WhatsApp Rolling Out New 'Profile Tab' on iOS; Check Details

Mumbai, March 17: WhatsApp has officially begun the wide rollout of a redesigned interface for its iOS application, replacing the traditional “Settings” tab with a personalised “You” tab. The update, identified in the latest version 26.10.73 on the App Store, introduces a dedicated entry point for profile management and account switching. This shift is designed to streamline the user experience as the platform increasingly moves towards supporting multiple accounts on a single device.

The new interface prominently displays the user’s profile icon within the bottom navigation bar, allowing for immediate recognition of the active account. This visual cue is particularly significant for users who have enabled the multi-account feature, as it simplifies the process of distinguishing between personal and professional profiles at a glance. While the tab is primarily labelled “You” for the majority of users, some may still see it as “Settings” during the final phases of the staged rollout. Spotify Prepares for XR Debut: New Beta Leak Reveals Smart Glasses Support with Real-Time Lyrics and ‘Now Playing’ Overlays

Redesigned Profile Interface and Multi-Account Logic

The core of this update lies in the transformation of the account management page. When users tap the new “You” tab, they are presented with a refreshed layout that integrates the old settings options with a more profile-centric view. This dedicated space serves as a smart hub, making it easier to navigate privacy settings, chat backups and linked devices. The inclusion of the profile photo directly in the tab serves as a gateway to the account list, allowing for faster switching between configured numbers.

This design language aligns WhatsApp’s iOS experience with its Android counterpart, which received a similar bottom-tab redesign earlier. By centralising account identification, WhatsApp aims to reduce the friction of managing dual-SIM setups or international numbers, ensuring that users do not inadvertently send messages from the wrong account.

Introduction of Profile Cover Photos

In addition to the navigation changes, WhatsApp is testing a feature previously exclusive to Business accounts, the inclusion of cover photos. The refreshed profile page now features a large header at the top of the screen. While the current beta phase includes a default cover photo to establish the layout, the company is preparing to allow all users to upload personalised images to this section, similar to the headers found on platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn.

At present, the ability to customise or change the cover photo remains locked for standard users. However, its presence in the latest App Store changelog suggests that the infrastructure is now in place for a full rollout. This enhancement is expected to improve profile personalisation, moving beyond the simple circular display picture to a more comprehensive header experience. WhatsApp New Feature Update: Meta-Owned Platform Developing New ‘Settings Tab’ and ‘Choose App Theme, Icon and Color’ Features.

WhatsApp for iOS Feature Availability

The new “You” tab and profile enhancements are currently rolling out to users who install the latest official updates from the App Store. While the feature is mentioned in the official changelog, WhatsApp typically enables such interface changes via a server-side switch. This means that even after updating the app, some users might see the new layout only after a few days as the feature is fully activated for their specific accounts.