Revitalize Your WhatsApp Profile with a New WhatsApp About
Have you ever wondered how to quickly let all your WhatsApp contacts know you’re busy, traveling, or simply available for a chat? Your WhatsApp About section is the perfect tool for this, and it recently received its biggest update in years. This powerful little text snippet acts like a digital status update, letting friends and family know what’s happening in your life at a glance.
In late 2025, WhatsApp reintroduced and redesigned the About feature, making it more visible and temporary—similar to Instagram Notes or Statuses . Gone are the days when your About was buried in your profile, sitting unchanged for months. The new update appears prominently at the top of your chats, gives you control over how long it’s visible, and even lets contacts tap to reply directly to your update .
Whether you’re looking to share your current mood, update people on your availability, or simply express yourself with a creative emoji, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about changing and optimizing your WhatsApp About. Let’s dive in!
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What Is WhatsApp’s “About” Feature?
The WhatsApp About feature is a short text field where you can describe your current status, mood, or what you’re doing. Think of it as a mini bulletin board for your contacts. Unlike the permanent bio sections on other social platforms, WhatsApp’s new About feature is designed to be timely and temporary.
What’s New in the Update?
WhatsApp has transformed this previously static feature into something much more dynamic:
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Increased Visibility: Your About now appears prominently at the top of one-on-one chats and on your profile page, making it much more likely to be seen .
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Temporary Updates: By default, each About update automatically disappears after 24 hours, though you can customize this duration .
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Interactive Elements: Contacts can now tap on your About update inside a chat to send a direct reply, making it more engaging .
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Enhanced Privacy Controls: You can choose exactly who sees your About updates, with the same privacy options available for WhatsApp Status .
According to WhatsApp’s official announcement, “For those of you that have used WhatsApp from the very start, you’ll remember About was our first feature. Even before we brought the world private and secure messaging, we made it simple for you to quickly share what’s up in your life” .
Table: WhatsApp About Feature – Then vs. Now
| Feature | Previous Version | 2025 Updated Version |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | Hidden in profile | Top of chats & profile |
| Duration | Permanent until changed | 24 hours default (customizable) |
| Interactivity | Read-only | Tappable for quick reply |
| Privacy | Limited options | Full Status-like controls |
Step-by-Step: How to Change Your About on WhatsApp?
Updating your WhatsApp About is a simple process that takes just seconds. Here’s exactly how to do it on your mobile device:
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Open WhatsApp on your phone and tap on the Settings gear icon (three dots on Android).
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Tap the new “What’s happening“ text that appears under your name. Alternatively, you can tap your profile picture and select the “Set About“ option .
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In the About section, you’ll see several options:
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Type your custom short text update (up to 50 characters)
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Choose from WhatsApp’s preset suggestions (like “Available,” “Busy,” etc.)
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Set your duration: Choose how long the update should stay visible. Options include:
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1 hour
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8 hours
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1 day (default)
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2 days
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1 week
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Custom duration
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Finally, tap the “Set About“ button at the bottom-right corner of the screen to save your update .
See it in Action:
You can watch our YouTube video to learn how exactly it’s done.
Table: Duration Options for Your WhatsApp About
| Duration | Best Use Cases |
|---|---|
| 1 hour | Short meetings, quick naps, focused work sessions |
| 8 hours | Workdays, day trips, temporary availability |
| 1 day | General daily updates, special occasions |
| 2 days | Weekend status, short getaways |
| 1 week | Vacations, extended work projects |
| Custom | Specific events with clear end times |
Don’t Forget Privacy Settings!
To control who can see your About updates:
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Go to Settings > Account > Privacy > About
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Choose between: “Everyone,” “My Contacts,” or “My Contacts Except…”
This gives you complete control over your digital footprint, ensuring your updates are only seen by the people you choose.
Pro Tips for Creating Engaging About Updates
Now that you know how to change your About, here’s how to make it count within that 50-character limit:
Creative Content Ideas
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Share your current activity: “📚 Studying for exams” or “🍳 Cooking dinner”
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Express your mood: “😊 Having a great day!” or “🤒 Feeling under weather”
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Indicate availability: “💼 Available for work calls” or “✈️ Traveling, replies may be slow”
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Celebrate occasions: “🎉 Celebrating my birthday!” or “🎄 Merry Christmas!”
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Share interesting updates: “🎵 Listening to new album” or “🌴 Beach day today!”
Effective Use of Emojis
Emojis are perfect for the About feature because they:
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Convey meaning quickly in limited space
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Add personality and visual interest
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Are universally understood across languages
However, avoid overusing them—one or two relevant emojis is usually sufficient.
Professional vs. Personal Use
Consider your audience when crafting updates:
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For professional contacts: Keep it work-appropriate—”💼 In meetings until 3 PM” or “📊 Working on project deadlines”
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For personal contacts: You can be more casual and creative—”🐶 Walking the dog” or “☕ Need coffee ASAP!”
Also checkout: Silence Your WhatsApp by Disabling Receipts Notifications
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Can’t See the New About Feature?
If you don’t see the updated About feature yet:
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Update your app: Make sure you’re running the latest version of WhatsApp
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Wait for rollout: WhatsApp stated the feature would roll out to all users over November 2025
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Restart your phone: Sometimes a simple restart can help new features appear
About Updates Not Visible to Contacts?
If friends can’t see your updates:
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Check your privacy settings (Settings > Account > Privacy > About)
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Ensure you’ve actually saved the About update by tapping “Set About“
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Confirm your update hasn’t expired based on the duration you set
Make the Most of Your Digital Presence
The redesigned About feature represents WhatsApp’s commitment to helping users share what’s happening in their lives quickly and easily. By following this guide, you can leverage this often-overlooked tool to stay connected with your contacts in a lightweight, non-intrusive way.
Unlike the more elaborate Status feature with its photos and videos, the About update excels in its simplicity and efficiency. It’s perfect for those moments when you want to share what you’re up to without creating and posting visual content.
The next time your situation changes—whether you’re heading into an important meeting, starting a vacation, or just enjoying a quiet day at home—remember to update your WhatsApp About. This small habit can significantly improve your communication by setting clear expectations with those trying to reach you.
Have you tried the new About feature yet? Share your favorite About update ideas in the comments below—we’d love to hear how you’re using this refreshed feature to stay connected with important people in your life!