WhatsApp users will soon be able to manage who can see their last seen, profile picture, about info using desktop app

• WhatsApp is looking to make its desktop application independent of the mobile app.
• The company is reportedly developing a new feature that will allow users to manage the privacy settings directly on their desktop.
• This will allow users to manage who can see their last seen, profile photo, about and more.

WhatsApp is reportedly developing privacy settings for its desktop application. Even after the roll-out of its multi-device support, users cannot change who can see their last seen, profile photo, and about, directly from the desktop.

There are plenty of mobile features missing in the desktop application and the company is looking to bring them to the desktop application to make it independent from the mobile app.

According to WABetaInfo, the new update will allow users to manage their privacy settings on the desktop without using the mobile application. Once released, users will be able to manage their privacy settings such as who can see their last seen, profile photo and about.

This privacy settings menu will also allow users to turn on/off their read receipts and choose who can add you to groups. Even though you can manage the blocked contacts in the currently available desktop application, it will be available in the same privacy settings menu once the development is released.

How to change privacy settings?
Currently, on your mobile phone, you can manage the privacy settings by tapping the three-dot icon on the top right corner and then tapping settings on Android devices. For iOS devices, you can tap settings at the bottom of the screen.

Now, head over to Account > Privacy and you manage your privacy settings that includes last seen, profile photo, about, status, read receipts, groups, live location, blocked contacts and fingerprint lock.

The new development on the desktop may not bring all the options in a single update. Currently, even the account or privacy menu is not available in the desktop application. How we will navigate to the privacy settings page in the desktop application will only be determined after the release of the update.

At the moment, we do not have any timeline on when this new development will be available for users. But, WhatsApp has also launched its desktop beta program for users to test desktop features before it rolls out for the public and if you have signed up for it, you may be able to test this feature before its final roll-out.

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