WhatsApp Replaces Settings With New ‘You’ Tab on iPhone
WhatsApp is rolling out a major redesign of the Settings tab on iPhone, replacing it with a new WhatsApp You tab that puts the user’s profile front and centre. The change arrives with WhatsApp beta for iOS version 26.40.10.76 through TestFlight, TechJuice reported.
The most noticeable change hits the navigation bar first. WhatsApp swaps the traditional gear icon for the user’s own profile photo. Users can instantly see which account is active at a glance. The design mirrors Instagram and Threads, where profile photos also serve as tab icons.
The WhatsApp You tab lays groundwork for multi-account support
The layout change is more than cosmetic. It lays the groundwork for multi-account support. Once that feature launches, users will switch between numbers by tapping their profile photo directly, a long-requested feature for people juggling work and personal numbers.
The new You tab also introduces a default cover image at the top of the profile section. Users cannot customise this cover photo yet, though future updates may add personalisation options. Below the cover image, users can see their status message, edit their profile and share it with others. Quick-access options like Subscriptions, Lists, Broadcast messages, Events, Starred messages and Linked devices all sit in this main view.
So where did the rest of the settings go? WhatsApp moves less-used options into a separate menu behind the gear icon in the navigation bar. This secondary page holds Account, Privacy, Chats, Appearance, Notifications, Agents, Storage and data, and Parental controls. A search bar at the top of this page helps users find any setting without scrolling.
WABetaInfo first reported this redesign back in February 2026. WhatsApp has now started rolling it out to some beta testers, though not every tester will see the new layout right away. The company plans to expand availability over the coming weeks. WhatsApp has not confirmed when the redesign will reach all iPhone users through a stable release.
Part of a wider 2026 redesign
This update follows a broader pattern throughout 2026. WhatsApp already redesigned the group chat info screen with a tab system earlier this year. The app also recently added a shortcut menu for chats with the most useful options. Together, these changes show WhatsApp is simplifying its iPhone app section by section.
For Pakistani users, the multi-account groundwork matters most. WhatsApp is the default communication tool for millions here, and the PTA’s new SIM and eSIM registration rules show how common dual-SIM life is. A proper account switcher would end the clumsy workarounds of dual apps and cloned installs that many users rely on today.
What is the WhatsApp ‘You’ tab?
A redesigned profile-centric tab replacing Settings on iPhone. It shows your profile photo in the navigation bar, a cover image, your status and quick-access options.
Where did the old settings go?
Less-used settings moved behind a gear icon in the navigation bar: Account, Privacy, Chats, Appearance, Notifications, Agents, Storage and data, and Parental controls, with a search bar on top.
When will all iPhone users get it?
WhatsApp has not announced a stable release date. The redesign is currently rolling out to some beta testers, with wider availability expected over the coming weeks.
