WhatsApp Starts Rolling Out Profile Pictures in iOS Message Notifications - MacRumors
Skip to Content

WhatsApp Starts Rolling Out Profile Pictures in iOS Message Notifications

WhatsApp is testing a helpful new feature on iOS that displays profile pictures in system notifications when users receive new messages from chats and groups.

whatsapp notification

Image credit: WABetaInfo

First spotted by app specialist WABetaInfo, the first new feature for the platform in 2022 uses APIs in iOS 15 to add the WhatsApp profile images to notifications in top-screen banners and in the Notification Center when users receive a message.

WhatsApp on Android has been able to display the profile pictures in system notifications for some time, so this change brings parity to the app across both platforms.

If you don't see the profile pictures in your notifications yet, that's because WhatsApp is first making the change for beta testers so they can report bugs, before the feature is rolled out to millions of users on iOS devices worldwide.

The last update to WhatsApp came in December, and was a privacy change to prevent people on the messaging platform from viewing the "Last Seen" status of users whom they have never chatted with.

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.4 Adds Two New Features to CarPlay

Tuesday March 24, 2026 1:55 pm PDT by
iOS 26.4 was released today, and it includes a couple of new features for CarPlay: an Ambient Music widget and support for voice-based chatbot apps. To update your iPhone 11 or newer to iOS 26.4, open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update. CarPlay will automatically offer the new features so long as the iPhone connected to your vehicle is running iOS 26.4 or later....
Apple Business hero

Apple Unveils 'Apple Business' All-in-One Platform

Tuesday March 24, 2026 8:53 am PDT by
Apple today announced Apple Business, a new all-in-one platform that unifies device management, productivity tools, and customer outreach features. The service is designed to be a consolidated replacement for several of Apple's existing business-focused offerings, including Apple Business Essentials, Apple Business Manager, and Apple Business Connect. It provides organizations with a single...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Tuesday March 24, 2026 12:31 pm PDT by
Apple today released new firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and the AirPods 4. The firmware has a version number of 8B39, up from 8B34 on the AirPods Pro 3, 8B28 on the AirPods Pro 2, and 8B21 on the AirPods 4. There is no word on what's included in the firmware, but Apple has a support document with limited notes. Most updates are limited to bug fixes and performance...

Top Rated Comments

TFK. Avatar
55 months ago
Now please fix the poor photo sharing resolution rate -.-"
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kiranmk2 Avatar
55 months ago
Where's that iPad app?
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iDento Avatar
55 months ago

I wish I could get away from WhatsApp, but so many people use it. I have got some Android family members on Viber. What's the best alternative?
My relatives and friends all use WhatsApp, even people with iPhones.

Apple should either make an iMessage app for Android and Windows, or they can just make an app that aggregates all texting apps into it, like how Files app works with OneDrive and Dropbox.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
55 months ago

I wish I could get away from WhatsApp, but so many people use it. I have got some Android family members on Viber. What's the best alternative?
Signal. In the past few years the app as got a lot slicker. It has all the features that WhatsApp and it works really well.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Christoffee Avatar
55 months ago
I wish I could get away from WhatsApp, but so many people use it. I have got some Android family members on Viber. What's the best alternative?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
akbarali.ch Avatar
55 months ago

I wish I could get away from WhatsApp, but so many people use it. I have got some Android family members on Viber. What's the best alternative?
Telegram, i suppose. Even i'm trying to get away from it.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)