WhatsApp is testing Coloured Text Status Feature just like Facebook

Late last year, You know how all of a sudden Facebook feed started filling up with status updates that had colorful backgrounds on its Android app. Now, the same feature has been spotted on WhatsApp as well, and while currently it’s in beta, it can be expected to arrive for all users soon.

To try these new colorful text statuses, you have to head into the Status tab and look for the floating pencil button on the bottom right. I don't have it on my phone even though I'm on the latest 2.17.291 beta version, but our tipster is seeing it on that same version, so it could be a server side switch or it might require you clear app data to show up. I don't mess with my WhatsApp installation so I'm afraid I can't test that theory, but do let us know if you manage to make it show doing that.

Android Police was first tipped about this feature, and it is showing up in Android beta version 2.17.291. The report states that even though you might be on this latest version on the WhatsApp Android beta app, it is possible that you may not see this feature. It is presumably a server side switch from WhatsApp's end, so only select users are seeing it now even in beta. We can't see it either. In any case, few users are now seeing a floating pen icon in the Status tab at the bottom of the screen, right above the camera icon. Clicking on the pen icon brings up the option to type a status, choose a font, emoji, and the background colour as well.

Adding emojis (left), typing text (middle), and the end result (right).

The new colored text status (I don't know what else to call it) screen has three icons for adding emojis, selecting the font, and changing the background color. After you've typed your text and messed with those to find your perfect fit, you tap the green send button to post it as your status.

As I said, this appears to be a server-side test so your mileage may vary on whether or not the feature is live for you. It doesn't hurt to be on the latest WhatsApp beta (APK Mirror or official Play Store beta program) to make sure the odds of seeing it are in your favor.

The revamped WhatsApp Status feature was launched in February, and has managed to achieve more than 250 million daily active users in such a short span, much more than what Snapchat itself enjoys currently.