Now Add Soundtracks to Your Status Updates and Make WhatsApp Your Go-To Messaging App on iOS
Meta-owned WhatsApp has announced a major feature update that allows users to add music to their WhatsApp Status updates, enhancing the popular feature with a new layer of personalization and creativity. Alongside this, iPhone users now have the option to set WhatsApp as their default messaging and calling app, marking a key shift in iOS flexibility.
🎵 Add Music to Your WhatsApp Status
WhatsApp’s Status feature, similar to Instagram Stories or Snapchat Snaps, allows users to share photos, videos, and text that disappear after 24 hours. With the new update, users can now add background music to those updates using a built-in music library.
How It Works:
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While creating a new Status, a music note icon will appear at the top.
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Tapping it opens access to a library of songs available within WhatsApp.
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Users can select a short segment of their chosen track:
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Photo Status: Music plays for up to 15 seconds
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Video Status: Supports up to 60 seconds of background music
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This update is rolling out gradually, with availability expected worldwide in the coming weeks.
📱 WhatsApp Can Now Be Your Default Messaging App on iPhones
In a separate iOS-focused update, WhatsApp version 25.8.74 introduces support for setting the app as the default messaging and calling service on iPhones.
Key Highlights:
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Works on iPhones running iOS 18.2 and above
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Users can choose WhatsApp as their default for:
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Messaging
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Voice & Video Calls
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When WhatsApp is set as default:
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Tapping the message icon in your Contacts app will launch WhatsApp
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Initiating calls will default to WhatsApp voice/video, not FaceTime or Phone
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Initially expected to be exclusive to the EU under regulatory pressure, this feature is now available globally—giving users more choice and control within Apple’s ecosystem.
A Game-Changer for iPhone Users
This development reflects Apple’s growing openness to third-party services, and positions WhatsApp as a full-service communication platform, rivalling native apps in functionality. Combined with music-enhanced Status updates, WhatsApp continues to evolve far beyond its origins as a simple messaging tool.
How to Access the New Features
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For Music in Status: Update WhatsApp to the latest version via the App Store or Google Play, and look for the music icon when posting a Status.
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To Set WhatsApp as Default on iOS:
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Go to Settings > Default Apps
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Choose WhatsApp for Messaging and/or Calling
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Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.