WhatsApp is turning up the volume on its popular Status feature, announcing a global rollout of music integration that lets users add songs to their daily updates – beginning with a new track by Ed Sheeran.
For the first time, WhatsApp users can add soundtracks to their photos and videos posted via the Status feature, providing a more immersive and personal way to share life’s moments. The new tool, accessible via a music note icon within the Status creation screen, allows users to select from a library of millions of tracks and customise which part of the song to feature – up to 15 seconds for images and up to 60 seconds for videos.
The move brings WhatsApp in line with rivals like Instagram and Snapchat, both of which already offer music stickers for stories. With WhatsApp Status boasting over 450 million daily users globally, the addition marks a significant expansion of the platform’s multimedia capabilities.
To mark the launch, WhatsApp has teamed up with British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran to debut his upcoming track Azizam exclusively for Status updates. This strategic partnership not only offers fans early access to Sheeran’s music but also signals WhatsApp’s intent to make Status more culturally relevant.
As with all WhatsApp features, music Status updates are end-to-end encrypted, ensuring that neither WhatsApp nor Meta can see or hear what’s being shared.
The feature is rolling out globally starting this week, with availability expanding across devices in the coming weeks.
