WhatsApp is introducing a feature for Android beta testers that allows them to add a link to their Facebook profile on their WhatsApp account. The update, part of Meta’s platform integration strategy, is designed to facilitate cross-platform discovery and connection.
The functionality is being introduced to select users through the WhatsApp beta for Android update, version 2.25.29.16. Feature tracker WABetaInfo first reported on the change, which is being distributed gradually to beta testers. This phased approach means not all testers have access simultaneously; Gadgets 360 reported it could not confirm the feature’s presence after installing the latest beta software. This staggered release method allows for testing of new capabilities before a broader launch to the general user base.
Once the feature is enabled on an account, testers can navigate to their profile page to attach their Facebook account link. The addition of this link is entirely optional for all users. For those who choose to add it, there is an option to verify the link through the Accounts Centre, which confirms that the user owns the associated Facebook profile. A verified link is distinguished by a small icon, serving as confirmation that the same individual controls both the WhatsApp and Facebook accounts. In contrast, an unverified link is displayed with a generic icon and shows the full URL, offering no official proof of ownership. A user’s experience within the messaging app is not impacted by choosing to add an unverified link or no link at all.
WhatsApp provides users with specific controls over the visibility of their shared Facebook profile link. These options are managed within the application’s privacy settings. To access them, a user navigates to Settings, then Privacy, and selects the Links menu. Within this section, users can configure who is permitted to see the link on their profile. The available settings allow the link to be visible to everyone, restricted to only saved contacts, or shown only to a custom list of specific individuals. Users also have the option to keep it entirely private.
The groundwork for this functionality was observed in a prior beta release, version 2.25.26.12, where the platform began internal tests for linking Facebook profiles. The current rollout to a public beta audience indicates that the company is preparing for a wider, general release in the coming weeks or months. This development follows a similar capability previously introduced that allows users to add and display their Instagram profile links. The addition of Facebook linking is consistent with Meta’s overarching strategy to create greater interconnection between its various social media and messaging platforms.
