WhatsApp stories allow users to post photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours. If you want to view someone’s WhatsApp story, here are the steps to follow:
1. Open the WhatsApp app
Launch the WhatsApp app on your mobile device. Make sure you have the latest version installed for the best experience.
2. Go to the Calls tab
At the bottom of the screen, tap on the Calls tab. This is where all your contacts’ stories are collected.
3. View stories
You will see profile icons of contacts who have posted stories at the top. Tap on any profile icon to view that contact’s story. Stories play automatically, but you can tap to pause/resume anytime.
4. See stories from individual chats
Besides the Calls tab, you can also view someone’s story from an individual chat. Open the chat, tap their profile icon at the top. If they have a story, you’ll see “View Status”. Tap on it to see their story.
5. View your own stories
To view stories you have posted, open your profile in WhatsApp. Tap “Status” to see your stories. You can download your stories here if you want to save them.
6. Change privacy settings
By default, anyone in your contacts can view your WhatsApp stories. To change this, go to Settings > Account > Privacy > Status. Here you can choose who can see your status updates.
7. Reply to stories
While viewing someone’s story, tap on the Send Message icon. This will open your chat with them so you can send a text, emoji, etc in response to their story.
8. React to stories
Tap on any frame in a story to reveal options to react with an emoji or text reply. The user will be able to see who reacted to their story.
9. Share stories
Swipe up on a story frame and tap “Forward” to share it with individual or multiple contacts. You can also save stories to your camera roll.
10. View stories anonymously
To view someone’s story without them knowing, go to their profile, tap the 3 dots, and select “View Status”. This prevents the blue ticks from showing up.
Tips for using WhatsApp stories
- Stories disappear after 24 hours so share ephemeral moments.
- You can react and respond to stories you view for fun conversations.
- Use text, stickers, drawings to make your stories creative.
- Add relevant hashtags to your stories so more people can discover them.
- Share posts from Instagram and Facebook to your WhatsApp story easily.
Troubleshooting WhatsApp stories
Can’t see someone’s story
If you can’t view a contact’s story, here are some things to check:
- Make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp installed.
- Check your internet connection and try again.
- Open their chat and check if their profile photo has a story ring icon.
- They may have limited story visibility to specific contacts.
- Send them a message asking if they’ve posted a story recently.
Stories not working
If stories are not working properly for you, try these troubleshooting tips:
- Force close and relaunch the WhatsApp app.
- Update WhatsApp to the latest version available.
- Clear cache and data for WhatsApp and try again.
- Restart your phone and check if stories work.
- Re-install WhatsApp if all else fails.
Can’t post or upload stories
Some common reasons why you may be unable to post WhatsApp stories:
- Low storage space on your phone – delete unused files and free up space.
- Internet connectivity issues – connect to stable WiFi or cellular data.
- Outdated version of WhatsApp – update to the latest version.
- Restricted by your phone settings or third-party apps.
- Stories feature is banned or unavailable in your country.
If you continue facing issues with posting stories, contact WhatsApp support for help.
FAQs about WhatsApp Stories
How long do WhatsApp stories last?
WhatsApp stories automatically disappear after 24 hours. You can also manually delete your stories whenever you want.
Can I save someone’s WhatsApp story?
Yes, open the story, swipe up, and tap “Save” to save that story frame to your phone’s storage. You can also take a screenshot to save it.
Who can see my WhatsApp status?
By default, your WhatsApp status (stories) are visible to all contacts. You can customize this in Settings to show stories to select contacts only.
How do I know if someone saw my story?
There is no direct way to know who has viewed your WhatsApp story. But if someone replies, you’ll know they’ve seen it.
Why can’t some contacts see my story?
If you have limited story visibility in Settings, specific contacts won’t be able to view them. Check your privacy settings.
Can I post multiple photos/videos to one story?
Yes, when creating a new story, tap the + icon at the bottom to add more photos and videos to a single story.
Conclusion
WhatsApp stories provide a fun way to share temporary photos, videos, and updates with your contacts. Just update WhatsApp, go to the Calls tab or individual chats to view stories, and tap profile icons to post your own. Customize visibility and privacy based on your preferences. With the ability to react, reply, forward and save stories, there are many ways to use this feature in your chats.