After several weeks of testing, WhatsApp is now officially launching the new profile tab for iOS users. Here are the specifics.
### Feature Simplifies Active Account Identification
Last month, WABetaInfo reported that the TestFlight beta of WhatsApp substituted the Settings tab in the bottom right corner with a new tab named “You.” This fresh tab opens a revamped profile settings page and utilizes the user’s profile photo as its icon, rather than the usual stylized gear.
According to the release notes for WhatsApp version 16.5.10.73 which was released today on the App Store, the modification is officially launching for iOS users:
– The settings tab has now transformed into a profile tab, allowing you to manage your account, control your identity, and express yourself.
This feature marks an initial step towards multi-account support, which Meta has been testing and developing for some time. By using the user’s profile photo as the “You” tab icon and emphasizing it on the page itself, WhatsApp facilitates easy identification of the active account at a glance. This approach is similar to Instagram and Threads, where the default avatar icon is replaced with the user’s profile photo when handling multiple accounts on a single device.
WABetaInfo highlights that while the feature is being rolled out to general users, its availability still seems limited, and certain functionalities are restricted:
Even though this update isn’t widely accessible yet, WhatsApp has also revamped the profile page by introducing a default cover photo at the top of the screen. The cover photo offers a large header that personalizes the profile. Presently, only a select number of users can access this feature. For those who can utilize it, the cover photo enhances the overall appearance of the profile and aids in recognition. Currently, users cannot change their cover photo, indicating that users will need to await a future update to substitute the default cover photo with a personal image.
As with other WhatsApp updates, it may take a while before all users gain access to the new feature. Numerous users, myself included, still lack access to the Liquid Glass interface that started rolling out last October, so the new “You” tab may also take some time to become available to everyone.