The quick answer is that currently there is no direct way to hide someone else’s status updates on WhatsApp. However, there are a few workarounds you can use to avoid seeing a particular contact’s status updates.
Understanding WhatsApp Status
The WhatsApp status feature allows users to share text, photos, videos and GIFs that disappear after 24 hours. It’s similar to the stories feature on other social media platforms. When someone you have in your contacts posts a status update, you can view it by tapping on their profile photo in the chat list. Their profile photo will have a colorful ring around it indicating they have an active status update.
Status updates are end-to-end encrypted like WhatsApp messages. Only people you choose can see your status updates. You can control who can view your status updates by adjusting your privacy settings. Similarly, others can control whether you’re able to view their status updates.
Why You Might Want to Hide Someone’s Status
Here are some common reasons why you may want to hide a contact’s WhatsApp status updates:
- You find their frequent status updates annoying or irrelevant.
- You want to avoid someone seeing that you’ve viewed their status update.
- Seeing their updates brings up negative emotions.
- You want to temporarily pause interactions with that person.
- Their updates clutter your chat list when you’re trying to message other people.
Ways to Hide Someone’s WhatsApp Status
1. Mute Their Updates
If you don’t want to completely block or delete the contact, you can mute their status updates specifically:
- Open your chat list and tap on the contact whose status you want to mute.
- Tap the three dots menu in the top right corner.
- Select ‘Mute’ and then choose ‘Mute Status’.
This will disable notifications for that contact’s status updates. You won’t see a ring around their profile photo when they post a new status. However, you can still manually view their status updates by tapping on their profile photo.
2. Disable Read Receipts
You can prevent the contact from knowing when you’ve viewed their status update by disabling read receipts:
- Go to WhatsApp Settings.
- Select Account > Privacy.
- Turn off ‘Read Receipts’.
This will stop your Read receipts and blue ticks from being sent to everyone. The contact won’t be able to see if you’ve viewed their status update.
3. Block Them
Blocking the contact on WhatsApp prevents you from receiving their calls and messages. It also hides their status updates completely:
- Go to the chat screen with the contact.
- Tap the three dots menu.
- Select More > Block contact.
This essentially hides your online existence from the blocked contact. You won’t be notified about their status updates and your Read receipts won’t be sent to them either.
4. Delete or Archive Chat
If you delete or archive your chat with the contact, their status ring and updates will be hidden. But this also removes access to your messaging history with them.
- Go to the chat screen with the contact.
- Tap and hold the chat.
- Choose ‘Delete chat’ or ‘Archive’.
Archive just removes the chat from your main interface. You can still access it when needed. With delete, the chat will be permanently erased after 30 days unless you have a backup.
5. Disable Status Visibility
You can stop specific contacts from seeing your status updates. This indirectly prevents you from seeing their’s too:
- Go to WhatsApp Settings.
- Tap Account > Privacy > Status.
- Tap ‘My Contacts Except’.
- Select the contacts to exclude.
This stops you from receiving status updates from those specific contacts. You won’t see their profile photo rings or updates.
Indirect Ways to Avoid Status Updates
Aside from the options above, there are some indirect techniques you can use to avoid or minimize status updates from certain contacts:
- Temporarily disable your WhatsApp account if you want to take a break from everyone’s updates.
- Use WhatsApp on desktop or web where status updates are less prominent.
- Quickly scroll past their status rings without opening them.
- Clear all your chat notifications without viewing them.
- Resize the chat list to hide profile photos and status rings.
- Turn off auto-download for media in status updates.
While not foolproof, these tips can reduce the annoyance and visibility of status updates you want to avoid.
Status Privacy vs. Stalking
While status updates are intended to be an opt-in social feature, some users understandably want to browse them privately. However, actively hiding and repeatedly viewing someone’s status against their wishes could be considered stalking behavior.
If someone has intentionally blocked you from seeing their status, you should respect their privacy. Continuing to find ways to view their status could qualify as harassment or obsessive behavior without consent.
There’s a fine ethical line between giving someone space by hiding their updates vs. invading their privacy without permission. Consider the other person’s preferences and comfort levels before taking steps to conceal your status viewing activity.
WhatsApp Status FAQs
Can I hide my status from specific contacts?
Yes, you can customize your privacy settings to exclude specific contacts from seeing your status updates.
Can I see someone’s status without them knowing?
If you turn off Read Receipts, disable status viewability for them, or view from Notification Centre, they won’t get notified. But repeated anonymous viewing could be unethical.
Can I prevent someone from stalking my status updates?
Blocking or restricting status access for a contact is the only guaranteed way to prevent them viewing your updates.
What happens if I block someone on WhatsApp?
Blocking hides your online status, messages, and status updates from the contact. You also won’t be notified about their updates.
Can I mute someone’s status permanently?
No, muting status updates is temporary. But you can repeatedly mute their updates manually or block them completely.
The Bottom Line
While WhatsApp doesn’t allow hiding someone else’s status directly, options like muting, blocking, disabling receipts and limiting status visibility can achieve a similar effect. Be mindful of avoiding updates in a respectful manner without crossing privacy boundaries.