If you’ve been a long-time WhatsApp user, you may recall a time before Stories dominated the platform. Users used to provide quick life updates through a simple text status, which evolved into the “About” section. Now, WhatsApp is tapping into that nostalgia by reintroducing About notes in a modernized format. In a recent blog post, the company announced that the original About notes are making a comeback, but with an Instagram-inspired twist. The intention is to make this lightweight status feature relevant again, particularly for users who favor text updates over image-centric Stories. The revamped About section enables users to share brief phrases, moods, and availability updates using text or emojis.
This feature is particularly useful when you want to inform contacts that you’re busy, unavailable, or simply wish to convey a quick thought—without the obligation of posting a photo or video. A significant visual change is the relocation of the About note; it is now pinned at the top of one-on-one chats and prominently displayed on user profiles, making it easier for contacts to notice and engage with your updates. WhatsApp has also added reactions for About notes. Similar to Instagram, anyone who views your note can respond instantly within a chat. A noteworthy update is the addition of disappearing About notes, which will automatically vanish after 24 hours.
Users have the flexibility to modify this duration, allowing them to keep a note visible for a shorter or longer time, based on their preferences. Visibility settings have also seen a substantial upgrade. Users now possess greater control over who can view their About notes. Whether you wish to limit visibility to a select group of contacts or expand it to a wider audience, this feature allows you to manage your visibility without the fear of unintentional oversharing. This enhanced control also minimizes the chances of uncomfortable situations, such as a colleague encountering a note intended solely for friends. WhatsApp has started rolling out the updated About notes to smartphone users worldwide.
This feature will be gradually introduced over the week and will appear in the Settings section once it becomes available on your device. For those who preferred WhatsApp’s earlier, more straightforward method of sharing updates, and were not keen on the more complicated Status feature, this reintroduction may feel like a welcome return to simplicity. With a sleek design and optional disappearing notes, WhatsApp is merging nostalgia with current social media trends to revive a feature that users once cherished, now reimagined for 2025.