WhatsApp is working on a new and improved design for the About section on Android devices. The update is currently available to some beta users through the latest beta version and is expected to reach more users in the coming weeks.
The About section is the place where users can write a short message or status on their profile, such as “Available,” “Busy,” “At work,” or any custom text. With the new update, WhatsApp aims to make managing this profile information easier, faster, and more convenient.
Everything in One Place
One of the biggest improvements in the new design is that WhatsApp has brought all About-related settings into a single screen.
Previously, users had to move between different menus to edit their About text, manage privacy settings, or make other changes. This often made the process confusing and time-consuming.
With the redesigned interface, users can now:
- Edit their About text
- Preview how it looks
- Set an expiration time
- Manage privacy settings
All from one location without switching between multiple settings pages.
This creates a much smoother and more user-friendly experience.
New Preview Feature
A major addition in the update is the new preview option.
At the top of the About section, users can now see exactly how their status will appear to other people in chats.
Previously, users could only type their About message and save it without knowing how it would actually look to contacts.
Now, before saving any changes, users can:
- Review the appearance of their About
- Check formatting and text
- Make adjustments if needed
This helps ensure the profile message looks exactly the way the user wants.
Easier Editing of About Messages
The new design still allows users to write and edit their About text just like before.
Users can:
- Enter a custom message
- Update an existing status
- Change their profile description whenever they want
However, the editing process is now more organized and easier to access.
Instead of searching through different settings, everything is available on one screen.
New Expiration Settings
Another useful feature included in the redesign is the ability to set an expiration time for the About status.
This means users can decide how long their profile message remains visible before it automatically expires.
WhatsApp now offers several preset options:
- 1 hour
- 8 hours
- 1 day
- 2 days
- 1 week
For users who want more flexibility, WhatsApp also allows a custom duration of up to one month.
This feature is useful for people who frequently update their status and want temporary messages without manually changing them later.
For example:
- A student can set “Exam Week” for a few days.
- A traveler can post “On Vacation” for one week.
- A professional can display “In Meetings” for a few hours.
Once the selected time ends, the status automatically expires.
Privacy Controls Added to the Same Screen
WhatsApp has also improved privacy management.
Previously, users needed to visit a separate privacy settings page to control who could see their About information.
Now, privacy settings are available directly within the About section.
Users can quickly choose who is allowed to view their profile status.
Available options include:
- Everyone
- My Contacts
- My Contacts Except
- Nobody
This makes it much easier to manage privacy without leaving the page.
For example, a user can update their About message and immediately decide who can see it without opening another settings menu.
Faster and More Convenient Experience
The main purpose of this redesign is to simplify the overall experience.
Before the update, users often had to:
- Open profile settings.
- Edit the About message.
- Go to privacy settings.
- Adjust visibility options.
- Return to save changes.
The new design removes these extra steps by placing everything in one location.
As a result:
- Less time is spent navigating menus.
- Settings are easier to find.
- Managing profile information becomes quicker and simpler.
Useful for Frequent Status Updates
The redesigned About section will be especially useful for people who regularly change their profile status.
Many users update their About messages to reflect:
- Work schedules
- Travel plans
- Personal updates
- Availability status
- Temporary announcements
The new interface makes these updates much easier to manage.
Currently Available to Beta Users
The feature is currently being tested with a limited number of Android beta users through the latest beta version of WhatsApp.
Since the rollout is gradual, not all beta users will receive the update immediately.
WhatsApp typically releases new features to a small group first to gather feedback and identify any issues before a wider launch.
Stable Release Expected Later
WhatsApp has not yet announced when the redesigned About section will become available to all Android users.
However, if testing continues successfully and users respond positively, the feature is expected to be included in a future stable update.
This follows WhatsApp’s ongoing effort to improve usability and make everyday features easier to use.
Final Thoughts
The new About section redesign may seem like a small change, but it brings several useful improvements. By combining profile editing, status preview, expiration options, and privacy controls into a single screen, WhatsApp is making profile management much simpler.
The addition of automatic expiration settings and real-time previews gives users more control over how they present themselves on the platform. Once fully released, the update is expected to provide a cleaner, faster, and more convenient experience for millions of Android users worldwide.
