WhatsApp is quietly shaking up its iPhone app. It is replacing the familiar Settings gear icon with a new “You” tab. But is this change more than just a visual tweak?
Rolling out with version 26.10.73 on iOS, the update swaps the bottom-right Settings icon for a profile shortcut. The shortcut now displays your profile picture instead.
When you tap it, you’ll still land in the same place such as account settings, privacy controls, and app preferences. However, the change signals a bigger shift in how WhatsApp wants users to interact with the app.
The move is tied to something Meta has been working on for a while: multi-account support. By putting your profile front and centre in the navigation bar, WhatsApp is laying the groundwork for a system. In this system, you can switch between multiple accounts, likely personal and business, on a single device.
In practice, this new layout makes it clearer which account you’re currently using. Your profile photo acts as a visual cue. It’s a small but familiar idea. Moreover, it feels heavily inspired by how accounts are handled in Instagram.
There are a couple of other tweaks in testing, too. WhatsApp is reportedly experimenting with a default cover photo banner at the top of profile pages. However, it’s not customisable just yet.
As with most WhatsApp updates, the rollout is gradual. Even if you’ve updated to the latest version, you might not see the new “You” tab immediately. The classic Settings gear could stick around for a bit longer depending on your region.
It’s not the most dramatic redesign at first glance. However, it does hint at a more flexible version of WhatsApp coming soon, especially for users juggling multiple identities on one phone.
