WhatsApp to Let iOS Users Link Verified Instagram Profiles

WhatsApp to Introduce Instagram Profile Link Verification

Vikhyat·Published: August 11, 2025

WhatsApp is testing a feature for iOS that lets users link verified Instagram profiles, helping confirm authenticity and reduce impersonation risks.

Key Takeaways:

WhatsApp to verify linked Instagram profiles: A new iOS feature will add verified badges to linked Instagram accounts to reduce impersonation risks.
Current Instagram link setup lacks safeguards: At present, WhatsApp only allows pasting Instagram links in profiles without any ownership checks, which can be misused.
Verification will confirm account ownership: Instead of entering just a username, users will complete a verification process before the linked Instagram shows a verified badge.
Boosts trust for public-facing accounts: Verified cross-links will help public figures, influencers, and businesses confirm authenticity and make impersonation more difficult.
Still in early iOS beta with no launch date: The code is live in beta builds but not publicly available, hinting at Meta’s push for integrated identity checks.

WhatsApp is preparing a feature for iOS that would let users link their Instagram profiles with a verified badge, reducing the risk of fake accounts. The change was first spotted by WABetaInfo in the latest TestFlight beta build.

What Is Changing

Currently, WhatsApp lets you paste an Instagram profile link into your account info, but there’s no check to confirm it actually belongs to you. That gap has often been exploited for impersonation or misleading links.

Image Credit: wabetainfo

The upcoming version changes the process. Instead of typing in a username, users would go through an ownership verification step. Once approved, the Instagram link would display with a “verified” label, signaling that it’s genuinely tied to the WhatsApp account holder.

Why It Matters

Meta is framing this as a way to help people quickly identify legitimate accounts. Public figures, influencers, and small businesses could see the most benefit, since verified cross-links make it harder for copycats to pose as them. It could also build user trust in conversations where identity matters.

Still in Development

Although the code is present in the iOS beta, testers can’t use the feature yet. WhatsApp hasn’t shared a release window, so it may be weeks or months before it appears in a public update.

Part of Meta’s broader app strategy

If rolled out, this would mark another step in Meta’s slow push toward deeper integration between its platforms. Verified Instagram links on WhatsApp could be a small but telling move toward a more unified online identity across its apps.

Would you trust a WhatsApp account more if its Instagram link was verified? Drop your thoughts below.