Meta Launches WhatsApp's First Subscription Service in India With Custom Themes, New Icons and Premium Personalisation
For more than a decade, WhatsApp has been completely free of charge to use with chat, voice calls and video calls without any subscription charges. Now Meta has launched WhatsApp Plus, the first paid subscription service on the platform and allows users to personalize the app with special themes, icons, ringtones and chat management features.
The subscription has been rolled out to Android and iOS users in India at ₹79 per month, and Meta’s latest move to premium experiences across its ecosystem follows similar subscription services for Facebook and Instagram.
Unlike other paid services that unlock new messaging features, WhatsApp Plus is all about customisation, and not changing how the app works.
WhatsApp Plus subscribers can choose from 18 exclusive colour themes including Vibrant Blue, Royal Purple, Forest Green and Fuchsia Pink to make the app look fresh. And the subscription also includes 14 new app icons to replace WhatsApp's familiar green logo with different designs.
It also includes 10 premium notification ringtones, exclusive sticker packs, and improved chat management tools. One of the biggest functional changes is the ability to pin up to 20 chats (as opposed to the limited number on the free version). Subscribers can also create and organise chat lists for easier conversation management.
Moreover, WhatsApp Plus does not affect any of the main services of the app. End-to-end encryption, messaging, voice and video calls, Channels, Communities and Status updates are all free and unchanged for everybody.
How To Subscribe To WhatsApp Plus
Subscribing is simple:
Open WhatsApp. Go to Settings. Tap Subscriptions. Select WhatsApp Plus. Review payment details. Confirm the purchase through Google Play Store.
Meta is offering the first month free, after which the subscription renews at ₹79 per month. If the option doesn’t appear in your app, the rollout might still be making it to your account.
Is WhatsApp Plus Worth Paying For?
WhatsApp Plus is worth the money on the basis of how much personalisation you value.
If you spend hours on WhatsApp every day and enjoy customising your apps, the subscription offers plenty of cosmetic upgrades that make the experience feel more personal. And the added chat management tools, especially the chat pin limit and custom chat lists, may also appeal to heavy users.
But WhatsApp Plus doesn't come with any essential features for the average user. Messaging, calling, privacy protections and all the major communication tools are free, so even subscribers who don't sign up for the subscription will not experience any missing functionality.
Meta's strategy is clear: instead of putting the best features behind a paywall, it is monetising optional personalisation and keeping WhatsApp’s core experience free for everyone. Whether users are willing to pay ₹79 every month for a more customised interface will determine the long-term success of WhatsApp's first premium subscription.
