WhatsApp is internally testing a paid subscription tier called "Meta One," according to code discovered within the latest Android beta version of the app. The finding, reported by WABetaInfo and corroborated by multiple technology publications, suggests Meta is exploring a monetisation model for WhatsApp that goes beyond its existing business tools, potentially introducing premium features behind a paywall for individual users.
What the Code Reveals
Strings found within WhatsApp's Android beta reference a subscription plan called "Meta One," with associated text indicating users would receive access to exclusive features in exchange for a recurring monthly fee. The discovered references mention a 30-day free trial period before billing begins, and include a prompt asking users to confirm they understand the trial terms before proceeding. The code also references a "Manage Subscription" interface, suggesting the plan would integrate with existing app store billing systems on Android.
No pricing details, feature list, or launch timeline have been found in the code or confirmed by Meta.
What Features Could Be Included
While Meta has not officially described what Meta One would offer, analysts and developers tracking the beta suggest the subscription could bundle premium AI features, including enhanced versions of Meta AI within WhatsApp chats, along with expanded storage, advanced customisation options, or priority customer support. Meta has been steadily integrating its AI assistant across WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook, and a subscription model could serve as a way to offer deeper AI capabilities to users willing to pay.
Meta's Monetisation Context
WhatsApp, which Meta acquired in 2014 for $19 billion, originally charged users a nominal annual fee before scrapping the model in 2016 and shifting to a free, ad-free service funded primarily through its business API. Since then, Meta has generated revenue from WhatsApp primarily through WhatsApp Business, charging companies for customer communication tools, automated messaging, and verified business profiles.
A consumer subscription tier would mark a significant shift in how Meta approaches WhatsApp's revenue model. Unlike Facebook and Instagram, WhatsApp does not carry advertising within its core messaging interface, making a subscription the most straightforward path to direct consumer monetisation.
The move also aligns with a broader industry trend. Both Apple and Google have expanded subscription bundles, Apple One and Google One respectively, that package services and storage across their ecosystems. A "Meta One" plan could similarly bundle benefits across WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook under a single monthly charge.
No Official Confirmation
Meta has not commented on the discovery or confirmed any plans to launch a paid WhatsApp subscription. Features found in beta code do not always make it to public release, and the company routinely tests functionality that is later shelved or substantially modified. All details remain speculative until an official announcement is made.