your account banned.
How many chats can I pin with WhatsApp Plus?
WhatsApp says subscribers can pin up to 20 chats so important conversations stay at the top.
Can I get WhatsApp Plus on WhatsApp Business?
No. WhatsApp says WhatsApp Plus is only available on WhatsApp Messenger, not on the WhatsApp Business app.
When will I be charged for WhatsApp Plus?
Every month on the same date as your original purchase. If that date doesn't exist in a month, you're charged on the last day of the month.
Why can't I find WhatsApp Plus in my app?
WhatsApp says it may not be available to you yet, as it's only in limited locations. Keep WhatsApp updated so you get new features when they arrive.
