WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.1.10.73: what's new?
WhatsApp has released a new iOS update through the TestFlight beta Program, bringing the version up to 26.1.10.73.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is working on a feature that lets users manage privacy settings for cover photos, and it will be available in a future update!
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | Cover photo privacy |
| Status: | Under development |
| Availability info: | This feature is currently in development and not yet available for beta testing. In the meantime, you can read this article for a sneak peek. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.2.2: what's new? WhatsApp is working on a feature that requires entering a username key when starting a chat for the first time! |
WhatsApp is developing cover photos privacy for iOS
In the post about the WhatsApp beta for iOS 25.1.10.71 update, we announced that a feature that introduces cover photos for personal profiles is under development. With this feature, users can personalize their personal profile with a wide cover image displayed above their profile. The cover photo will be configurable directly from the app settings, making the setup intuitive and consistent with existing customization options. Users will be free to change, reposition, or remove the image at any time without affecting their profile photo or account information.
Cover photos are currently under development, but WhatsApp continues to actively work on refining the feature to ensure a reliable experience. Ongoing improvements indicate that WhatsApp is now optimizing functionality ahead of an official release. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.1.10.73 update, which is available on the TestFlight app, we discovered that WhatsApp is working on a feature that lets users manage privacy settings for cover photos.
WhatsApp is developing a dedicated privacy section that allows users to control who can view their cover photo. Currently under development for the future, WhatsApp will offer users with cover photos greater control over how their profile appears to others. These settings are designed to mirror the familiar privacy controls already offered for Last Seen, Profile Photo, and About. This organization will make it easier for users to understand how to manage the visibility of cover photos once they open the Privacy section. Additionally, this structure won't force users to learn a new system to manage visibility since it follows the same logic and presentation used for other privacy options.
"Everyone" will be the first supported privacy option, which allows any WhatsApp user to see the cover photo when viewing the profile. This setting is useful for people who prefer a fully public presence or for those who do not mind that unknown users can see their cover photo. Choosing "Everyone" means the cover photo can be seen even by people who are not saved in the contact list. It closely matches the existing behavior of other public profile elements. Users who often communicate outside their contact list may find this option the most convenient to choose.
The "My contacts" option limits visibility to people saved in the user's address book. This option will offer a more private experience without being overly restrictive. This choice ensures that only known contacts can see the cover photo while still keeping the profile visually complete for friends and family. For users who want personalization without exposing it to unknown accounts, this setting strikes a practical balance. An additional layer is provided by the "My contacts except" option, which lets users exclude specific contacts from viewing the cover photo. This selective control is helpful in situations where users wants to hide their cover image from selected accounts.
The "Nobody" option completely hides the cover photo from all other users. When this setting is enabled, the profile will not display any cover image to others, regardless of their relationship with the user. It is particularly useful for users who want a minimal profile or who prefer not to share visual content. These privacy options will let users adapt cover photo visibility to their personal comfort level.
The feature that introduces privacy settings for cover photos on personal profiles is still under development, and it's expected to be available in a future update. WhatsApp is fine-tuning how these controls will integrate with the existing privacy section to ensure they feel consistent with other visibility options. Once available, users will be able to decide who can see their cover photo while it remains displayed at the top of the profile.
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