Discord has announced another batch of changes for August 2026, and several of them affect how people present themselves, add friends, and control what others can see. The update includes private profile controls, notes on friend requests, spoiler channels, game mentions, richer profile-bio formatting, profile frames, and Meta Quest support.

Discord shared the feature roundup through its official August 2026 announcement on X and the in-app Settings > What's New page dated August 11, 2026. Some features may still appear gradually as Discord completes its rollout.

Source: feature details are summarized from Discord's official August 11, 2026 announcement on X. Images from the announcement are not reproduced here.

Discord's August 2026 update at a glance

  • Control who can see your full Discord profile.
  • Add context when sending a friend request.
  • Hide spoiler-channel content until members choose to view it.
  • Mention supported games in desktop messages with @game.
  • Format profile bios with desktop editing controls.
  • Use profile frames and access Discord directly on Meta Quest.

Private profiles give you more control over visibility

Discord's Profile Privacy setting lets you decide who can see your full profile. The available choices are Friends & All Servers, Friends & Small Servers Only, and Friends Only. Discord defines a small server as one with 200 or fewer members.

According to Discord's Profile Privacy guide, the setting can hide your bio, custom status, pronouns, badges, activity, connected accounts, widgets, and wishlists from people outside the audience you choose.

What remains visible on a private profile?

A private profile does not make the account anonymous. Discord says the avatar, banner, display name, username, server tag, account age, and mutual friends or servers remain visible. Profile privacy also does not change who can send friend requests or DMs; those controls are managed separately.

Friend request notes add useful context

Discord now lets you attach a note when sending a friend request. That small addition solves a common problem: a username alone may not remind someone where you met, especially after a busy game session, event, or large community chat.

A useful note should be short and specific, such as "We played together in the Friday tournament" or "We met in the design server." Avoid putting private information in the note, because its purpose is simply to help the recipient recognize the request.

The feature helps with new connections, but it cannot add context retroactively to old ones. If you are already trying to identify someone from an older conversation or changed username, Friendcord can help you search your Discord history for lost friends and DMs.

Spoiler channels add an opt-in layer

Server moderators can now designate a channel as a spoiler channel. Members see a notice before entering and can choose whether to reveal the channel's contents. This is useful for plot discussions, emotionally heavy topics, or any conversation people may prefer not to encounter unexpectedly.

Discord's Spoiler Channels FAQ says text, voice, forum, and announcement channels can use the setting. It is different from an age-restricted channel: spoiler channels do not trigger age verification and must not be used to avoid labeling sexually explicit content correctly.

How moderators enable a spoiler channel

On desktop or the web app, open Edit Channel, find Content Visibility in the Overview tab, enable Spoiler Channel, and save. Adding a clear channel topic helps members understand what they are choosing to view.

Desktop messages can mention games with @game

On desktop, typing @game lets you search for a game that has a Discord profile and embed it in a message. Discord's examples include @game Palworld and @game Sunderfolk. Mobile support was described as still in development in the August announcement.

This should make game recommendations easier to recognize than plain text, especially in busy servers. If the option does not appear yet, update Discord and wait for the rollout rather than assuming every account or platform receives it at the same time.

Profile bios get richer formatting controls

Discord's desktop profile editor now offers visual formatting controls for bios, reducing the need to memorize Markdown. The announcement artwork shows controls for common formatting such as bold, italics, underline, strikethrough, quotes, code, and spoiler styling.

The practical benefit is a more predictable preview while editing. Formatting should still be used sparingly: a short, readable bio usually communicates more than a profile filled with competing styles.

Profile frames expand Discord customization

Profile Frames are decorative borders that wrap around your profile. Discord's Profile Frames FAQ says frames can be applied globally or per server and appear on profile pop-outs and full profile cards.

Frames are currently in Nitro Early Access, so availability may differ between subscribers and other users. Discord says Shop inventory can also change over time.

Discord is available directly on Meta Quest

Discord is now downloadable from Meta's Horizon App Store, replacing older browser or sideloading workarounds. Discord's Meta Quest announcement says the app supports servers, DMs, group DMs, calls, Meta Avatar video chat, and streaming Quest gameplay to Discord.

The app can stay pinned in your virtual environment, making it easier to read or reply without removing the headset. Hardware support, promotion eligibility, and individual features can vary, so check Discord's current Quest listing before relying on a particular capability.

Why this update matters

The most meaningful changes are not the cosmetic ones. Profile privacy gives people clearer control over audience, friend request notes preserve context at the moment a connection begins, and spoiler channels give communities a proper opt-in tool without misusing age restrictions.

Together, the changes point toward a Discord experience that is more deliberate about identity and context. That is valuable in an app where the same account may appear among close friends, small hobby servers, and very large public communities.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Discord's Profile Privacy setting?

Open User Settings, choose Data & Privacy, and scroll to Profile Privacy. On mobile, open the You Bar first, then Settings and Data & Privacy.

Do private profiles stop friend requests or DMs?

No. Discord says profile visibility does not control friend requests or DMs. Those settings remain separate.

Are spoiler channels the same as age-restricted channels?

No. Spoiler channels ask members to opt in before viewing content but do not trigger age verification. Sexually explicit content still requires the appropriate age-restricted label.

Why can I not use @game on mobile?

Discord announced @game mentions for desktop and said mobile support is in development. The feature may also roll out gradually.

Are Discord Profile Frames free?

Frames are Shop collectibles, and Discord currently describes them as Nitro Early Access. Check the Shop preview and current terms before purchasing.