WhatsApp allows users to set a status update that is visible to their contacts. This can be text, photos, videos and GIFs. The status is displayed at the top of the chat window and disappears after 24 hours. Videos can be uploaded as a status directly from the camera or gallery. There is a 15 second time limit for videos used as a WhatsApp status.
Setting a Video Status
Uploading a video as your WhatsApp status is easy. Follow these steps:
- Open WhatsApp and tap on the “Status” tab at the bottom.
- Tap on the camera icon at the bottom to capture a new video or tap on the gallery icon to select an existing video from your phone.
- Record a 15 second video clip or select a 15 second video from your gallery.
- You can edit the video by adding text, emojis or drawings. Tap on the pencil icon.
- Once you are happy with the video, tap on the send icon. The video will now upload as your status.
That’s all there is to it! The video will now display at the top of the chat window for your contacts to view. They can tap on it to view the video full screen. It will disappear after 24 hours.
Viewing Video Statuses
To view video statuses from your WhatsApp contacts:
- Open WhatsApp and tap on the “Status” tab.
- You will see a list of your contacts who have uploaded a status update.
- Tap on any contact name to view their status video.
- The video will play automatically. Tap anywhere on the screen to pause/resume playback.
- Swipe left or right to view statuses from other contacts in your list.
- You can reply directly to a status by tapping on the reply icon.
That’s it! Enjoy viewing the latest video statuses from your WhatsApp contacts. Statuses older than 24 hours will disappear from the list.
Managing Privacy
You can control who gets to view your WhatsApp video status updates:
- My Contacts – Your status will be visible only to the contacts saved in your phone’s address book.
- My Contacts Except… – Choose specific contacts to exclude from seeing your status.
- Only Share With… – Restrict your status to only those contacts you select.
To change privacy settings:
- Go to WhatsApp Settings.
- Tap on Account > Privacy.
- Tap on Status.
- Select your desired privacy option.
You can also disable status sharing completely by toggling off “Share your status” in the Privacy settings.
Saving Shared Statuses
Want to save a funny video status shared by a friend? Here’s how:
- View the status and tap on the 3 dots menu icon.
- Select “Save this status”.
- The video will be saved to your phone’s gallery.
You can easily download and save any WhatsApp status update this way. Just be sure to only reuse shared statuses with permission.
Deleting Old Statuses
WhatsApp automatically deletes statuses after 24 hours. But you can also manually delete previous status updates:
- Go to your profile on WhatsApp.
- Tap on the Status tab.
- Here you will see your recent status updates.
- Tap and hold on a status to select it.
- Tap on the trash can icon to delete selected statuses.
This will immediately remove the status updates instead of waiting for them to expire.
Fun Features
WhatsApp offers some fun features to make your video statuses stand out:
- Doodle – Draw or add text to your videos.
- Emojis – Include emojis to express reactions.
- GIFs – Search for cool GIFs to use in your status.
- Front/Rear Camera – Switch between cameras while recording.
- Flash – Keep the flash on for well-lit videos.
Get creative and use these tools to personalize your status updates!
Status Limits
WhatsApp has some limits when using video in your status:
- Videos are limited to 15 seconds.
- Videos will be compressed to save space.
- Only MP4 video format is supported.
- Total status media length can’t exceed 30 seconds.
Make sure your videos are 15 seconds or less before setting as a status update. Longer videos will be automatically truncated.
Troubleshooting
Here are some common issues faced when setting video statuses:
- Can’t upload status – Check internet connection and restart WhatsApp.
- Media not supported error – Ensure the video is MP4 format and under 15 seconds.
- Status not visible – Check your status privacy settings.
- Status not loading – Try re-uploading the video file.
If issues persist, contact WhatsApp support. Usually a quick uninstall and reinstall of the app can resolve minor glitches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my statuses only visible to some contacts?
Check your status privacy settings. By default, statuses are only visible to your phone contacts. You can change this in WhatsApp Settings > Account > Privacy > Status.
Can I share longer videos as status?
No, WhatsApp limits status videos to 15 seconds. Anything longer will be automatically trimmed when uploaded.
Do statuses use my mobile data?
Yes, uploading and viewing statuses will use your mobile data. Use WiFi whenever possible to avoid hefty data charges.
Can I save other people’s statuses?
Yes! You can save any status you view to your phone’s gallery. Just tap the 3 dots menu and select “Save this status”.
Why can’t some contacts see my status updates?
If you have them excluded in your status privacy settings, they won’t be able to view your status. Go to WhatsApp Settings > Account > Privacy > Status to change who can view your status.
Conclusion
WhatsApp status provides a fun way to share video moments with your closest contacts. Just limit videos to 15 seconds, choose privacy settings, and get creative with text, emojis, and drawings. If you ever need to save a funny status from a friend, you can download it to your gallery. Follow the tips in this guide to become a pro at sharing video statuses on WhatsApp!