WhatsApp is set to introduce a significant update this week, reintroducing a feature called About but with a new twist. Longtime users may recall an earlier version of this feature from the early days of the chat app.
According to WhatsApp, the reintroduction of About aims to provide users with a quick and easy way to share updates about their lives.
The company, owned by Meta, stated, “Today we’re reintroducing and enhancing About, making it more visible, timely, and user-friendly.”
So, what does the new About feature offer, and when can users expect it on their phones?
The feature is designed for times when users want to share updates about their lives. By using a brief phrase and an emoji, users can inform others why they are unavailable to chat or what they would like to discuss.
Your About status will be prominently displayed at the top of your chat window for easy visibility by others.
“About will now be more prominently displayed at the top of 1-1 chats and on your profile,” explained WhatsApp.
“You can also respond directly to someone’s About by tapping on it in a chat. About statuses will expire after one day, but users can choose to make them disappear sooner or last longer. Simply go to Settings and tap ‘Set About’ to select a duration.”
Concerned about privacy? Users have control over who can view their About status. In the privacy settings, users can choose to make it visible only to their contacts or broaden the audience.
WhatsApp has announced that the updated About feature will be gradually rolled out to all mobile users starting this week.
