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WhatsApp messenger updates ‘About’ function with timer and more privacy options for users

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Whatsapp - Foto: stockcam/iStock.com

WhatsApp has begun global rollout of a revamped version of its profile messaging feature, previously known as “About” and now renamed “Info.” The tool, which allows the publication of short text messages or emojis visible on the profile and in conversations, now has a timer for automatic expiration and more detailed privacy controls, in line with other features of the Meta messaging application.

The new feature began to be gradually released to users of the Android and iOS systems from November 30, 2025. The main change is the ability to define a duration for the Informações message, which can be 24 hours, 7 days or 30 days, offering a dynamic way of sharing the user’s current status. Além Additionally, it is possible to keep the message fixed, without an expiration date, until it is manually changed by the account owner.

The implementation follows the privacy standard already established for other profile elements, such as photo, last seen and status. Users can choose precisely who will be allowed to view their information by selecting from “Everyone”, “My Contatos”, “My Contatos except…” or “Share only with…”. Meta confirmed that the update will reach all users of the stable version of the application over the next few weeks, consolidating another step in personalizing the communication experience.

Whatsapp
Whatsapp – Foto: JarTee / Shutterstock.com

Details of the new functionality and its impact on the profile

The renewal of the Informações function represents a significant change in the way users can express themselves on WhatsApp. The feature, which maintained the 139 character limit, now gains a prominent visual highlight, appearing just below the contact’s name in all conversation windows, whether individual or group. Essa direct visibility eliminates the need to access the contact’s full profile to see the message. The automatic timer is the big star of the update, allowing status messages to reflect specific moments, such as being on vacation, attending an important meeting or simply sharing a thought from the day. At the end of the selected period — 24 hours, a week or a month — the message from Informações automatically reverts to the standard text “Hey! I’m using WhatsApp”, ensuring that old messages do not remain visible indefinitely. Essa automation offers convenience and ensures that the profile is always updated without the need for constant manual intervention, making communication more agile and contextualized in the dynamic environment of daily conversations.

How to configure the new temporary message on your profile

Activating and customizing the new Informações function is a simple and intuitive process, integrated directly into the application’s profile settings. The first step for the user is to open WhatsApp and tap their name or photo at the top of the home screen, accessing the account management area.

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Within the profile, the field previously called “About” is now displayed as “Info”. By tapping this option, the user can type a new text message, which may include emojis, or select one of the app’s pre-defined suggestions.

After composing the message, the new control options become visible. The user must then set the timer, choosing whether the message should last 24 hours, 7 days, 30 days or whether it will remain fixed until a new manual change. The choice is made through a simple menu.

The last step is to adjust your privacy settings. The user can determine who can view the update by selecting the desired audience. Once the choices are confirmed, the new information appears immediately for the allowed contacts, both in the profile and in the chat windows.

Privacy options and full user control

Meta prioritized consistency by integrating privacy controls into the new Informações function, mirroring the system already familiar to WhatsApp users. Essa approach ensures that message visibility management is intuitive, offering four levels of control that allow for detailed customization. The “Everyone” option makes the information public to anyone who has the user’s number, even if it is not saved in the contact list. Já the “My contacts” option restricts viewing only to numbers saved in the phone’s address book.

For even more specific control, the “My contacts except…” setting allows the user to create an exclusion list, hiding messages from specific people without the need to remove them from the calendar. Finally, the “Share only with…” option works like a whitelist, where only selected contacts can see the update. It’s important to note that these settings are independent for each privacy feature, meaning a user can have one profile photo visible to everyone, but their Informações visible only to a restricted group of friends, offering maximum flexibility.

Meta’s strategy behind the update

The relaunch of the Informações feature with new capabilities is part of a broader strategy by Meta to enrich the WhatsApp experience, bringing it closer to social networking features without compromising its core as a private messaging platform. The company identified that users often turned to alternative methods, such as Status or out-of-office messages, to communicate their availability or mood.

The new tool offers a more practical and integrated solution to this behavior. Unlike Status, which disappears after 24 hours and occupies a separate tab, Informações are more persistent and directly visible in the context of the conversation, facilitating quick context communication.

This update also positions WhatsApp more competitively against other applications, such as Telegram, which has a customizable “Bio”, and Instagram, with notes in direct messages. Meta seeks to offer a complete ecosystem where communication goes beyond simply sending text.

What changes compared to the old ‘About’ function

The main difference between the new function Informações and the old “About” lies in its dynamicity and control. The previous version was static, allowing only fixed text that remained unchanged until the user decided to change it manually, and did not offer advanced audience segmentation options.

With the update, the feature takes on a life of its own through the timer and privacy settings. Essa transformation makes the message field an active communication tool, rather than a mere profile detail, encouraging more frequent and creative use by users.

Global availability and release schedule

The update renewing the Informações feature began rolling out to users on Brasil and other parts of the world on the evening of November 30, 2025. The release is happening in phases, a common practice at Meta to ensure service stability and collect feedback along the way.

To receive the news, the application must be updated to the latest version available on Google Play Store (for Android) or App Store (for iOS). The company stated that all users of the stable version will have access to the feature in the weeks following the initial launch.

Future possibilities and what to expect from the tool

While the current update is already robust, Meta appears to have future plans to further expand the capabilities of the Informações function. Especula The company is exploring the possibility of adding text formatting options, such as bold and italics, and even the inclusion of clickable links, which would transform the profile message into an even more powerful tool for professionals and content creators. However, so far, none of these features have been officially confirmed by the company.

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