WhatsApp Cover Photo: Facebook-Style Banners Enter iPhone Beta Testing

WhatsApp Cover Photo is a new feature being tested for iPhone users, bringing Facebook-style cover banners to WhatsApp profiles. The wide photo appears above the profile picture, name and About section, giving users another way to personalise their profile. It adds a larger visual area to a profile without changing the familiar details people already use to identify an account. The feature is still being tested, so the option may not appear on every device.

• WhatsApp is testing profile cover photos that appear above the profile picture and About section.
• Users can select a gallery image, take a new photo or create a banner with Meta AI.
• The feature is limited to select iPhone beta users, with no public rollout date confirmed.

WhatsApp Cover Photo Feature: How It Works

The new cover banner sits at the top of a user’s WhatsApp profile. It appears above the profile picture, name and About details, much like the cover photo on Facebook. Users can choose an existing picture from their phone, take a fresh photo or use Meta AI to create a custom banner.

The WhatsApp Cover Photo feature gives profiles a wider space for personalisation without replacing the existing profile picture. The profile picture continues to serve as the main account image, while the cover photo adds a larger background-style visual above it. This means users can keep their familiar profile photo and use the banner for a different image, such as a favourite place, a personal design or a picture that reflects their interests.

The WhatsApp Cover Photo layout also changes how the profile page is arranged. Instead of showing only a small profile image, the top of the page gets a broader visual area. The cover photo is an additional profile element; it does not replace the name or About information. Users who do not want to add a banner can continue using their profile without one, unless WhatsApp changes this behaviour before the final release.

Setting up a WhatsApp Cover Photo gives users three ways to prepare the image. You can pick a photo already saved on your iPhone, use the camera to take a new one, or create an image with Meta AI. The crop tool helps adjust the selected picture to fit the wide space. A photo that looks good in a square profile picture may need a different crop for a banner, so it is worth checking the preview before saving. For more profile controls, see our guide to WhatsApp timed About status updates. More information about the app is available on the official WhatsApp website.

WhatsApp Cover Photo on iPhone: How to Set It

If the WhatsApp Cover Photo option is available on your beta account, follow these steps to add a cover photo. The menu option may not be visible if your account has not received the test feature yet. First, make sure you are checking the profile settings in the WhatsApp account enrolled in the beta.

• 📱 Open WhatsApp on your iPhone. Use the account where the cover photo option is available.
• ⚙️ Go to Settings and tap your profile at the top. This opens the page with your profile picture, name and About details.
• 🖼️ Tap Edit Cover Photo. If this option is missing, the feature may not have reached your beta account yet.
• 📸 Choose a photo from your iPhone gallery or take a new picture with the camera. You can also create a banner with Meta AI if that option is shown.
• ✂️ Use the crop tool to adjust the image for the wide cover area. Move the picture until the part you want to show fits inside the preview.
• 👀 Check the preview before saving. Make sure important parts of the photo are not cut off near the edges.
• 💾 Tap Save to apply the cover photo to your profile. You can return to the same setting later if you want to change it.

If you are choosing an image from the gallery, a clear photo with enough space around the main subject can be easier to fit into the banner. Avoid placing important details too close to the top or bottom edge, as the crop may hide them. The preview is the best way to check how the image will look in the profile layout. You do not need to change your profile picture to use a separate cover photo.

WhatsApp Cover Photo Availability on iOS and Android

The WhatsApp Cover Photo feature has been spotted in WhatsApp iOS beta version 26.43.10.70. It is currently available only to select iPhone beta testers, so not every beta user will see the Edit Cover Photo option yet. A beta listing does not mean that all users enrolled in testing can access it at the same time. WhatsApp can enable a feature for a limited group first and expand access in stages while it checks how the feature works.

WhatsApp is also testing the feature on Android. However, the company has not confirmed when it will reach more beta users or become available in the stable app. There is no confirmed date for a wider iPhone or Android rollout. The feature may become available to more testers before a general release, but users should not treat the current beta appearance as a promise of a specific launch date.

If you are using the regular WhatsApp app and cannot find the cover photo setting, there is nothing you need to fix on your phone. You can also review our WhatsApp profile and personalisation feature coverage for other changes being tested in the app. The feature is still in testing and may be enabled for accounts gradually. Keep WhatsApp updated through the relevant app store and check your profile settings again when a newer version becomes available. Updating the app alone may not unlock the feature if your account is not included in the test group.

Conclusion

The WhatsApp Cover Photo feature adds a new way to customise profiles with a wide banner above the profile picture and About details. Users can choose a gallery photo, take a picture or create one with Meta AI, then adjust the crop before saving. It gives people more room to personalise a profile while keeping the existing profile picture in place. For now, testing is limited to select iPhone beta users, while Android testing is also underway. WhatsApp has not confirmed when the feature will reach all users, so those on the stable app may have to wait.

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