Overview
- WhatsApp is removing avatars in a gradual rollout, and some users now see in‑app notices that editing is disabled and profile avatars will be taken down.
- Access points for avatars are being stripped from settings, chat info screens, and the keyboard as the change reaches more accounts.
- Avatar stickers that were already sent in chats remain available in recent or favorites, but users cannot create new ones or open an avatar picker from the keyboard.
- Meta has not given a reason or a date for full removal, and regular profile photos are not affected by the change.
- Introduced in late 2022 as part of Meta’s avatar push, the feature appears deprioritized, with reporting pointing to low adoption and limited engagement.