WhatsApp New Settings Update for iPhone: 7 Key Changes You Must Know

October 12, 2026: WhatsApp is preparing a major change to the Settings section for iPhone users. The new design will give more importance to the user's profile and frequently used features. Meanwhile, detailed settings such as Account, Privacy, Chats and Notifications will move to a separate menu. WhatsApp is also reportedly planning to add a search bar to the new Settings menu. However, the feature is still in development, and the company has not announced when it will be available to all users.

The new interface was spotted in WhatsApp's iOS 26.40.10.21 beta version through TestFlight. According to a report by WABetaInfo, the feature has not yet been made available to beta testers. As a result, iPhone users may have to wait longer to try the redesigned interface.

What Are the Changes in WhatsApp Settings?

The new design will organise WhatsApp's current Settings experience into two sections. The first will be the 'You' tab, which will display the user's profile and frequently used features. The second will be a separate Settings menu that users can open by tapping a gear icon.

This change will reduce the need to scroll through a long list of options to find specific settings. Profile information and quick-access features will be available in one place, while account and app settings will be organised separately.

WhatsApp has already replaced the old Settings tab with the 'You' tab for many iPhone users. The upcoming change is expected to build on this redesigned interface.

What Will Be in the New You Tab?

The top section of the new You tab will display the user's account name, profile picture and phone number. Users will also be able to edit their profiles and share them with others.

Below the profile section, WhatsApp may offer several shortcuts for frequently used features. These could include:

• Subscriptions: Access subscription-related features.

• Lists: Manage lists.

• Broadcast messages: Send messages to multiple people at once.

• Events: Access event-related features.

• Starred: Find starred messages.

• Linked devices: Manage devices connected to WhatsApp.

With these changes, the You tab will become more than just an alternative to the Settings section. It is expected to serve as a dedicated space for profile management and quick access to frequently used features.

What Options Will Be in the Separate Settings Menu?

Detailed settings will not be removed. Instead, they are expected to be placed in a separate menu that users can access through the gear icon.

The redesigned Settings menu may include the following options:

• Account

• Privacy

• Chats

• Appearance

• Notifications

• Agents

• Storage and data

• Parental controls

• Help

• Send feedback

• Invite a friend

The menu may also include an Accounts Center, allowing users to link their WhatsApp accounts with other Meta accounts.

This means users will continue to have access to privacy, notification, storage and other settings. Only the way they access these options is expected to change.

A Search Bar May Be Added to Settings

One of the most useful additions to the redesigned interface could be a search bar at the top of the Settings menu. It would allow users to find specific options by typing their names.

For example, users looking for privacy-related options may be able to type a relevant keyword into the search bar instead of opening different sections to find the required setting.

As WhatsApp continues to introduce new features, its Settings menu is also becoming more extensive. Options such as parental controls, storage management and other app controls can make it harder to find specific settings. A search bar could make this process quicker and easier.

Is the Settings Tab Going Away Completely on iPhone?

WhatsApp has already replaced the old Settings tab with the You tab for many iPhone users. The rollout of this change reportedly began with iOS version 26.10.73.

In the older design, a Settings gear icon appeared in the bottom navigation bar. In the newer interface, the user's profile picture takes its place, making it easier to identify the active account.

Current reports suggest that the You tab will remain in the redesigned interface. Instead of removing it, WhatsApp plans to make it more useful by adding profile information and shortcuts. A separate gear icon will provide access to detailed settings.

Benefits for Users With Multiple WhatsApp Accounts

The redesigned You tab is also linked to WhatsApp's multi-account functionality. Displaying the profile picture and account information in the navigation bar could make it easier for users to identify which account is active.

The experimental design may also allow users to add a second account by tapping the account name or profile section at the top of the You tab. An account switcher may also be accessible from this section.

These changes could make it easier to manage personal and other WhatsApp accounts. However, WhatsApp has not officially announced the final design or confirmed when the feature will be available to all users.

Will the New Design Remove Existing Features?

There is currently no indication that the redesign will remove existing options such as Account, Privacy, Chats and Notifications. Based on the information available so far, the update is primarily an interface redesign.

The main aim is to reduce clutter in the You tab by moving detailed or less frequently used settings to a separate menu. Profile information and quick-access features will appear more prominently, while detailed controls will remain available through the gear icon.

When Will the New WhatsApp Settings Be Launched on iPhone?

WhatsApp has not announced a release date for the redesigned Settings interface. Although the feature was spotted in the iOS 26.40.10.21 beta version, it remains under development. At present, even beta testers using TestFlight cannot enable and use it.

Features like this are often tested with selected beta users before a wider rollout begins through the App Store. The timing depends on development progress and testing results. However, WhatsApp has not provided a confirmed timeline for this update.

The new WhatsApp Settings design aims to make the app easier to use on iPhones. The You tab is expected to offer profile information and useful shortcuts, while detailed settings and a possible search bar will be available through the separate Settings menu. Users will have to wait for an official announcement to learn when the redesigned interface will become available.