- What's changed with WhatsApp avatars
- How to send your avatar stickers
- Using your avatar on your profile
- Alternatives now that new avatars are gone
- Why can't I find my avatar stickers?
- Is it worth keeping your old avatar?
- For business accounts
- Making your WhatsApp profile stand out without an avatar
- My verdict
- Frequently asked questions
WhatsApp no longer lets you create new avatars. Its help centre says you can't create new avatars, but if you already made one you can keep using your avatar stickers in chats and channels, and keep it alongside your profile photo. For a new look, you may be offered an AI-generated profile photo instead.
If you've gone looking for the WhatsApp avatar maker and can't find it, you're not imagining it. WhatsApp's own help centre now says you can't create new avatars. Existing avatars still work, though, so here's what you can still do, what's gone, and the alternatives for a fresh profile look.
What's changed with WhatsApp avatars
| What you want to do | What WhatsApp says |
|---|---|
| Create a brand new avatar | Not possible. You can't create new avatars |
| Use avatar stickers you already have | Yes, you can continue using existing avatar stickers |
| Send avatar stickers in chats and channels | Yes, including social stickers with two avatars |
| Show an avatar on your profile | Yes, you can set an avatar alongside your profile picture |
So the feature hasn't disappeared for everyone. If you built an avatar before the change, it's still yours to use. What you can't do is start from scratch.
How to send your avatar stickers
- Open an individual or group chat.
- Tap the sticker button in the message bar.
- Tap your avatar, or the avatar icon.
- Tap the sticker you want to send.
WhatsApp says you can share avatar stickers in chats and channels, including social stickers that show your avatar with someone else's. They're a quick way to react without typing.
Using your avatar on your profile
WhatsApp lets you set an avatar alongside your profile picture. If you already have one, open your profile from Settings and look for the avatar option next to your photo. Your profile also includes your name, which has a 25-character limit, and your About, both of which you can edit from the same screen.
You can control who sees your profile photo and About in your privacy settings. If you block someone, WhatsApp says they won't see updates to your photo or About.
Alternatives now that new avatars are gone
- An AI-generated profile photo. WhatsApp says you might have the option to generate an AI image for your profile photo. It's only available in limited countries, and only some languages are supported for prompts, including English, Arabic, French, Hindi, Indonesian, Portuguese, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai and Vietnamese.
- Your own sticker packs. WhatsApp has guides for creating and sharing your own sticker packs and AI stickers.
- Avatars from other Meta apps. Instagram and Facebook still have avatar makers of their own, if you just want a cartoon you for those apps.
Why can't I find my avatar stickers?
- You never created one. If you didn't make an avatar before the change, there's nothing to show, and you can't make one now.
- Your app needs updating. WhatsApp notes you might need to update the app to use stickers.
- Your stickers are blank. WhatsApp says blank stickers can be a sign of a corrupted backup.
- You're looking in the wrong tab. Open the sticker panel and tap the avatar icon rather than browsing sticker packs.
Is it worth keeping your old avatar?
If you have one, yes. Since you can't create a new one, your existing avatar stickers are a bit of a collector's item. Think twice before deleting anything avatar-related, because you won't be able to rebuild it in WhatsApp later. WhatsApp's privacy notice for avatars says creating one was always optional and you stay in control of how you use it.
If you're giving your WhatsApp profile a refresh, our guide to finding a WhatsApp ID helps people find you, and here's whether WhatsApp counts as social media if you're deciding how to use it for your business.
For business accounts
Avatars were always more of a personal feature than a business one. For a business profile, a clear logo or a friendly photo of you does more for trust than a cartoon. If you used an avatar on your business profile in the past, it's a good moment to switch to your logo or a real photo.
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Making your WhatsApp profile stand out without an avatar
- Use a clear, recent photo. People recognise faces faster than cartoons, especially in group chats.
- Write a short About. WhatsApp lets you pick a pre-made About or write your own, and choose how long it shows.
- Keep your name tidy. Your profile name has a 25-character limit, and WhatsApp says people in groups who haven't saved your number can see it.
- Check your privacy. Decide who can see your profile photo and About in your privacy settings.
These small details matter more than a cartoon, especially if people message you for work. A clear photo and a short About tell someone they've found the right person.
If you do miss having a cartoon version of yourself, remember stickers are still open to you. WhatsApp has guides on creating your own sticker packs and AI stickers, so you can make something personal without the avatar maker.
My verdict
WhatsApp has stopped new avatars: its help centre says you can't create them any more. If you already have one, keep using your avatar stickers in chats and channels and alongside your profile photo. If you don't, look at the AI profile photo option where it's available, or make your own sticker pack instead.
Frequently asked questions
Can you still make an avatar on WhatsApp?
No. WhatsApp's help centre says you can't create new avatars, but you can keep using existing avatar stickers.
How do I send my WhatsApp avatar stickers?
Open a chat, tap the sticker button, tap your avatar or the avatar icon, then tap a sticker to send it.
Can I use my avatar as my WhatsApp profile picture?
WhatsApp lets you set an avatar alongside your profile picture, if you already have one.
What can I use instead of a WhatsApp avatar?
WhatsApp may offer an AI-generated profile photo in some countries, and you can create your own sticker packs.
