WhatsApp New Update 2026: Android Users Can Add Cover Photos to Profiles, Check How It Works
WhatsApp Cover Photo Feature 2026: WhatsApp is introducing a new profile customisation feature that allows users to add a cover photo to their personal accounts. The feature is currently being rolled out to selected Android beta testers, giving users another way to personalise their profiles beyond the traditional circular profile picture.
According to a Live Hindustan report published on October 30, 2026, the feature was spotted in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.43.11.
The new cover photo will appear as a wide banner at the top of a user's profile. WhatsApp is also introducing privacy controls so users can decide who is allowed to view the image.
However, the feature is not yet available to every Android user, and WhatsApp has not confirmed a date for its wider public release.
WhatsApp Cover Photo Feature: What's New?WhatsApp currently allows users to personalise their accounts through profile pictures, names, About information and other settings.
The upcoming cover photo feature adds another visual element to personal profiles.
According to WhatsApp feature-tracking website WABetaInfo, users will be able to select a landscape-style image that appears above their existing profile details.
This means users can display both a profile picture and a cover photo at the same time.
The feature was previously associated with WhatsApp Business profiles, but the latest development extends similar customisation options to personal accounts.
The update could make WhatsApp profiles look more personalised while maintaining the app's familiar messaging interface.
What Will a WhatsApp Cover Photo Look Like?The new cover photo will appear as a horizontal banner across the upper section of the profile screen.
Unlike the circular profile picture, which generally focuses on a person's face or identity, the cover photo offers more space for landscapes, travel pictures, artwork or other personal images.
The report states that the cover photo may be visible in several areas of WhatsApp, including the user's profile page and settings interface.
When another user opens the relevant chat information screen, the cover image may also appear above the profile picture, name and phone number, depending on the owner's privacy settings.
If no custom image is selected, WhatsApp may display a default cover image until the user chooses one.
Importantly, the cover photo does not replace the existing profile picture.
How to Set a Cover Photo on WhatsApp for AndroidAndroid users who receive access to the new feature will be able to add a cover image through their profile settings.
The reported process is straightforward.
Open WhatsApp on your Android smartphone.
Go to the app's Settings section.
Open your personal profile page.
Tap the available Edit option for the cover photo.
Choose whether to take a new picture, select an image from the gallery or use the available Meta AI image-generation option.
Adjust or review the image as WhatsApp fits it into the landscape banner format.
Save the cover photo to your profile.
The exact interface may change before the feature reaches the stable version of WhatsApp.
Users who cannot see the cover photo option should not assume that their app is malfunctioning. The feature is still being introduced gradually.
Can You Create a WhatsApp Cover Photo Using Meta AI?One of the notable options mentioned in the report is the ability to generate a cover image using Meta AI.
Instead of selecting an existing photograph, eligible users may be able to create an image through the AI-powered tool.
For example, users could choose an original scenic background or another suitable visual for their profile.
The image can then be fitted into WhatsApp's horizontal cover photo area.
However, access to AI-generated cover images may depend on feature availability, account eligibility and the version of WhatsApp being used.
Users should also review AI-generated images before making them visible to others.
WhatsApp Cover Photo Privacy: Who Can See Your Image?Privacy is an important part of the new feature.
According to the report, WhatsApp is introducing separate visibility settings that allow users to control who can view their cover photos.
Four options are mentioned:
Privacy setting
Who can see your cover photo?
| Everyone | Other WhatsApp users, subject to applicable settings |
| My Contacts | People saved in your contacts |
| My Contacts Except | Your contacts, excluding selected people |
| Nobody | Other users cannot view your cover photo |
These options are similar to privacy controls already familiar to many WhatsApp users.
For example, someone who wants only friends and family to see their cover image may prefer the My Contacts setting.
A user who wants to hide the image from particular contacts may use My Contacts Except.
Those who prefer maximum privacy can select Nobody.
The availability and exact behaviour of these controls may change during beta testing.
Will Other People See Your Cover Photo in Chats?The report indicates that cover photos may appear when another person opens the chat information screen associated with a user's account.
The image is expected to be displayed at the top of the interface, above other profile details.
However, whether another person can actually view the cover photo will depend on the privacy settings selected by the profile owner.
This means users should not assume that uploading a cover image automatically makes it visible to everyone.
It is advisable to review the visibility settings before choosing a personal photograph.
The two profile elements serve different purposes.
Feature
Profile picture
Cover photo
| Image format | Usually circular | Wide landscape banner |
| Main purpose | Identify or represent the user | Personalise the profile |
| Placement | Profile and relevant chat interfaces | Upper profile and chat information areas |
| Can both be used? | Yes | Yes |
| Availability | Widely available | Selected Android beta testers |
The cover photo provides additional space for personal expression without removing the existing profile picture.
Which Android Users Can Get the New Feature?The cover photo option has reportedly appeared in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.43.11.
However, installing the specified beta version does not guarantee immediate access.
WhatsApp frequently introduces experimental features to a limited number of users before expanding availability.
This allows the company to evaluate performance, identify technical issues and make interface adjustments.
As a result, some beta testers may see the cover photo feature while others using the same version may not.
The rollout is expected to expand gradually, although a specific timeline has not been announced.
How to Check Whether the Feature Is AvailableUsers who are enrolled in WhatsApp's Android beta programme can check whether an update is available through the Google Play Store.
After updating the app, they can open their WhatsApp profile settings and look for the cover photo editing option.
If the option is missing, it may simply mean that the feature has not yet been enabled for their account.
Users should avoid downloading modified WhatsApp applications or unofficial installation files that promise early access to experimental features.
Such applications may create privacy and security risks.
The official WhatsApp listing is available through WhatsApp on Google Play.
The supplied report focuses on the Android beta rollout.
It does not confirm a general release date for iPhone users.
WhatsApp often tests features on different platforms before introducing them more widely, but the timing can vary.
Therefore, iPhone users should wait for official updates rather than assuming the Android beta rollout guarantees immediate iOS availability.
The feature appears to be part of WhatsApp's broader efforts to improve personalisation.
A cover photo allows users to give their profiles a more distinctive appearance without changing the main messaging experience.
The addition of privacy controls is particularly important because users may want to display personal images only to selected contacts.
The reported Meta AI option could also make it easier to create a cover photo without using a personal photograph.
However, WhatsApp has not yet announced all the final details of the feature's stable release.
WhatsApp Cover Photo Feature 2026: Latest UpdateWhatsApp is gradually introducing profile cover photos to selected Android beta testers.
The feature allows users to add a horizontal image above their profile information while retaining their existing profile picture.
Users may be able to choose images from their gallery, capture new photos or generate cover images using Meta AI.
The update also includes privacy options for controlling who can view the image.
The key takeaway: WhatsApp's new cover photo feature is currently available only to selected Android beta testers using a supported version. It is not yet a confirmed feature for all users, and the company has not announced a public rollout date.