WhatsApp’s About update adds colored text and 24-hour expiry

WhatsApp is rolling out a text-based About/status update that appears at the top of one-on-one chats and in profile views, giving users a short way to post an availability line, mood note, or quick thought. The update is not a photo or video status post. It uses a colored background and custom font options, and the default visibility window is 24 hours with timer and audience controls available.

WhatsApp’s text status returns as a visible in-chat signal

The feature sits on WhatsApp’s existing About/status surface, but it is designed to feel lighter and more immediate than a full post. Instead of sending a separate message, users can set a short line that others see inside the app, including at the top of a direct chat and on the profile page. That placement makes it useful for the kind of small signals people often leave in chat anyway: “in a meeting,” “back later,” or a brief thought meant to start a conversation.

For business users and operators, it gives them a quick place to post “busy,” “out for lunch,” or “call me later” without opening a separate broadcast or reply thread. It is also a clearer fit for short operational updates than WhatsApp’s richer Status format, which is built around media.

Custom fonts, background colors, and a 24-hour timer

The update can be customized with font changes and background color choices, and at least one walkthrough shows emoji or sticker-style embellishments during creation. Another description says links can be added as well. The update is still text-based, so it stays closer to a note than a full Status story.

By default, the post disappears after 24 hours. Visibility can be limited to contacts, and timer controls are part of the setup. That means a teammate or customer can see the update inside the chat or profile without digging through a bio, and the line clears itself the next day unless the user changes it.

Available on Android, iPhone, and desktop, rollout details remain unclear

The feature is described as available on Android and iOS, and it can also be viewed on desktop. That makes it more broadly usable than a phone-only experiment, especially for people who spend part of the day on WhatsApp Web or the desktop app.

The one thing that is still not pinned down cleanly is rollout scope. Coverage uses different labels for the same surface: About, text status, and colored text-based status updates, and it does not make clear whether every user already has the feature or whether access still depends on app version or region. What is clear is the practical change: WhatsApp is putting a short, customizable status line back in a highly visible place inside chats and profiles, where it can work as a quick availability cue or conversation starter.

Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only.