WhatsApp is launching a significant update this week, bringing back a familiar feature from its early days with a fresh, modern design. The returning 'About' tool offers a simple way for users to share brief life updates directly from their chat interface.
What is the New 'About' Feature?
The Meta-owned messaging platform confirmed it is reintroducing and improving the About feature, making it more visible and easier to use. This tool is designed for those moments when you want to post quick updates about your availability or current interests.
Using a short phrase accompanied by an emoji, you can let contacts know why you might be unavailable to message or what topics you're currently interested in discussing. This mirrors functionality that long-time WhatsApp users might remember from the app's earlier iterations.
Enhanced Visibility and Control
Your About status will now appear prominently at the top of your chat window, ensuring contacts can easily see it when they message you. WhatsApp explained: "About will now be easier to see at the top of 1-1 chats and on your profile."
The platform has also added new interactive elements. You can reply directly to someone's About by simply tapping on it within a chat. The feature includes flexible timing options - while updates automatically expire after one day, you can adjust this duration in Settings.
Privacy and Availability
WhatsApp emphasizes that users maintain complete control over privacy settings for their About status. Through the app's privacy controls, you can restrict visibility to only your contacts or make it available to a wider audience.
The updated About feature will be rolling out to all mobile users starting this week. With approximately 76% of British adults using WhatsApp, this update represents a significant change to how millions in the UK will communicate their daily availability and interests.
