WhatsApp is launching a premium WhatsApp Plus subscription in select territories, reportedly adding decorative themes along with enhanced features like being able to pin up to 20 chats.
According to WhatsApp’s customer-support pages, WhatsApp Plus includes unique stickers, app themes, icons and ringtones. Subscribers can also customize chat lists with alerts, ringtones and themes.
The website doesn’t reference pricing or which territories currently have access, but WABetaInfo’s analysis of the beta for this service found pages showing a 2.49 euro monthly price in Europe or $29 per month in Mexico. A Meta spokesperson said that the limited launch of WhatsApp Plus will help gather feedback to see how users respond to it.
“WhatsApp is testing a new, optional subscription called WhatsApp Plus, designed for users who want more ways to organize and personalize their experience. Premium features include expanded pinned chats, custom lists, new chat themes and more. We’re starting with a small test to gather feedback and ensure we’re building something people find genuinely valuable,” the spokesperson said.
WhatsApp’s new subscription arrives as other chat apps also find new ways to monetize their services, ideally with optional upgrades that don’t change how their core services work. Signal recently launched a $2 monthly secure backup service, and Telegram launched its own subscription back in 2022.
Back Tap lets you trigger actions with double or triple taps.
You can customize it to open apps, controls, or shortcuts.
It works on most iPhones and even through many cases.
The iPhone has a button on its back. You can’t see it, but with a double or triple tap on the Apple logo, you can open an app, access a system menu, or launch a shortcut. This feature is called Back Tap, and it’s actually been available since iOS 14. The best part is it’s completely customizable. You can set it to do whatever you want, and change it at any time.
I first tried Back Tap years ago, and it quickly became one of those features I use every day. Instead of swiping through menus or hunting for apps, I just tap the back of my phone. It’s one of the fastest ways to get things done.
How to use Back Tap on iPhone
What you’ll need: An iPhone 8 or newer running the latest version of iOS.
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
Scroll to the bottom and select Back Tap. Now you can start customizing the back button on your iPhone.
There should be a long list of actions available under Double Tap and Triple Tap, including system controls, accessibility features, and even some apps. Pick one, and it’ll instantly be active. Just tap the back of your phone to trigger it.
Tip: Tap directly on the Apple logo (or near the center of the back of your phone if you’re using a case), and be quick and deliberate with your taps.
Back Tap supports a wide range of actions, but the best setup really depends on how you use your phone.
At a basic level, you can control system features, like opening Control Center and Notification Center. You can also trigger a screenshot, lock rotation, or adjust volume. Accessibility features are available as well, including VoiceOver, Zoom, AssistiveTouch, and Background Sounds. Popular apps are supported, too, including ChatGPT, Snapchat, Amazon, and more.
The most powerful option is probably Shortcuts. If you create a custom shortcut, Back Tap can run it instantly. That means you can combine multiple actions into one tap. For example, you could open ChatGPT and start a voice session, or take a screenshot and save it to a specific folder. This is where Back Tap goes from convenient to genuinely useful and fun to customize.
You get both double tap and triple tap, so you can use them differently. For example, you might use double tap for something you do constantly, like opening Snapchat, and triple tap for something less frequent, like triggering a shortcut.
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
Will Back Tap work with the case on my iPhone?
Yes. It works through most cases, including thicker ones, though sensitivity can vary slightly. If you have a PopSocket or another grip covering the back of your phone, however, you likely won’t be able to trigger Back Tap.
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