WhatsApp may soon allow you to reply to status messages, mute them

As the focus on mobile increases, Facebook-owned WhatsApp looks to engage mobile users with new features such as interaction with status messages.

As the focus on mobile increases, Facebook-owned WhatsApp looks to engage mobile users with new features such as interaction with status messages.

Facebook-owned WhatsApp maybe finally taking after its parent company to turn more into a social networking zone, as reports suggest that the Jan Koum-founded instant messaging app may finally allow you to reply to status messages and in fact mute them from specified users.

According to new leaks from WABetaInfo, WhatsApp may soon let you mute and unmute status notifications for specific users, and even let you view the mute list if required. It will also let you reply to status messages, a feature that seems to be inspired from Snapchat Stories.

WhatsApp beta for Windows Phone 2.17.44+: replying to statuses published by your friends. (DISABLED BY DEFAULT). #whatsappbeta pic.twitter.com/bl1KiWiQDh

— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) February 4, 2017

Read: Whatsapp usage hits all-time high in India, 14 bn messages sent on New Year's eve

WABetaInfo in its shared screenshots of a version of WhatsApp beta for Windows Phone 2.17.40+ showcases a button that helps to mute/unmute status alerts. Once you choose to mute the status alert, the statuses of those contacts won't show up in your Status section (a feature that is expected to arrive soon). This will also stop you from getting push notifications for the particular set of users whenever they change their statuses.

However, you will be able to reverse your decision for any user anytime via a list that shows the muted users.

WhatsApp beta for Android 2.17.46: added the "mute" shortcut for Status (DISABLED BY DEFAULT) #whatsappbeta pic.twitter.com/4dEbiEzIfW

— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) February 5, 2017

Read: WhatsApp stops working in older iPhones, Android handsets

Also, WABetaInfo claims that you'll be able to reply to statuses as well, and have a conversation, just like on Snapchat Stories. The mute ability was also seen on WhatsApp beta for Android 2.17.46 version as well.

The new WhatsApp Statuses has also surprisingly been seen on many versions of Android and iOS as well. The feature is essentially looking to notify users when one of their contacts changes their status message.

Further, the Android app is tipped to get a separate tab for Statuses, joining the existing Chats, Calls, and Contacts tab.