WhatsApp is rolling out a new Android update that makes its parental supervision tools easier to find and configure by introducing a dedicated Parent Controls section within the app's settings.

The update is designed to improve visibility for a feature that was first introduced in March, when WhatsApp launched parent-managed accounts. While the functionality has been available for several months, many users were unaware of its existence or how to activate it.

New Parent Controls Menu in Settings

According to WABetaInfo, the new Parent Controls section appears directly within the settings menu in WhatsApp Beta for Android version 2.26.29.5.

The interface guides parents through the process of linking their account with a child's account using a step-by-step setup, making the feature accessible even for users with limited technical experience.

The feature is currently rolling out gradually to a limited number of beta testers and is expected to become available to more users over the coming weeks.

How WhatsApp's Parental Controls Work

The feature allows a parent's WhatsApp account to be linked to a child's account, giving parents visibility into selected account activities without compromising message privacy.

Once the accounts are connected, WhatsApp automatically redirects messages from unknown phone numbers into a separate Requests folder. Parents can review these incoming requests and choose whether to approve or decline them from their own device.

Importantly, the contents of conversations remain inaccessible to parents, preserving WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption.

Setting Up Supervision on a Child's Device

When users open the Parent Controls section on a child's device, WhatsApp walks them through the account-linking process.

The app also performs a verification step to confirm a legitimate parent-child relationship, helping prevent accounts from being linked to unauthorized users.

The setup experience varies depending on the account's status. If Meta's systems have already identified the account as belonging to a minor, parental supervision settings appear automatically. Otherwise, users are prompted to enable parental controls during the login process.

What Parents Can See

WhatsApp emphasizes that parental supervision does not provide access to private chats or voice and video calls.

Instead, parents can receive notifications about certain account-related activities, including:

When the child adds a new contact.
Changes made to account settings.
Incoming message requests from unknown phone numbers.
Approval or rejection of those message requests.

All conversations, media, and calls remain fully encrypted and private.

Transparency for Children

WhatsApp has also designed the feature to ensure transparency.

Children are clearly informed when their account is linked to a parent's account, and the app explains exactly what information parents can access. Meta says this approach is intended to promote digital safety without enabling hidden monitoring.

Gradual Rollout

The dedicated Parent Controls section is currently available to a limited group of Android beta users.

WhatsApp says the rollout is being conducted in phases, meaning the feature may not yet appear for all testers. The company has not announced a timeline for a wider public release, but availability is expected to expand over the coming weeks.