Want to know who viewed your WhatsApp status update but don’t want others to know you’re keeping tabs? Unfortunately, WhatsApp doesn’t have a built-in way to see the list of people who have viewed your status while keeping your own viewing habits private. However, there are a few tricks and third-party apps that can help you discreetly see your status viewers.
WhatsApp Status Viewer Privacy
When you post a status update, WhatsApp notifies your contacts that you’ve shared something new. When someone views your status, WhatsApp logs this so you can see who has seen your update. However, this viewer list is reciprocal – if you look at the list of viewers on your own status update, those people will know you checked who saw your status. There is no built-in way to secretly view your WhatsApp status viewers.
This two-way visibility is by design to encourage thoughtful sharing and viewing of status updates. If you could stealthily see who viewed your status, you may be tempted to “spy” on friends and contacts in a way that makes them uncomfortable. For better or worse, if you want to see who viewed your status, they have to know you looked.
Notify Contacts Except…
One workaround is to selectively choose which contacts get notified when you share a status update. To do this:
- Open your WhatsApp contact list and tap the three-dot menu next to a contact’s name.
- Tap “Privacy” > “Groups” > “My Contacts Except…”
- Choose which contacts you want to exclude from status notifications. These contacts won’t know when you post a status.
- Post your status update. Only the contacts you didn’t exclude will be notified.
- View your list of status viewers. The contacts you excluded won’t know you looked.
This gives you a way to silently see who views your status updates from your inner circle, while excluding acquaintances from knowing they are being tracked. Use this option judiciously and ethically.
View Statuses Anonymously
Another tactic is to view someone’s status anonymously using airplane mode:
- Open WhatsApp and go to the contact whose status you want to view.
- Turn on Airplane Mode to disable internet access.
- Long press on the contact’s display picture and select “View Status.”
- Swipe through their status updates. Since you’re offline, it won’t register views.
- Close the status window and turn off Airplane Mode to reconnect.
The contact will have no indication you viewed their status. However, this only works for statuses that are 24 hours old or less – anything older won’t load offline.
Use Third-Party Apps
While WhatsApp doesn’t natively support anonymous status viewing, several third-party apps promise this ability:
- Flychat: This Android app lets you view status anonymously, see deleted messages, and download status videos.
- Wstatus: Uses WhatsApp APIs to show who viewed your status and gives options to hide your views.
- Status Saver: An incognito status viewer for Android with other utility features.
Be cautious when using third-party apps related to WhatsApp. Make sure to check reviews, permissions being accessed, and the security practices of the developer.
Beware of Modded or Hacked APKs
You may come across modded or hacked versions of WhatsApp that claim to unlock hidden status viewer capabilities. Typically these are Android APK files downloaded outside the official Google Play Store and sideloaded onto a device.
Modded or cracked apps like GBWhatsApp and WhatsApp Plus are not recommended. These provide unauthorized access to WhatsApp by modifying the app’s code, which:
- Violates WhatsApp’s terms of service
- Opens security risks like malware, spyware, and backdoors
- Can lead to your account being banned by WhatsApp
While tempting, avoid using unofficial modded APKs to access unauthorized WhatsApp features. The risks outweigh the benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there any official way to see WhatsApp status viewers?
No, there is no official solution from WhatsApp to see who viewed your status without them being notified. The two-way visibility of status viewers is intentional to encourage ethical status usage.
Can I see status viewers using Airplane Mode on iPhone?
The Airplane Mode trick only works consistently on Android. On iPhone, you may still get notifications that you viewed a status while offline.
Are WhatsApp Plus and GBWhatsApp safe to use?
No, these third-party modded apps violate WhatsApp’s policies and can put your account and privacy at risk. Avoid using them.
Can someone see if I screenshot their WhatsApp status?
No, WhatsApp does not notify users when someone takes a screenshot of their status. Your screenshots are private.
Will deleting WhatsApp also delete my account?
No, uninstalling the WhatsApp app does not delete your account or messages. You can reinstall it and access your account again unless you manually delete your account before uninstalling.
The Ethical Approach
While the desire to discreetly view status viewers is understandable, the ethically ideal approach is to use WhatsApp features as designed. If you want to see who viewed your status, be prepared for them to know you looked. And respect others’ privacy by not trying to stealthily view their statuses.
WhatsApp’s reciprocal status visibility promotes transparency and accountability in how the platform gets used. Avoid the temptation to sneak around these intendend restrictions. If you need to anonymously view someone’s status for legitimate reasons, be thoughtful in using the more covert workarounds.
Remember, your WhatsApp contacts are real people – treat them with the respect and courtesy you would want yourself.