WhatsApp for Android has received a new update to version v2.11.169, which adds some new privacy options for users.

With the new version of the popular app, users will now be able to choose exactly who can see their "Last seen" profile photo and status message. The options are either to let everyone see it, make it visible only to contacts, or to no one.

This new option finally brings the Android version of WhatsApp on par with the iOS version, which already had the ability to hide the "Last seen" status. Aside from this new addition, the update also brings along the ability to hide the profile photo and status message, a feature that the iOS version doesn't have yet.

Other changes include an improved "mute" functionality, which finally works properly. While the option existed before, you would still see notifications even if you "muted" a group. The update now makes it completely silent when you mute a group and you will see that you have new messages only when you actually open the app. You can only choose to mute a group for a maximum of one week, however, as a permanent mute option is still not available. The notification options for broadcast messages, meanwhile, are no longer present, but users can still send broadcast messages.

Lastly, another neat change now allows users to pay for a friend. To do so, you simply have to choose the desired subscription option (1, 3, or 5-year subscription) and offer it as a gift to a friend using Google Wallet, PayPal, or sending a payment link.

The updated version of WhatsApp for Android is yet to hit the Google Play store, but it should arrive shortly. If you want to update your version of the app now, you can do so by downloading the APK straight from WhatsApp at this link. The update should make everything smoother and easier and improve the app experience overall. If you have already downloaded and installed it, drop by our comment section below and let us know how it fares.