WhatsApp is rolling out a redesigned About section on Android
WhatsApp launches a redesigned About section on Android, making it easier for users to manage their status. The update includes a feature that lets users see how the About appears to others, along with quick access to privacy controls from the same screen. Everything users need to set, customize, and manage their About is now in one place.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | New design for the About section |
| Status: | Rolling out |
| Compatibility: | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.24.1 is a compatible update. |
| Availability info: | This feature is available to some beta testers, and it is rolling out to more users over the coming weeks. |
| Thanks: | Sc and Muhammad Hammad, for testing and reporting. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp is working on view-once text messages for iPhone! |
WhatsApp introduced a smarter About feature with auto-expiring updates
In November 2025, WhatsApp announced a smarter About feature with auto-expiring updates. The update allowed users to set a timer for their About, so it would automatically disappear after a chosen duration. WhatsApp also made the About visible directly in the conversation screen, so contacts could check someone's current status without opening their profile. Users could also add emojis to their About to make it more expressive and easier to read at a glance.
WhatsApp is now redesigning the About section on Android
With the latest update, WhatsApp is refreshing the look of the About section so users can manage their status with fewer steps. Users can notice the new interface as soon as they open the About section. We discovered the news after installing the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.24.1 update, which is available on the Google Play Store. Specifically, WhatsApp is rolling out a redesigned About section to some beta testers.
WhatsApp redesigns the About section to include a conversation preview
The redesigned About section offers a dedicated preview at the top of the screen. This feature shows how the About appears in a conversation, so users know exactly what their contacts will see when they open a chat. Before this update, it was not possible to view how the About looked from the other side. The preview makes it simpler to fine-tune the text and ensures the About looks exactly as intended before saving it.
Users can set their About text and choose how long it lasts
Below the preview, users can type their About in the text field as usual. What makes this redesign more convenient is the expiration menu right below it, which lets users choose how long the About will remain visible. Users can choose from preset durations: 1 hour, 8 hours, 1 day, 2 days, and 1 week. In case these options are not enough, a custom option allows users to set a specific duration up to a maximum of one month. These are the same durations WhatsApp already offered since the update released last year.
Privacy controls are now accessible directly from the About section
The redesigned About section also includes a dedicated shortcut to privacy settings. This means that users can quickly choose who can see their About without leaving the screen. Users can still choose from the same four settings: Everyone, My Contacts, My Contacts Except, and Nobody. Now, they are also accessible directly from the About section instead of opening the account screen. This saves time for users who frequently update their About and want to adjust who can see it at the same time.
The new design puts everything in one place
The core idea behind the redesign is convenience. Previously, users had to visit different sections of the app to manage their About. For example, they had to open the About settings, the privacy settings, and the profile view to check how it looked. The new design consolidates all of this into a single screen, reducing the number of steps needed to set or update the About. The layout is clean and intuitive, making it simpler to get everything right before saving.
WhatsApp is rolling out the redesigned About section to Android beta testers
The redesigned About section is available to some beta testers who install the latest WhatsApp beta for Android update from the Google Play Store. WhatsApp is currently rolling out this feature to a limited number of users, so it may not be visible to everyone yet. If the new design is not available on your device after installing the latest update, it should become available in the coming weeks. WhatsApp has not shared an official timeline for the stable release, but we expect it to reach more users soon.
Connect with WABetaInfo
Follow WABetaInfo on X and visit our About page to learn more about what we do. We always appreciate your feedback on posts like this one.