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WhatsApp Revives ‘About’ as Disappearing Text Notes Rolling Out on Mobile

The lightweight status now surfaces in chat headers to signal availability without sending a message.

Overview

  • Updates auto‑expire after 24 hours by default, with timers users can set for shorter spans or up to one month.
  • The status is visible at the top of one‑to‑one chats and on profiles, appearing as a small bubble under the contact’s picture.
  • Users can reply by tapping an About note in a chat, turning quick updates into conversation starters.
  • Privacy controls let people choose who sees their note, including options like My contacts or exclusions.
  • The rollout to Android and iOS has begun this week, with a text‑first launch that supports short notes and emojis.