WhatsApp is reintroducing and significantly upgrading its foundational “About” status feature, enabling users to share real-time availability and engage directly with status updates.
A key enhancement allows contacts to respond directly to a user’s “About” status. Tapping on the status within a conversation now opens an immediate, contextualized reply option.
The updated “About” section also gains greater prominence. It now appears readily at the top of individual chat windows and within a user’s profile.
Users gain more control over both the duration and privacy of their status messages. The “About” feature automatically expires after 24 hours.
However, users can now customize this timeframe. Settings allow adjusting the status to disappear more quickly or remain visible for an extended period.
Privacy settings also give users full authority over who can view their status. Options range from restricting visibility to contacts only, to making it more broadly accessible.
WhatsApp identifies the “About” status as its first feature, predating even private and secure messaging. Its core purpose is to allow quick, concise sharing of personal availability or life updates.
The platform suggests it is ideal for dynamic situations, such as being “free one minute, but busy the next.” Users can convey unavailability or suggest conversation topics with “an emoji and a short phrase.”
This optimization reflects WhatsApp’s ongoing commitment to clear and dynamic communication tools. The gradual rollout began this week for all mobile users and is expected to expand over the coming days.