WhatsApp’s Back to Basics: The “About” Feature You Never Knew You Needed

The WhatsApp team has announced the launch of an intriguing update. The spotlight is on the “About” section, designed for your contacts to immediately understand what you’re up to-think being busy or why you’re slow to respond to messages.

WhatsApp shared: “Users who have been following WhatsApp updates from the very beginning remember that ‘About’ was our first feature. Even before confidential and secure messages, we developed a simple way to share news. Today, we are reintroducing this feature in an enhanced version.” Now, the “About” section will be more noticeable, relevant, and easier to use, reminiscent of the familiar “Statuses” users see online-you can quickly add an emoji or a short phrase to the section.

The “About” section will now be easier to spot at the top of individual chats and your profile. You can also respond to someone’s information directly in the chat by pressing on it. By default, the status from the “About” section is displayed for a day, but users can increase or decrease its duration in the settings using a timer. In the privacy settings, you can also choose who will see this section: only contacts or all users. The feature is rolling out gradually and will be available to all mobile device users this week.

Recent trends in 2025 indicate a growing emphasis on making messaging platforms more intuitive and privacy-focused. WhatsApp’s initiative to revamp the “About” section aligns with attempts to enhance user experience while ensuring data privacy. It mirrors similar features in apps like Telegram or Signal, albeit with WhatsApp’s unique touch in facilitating quick, meaningful interactions.

Industry experts have welcomed this refresh, noting that while such updates might seem minor, they significantly impact user engagement, providing users with instant and relevant updates within their communication channels. With privacy concerns continually at the forefront, ensuring control over visibility is another critical step in retaining user trust.

User feedback has been positive, with many appreciating the streamlined way to keep contacts informed without intruding on privacy. As messenger platforms strive to balance innovation with security, updates like these suggest a promising direction.