WhatsApp’s status feature allows users to share photos, videos, and text updates that disappear after 24 hours. By default, your status updates are visible to all of your WhatsApp contacts. However, you can choose to share your status updates with only certain people by using WhatsApp’s “close friends” feature.
What are WhatsApp Close Friends?
WhatsApp’s close friends feature allows you to share your status updates with only a select group of contacts, rather than all of your WhatsApp contacts. When you set a contact as a close friend on WhatsApp, your status updates will only be visible to those selected close friends.
This gives you more control over who can view your status updates. For example, you may want to share certain status updates only with your closest friends and family members, not all of your WhatsApp contacts.
How to Use WhatsApp Close Friends
Using the close friends feature on WhatsApp is simple:
- Open WhatsApp and tap on the Settings icon (the 3 dots or 3 lines in the top right corner)
- Go to Privacy > Status > My Contacts Except…
- This will bring up your full contacts list. Tap on the contacts you want to set as close friends.
- A green tick will appear next to all the contacts you select as close friends. Tap OK when finished.
Now when you share a status update, you will have the option to share with All Contacts, Close Friends, or Custom Contacts (any specific people you want to share that particular update with).
If you select Close Friends, your status will only be visible to the contacts you have previously set as close friends. All other contacts will not be able to view that status update.
How to Change Your Close Friends
You can edit your close friends list at any time to add or remove contacts:
- Go to WhatsApp Settings > Privacy > Status > My Contacts Except…
- This will show your current close friends list. Tap the green tick next to any contact to remove them from close friends.
- To add new close friends, scroll down your contacts list and tap on any new contacts you want to add. A green tick will appear.
- Tap OK when finished to save your updated close friends list.
Tips for Using Close Friends
- Be selective – Only add very close contacts you are comfortable sharing private updates with.
- Customize by update – You can choose who sees each status update, not just close friends for everything.
- Remember close friends see all – Unlike Instagram close friends, WhatsApp shows all your status updates to close friends.
- Edit regularly – Periodically review your close friends to remove inactive contacts or add new close connections.
- Inform others – Let VIP contacts know they are a close friend so they expect exclusive status access from you.
Common Close Friends Questions
Can I see who views my close friends status?
No, WhatsApp does not show you who has viewed your status updates, even if they are close friends only. Status views remain anonymous.
Do my close friends know they are close friends?
No, WhatsApp does not notify contacts that they have been added to your close friends list. It remains private.
Can I set groups as close friends?
No, only individual contacts can be set as close friends on WhatsApp, you cannot select entire groups.
Can I set close friends on WhatsApp Web/Desktop?
Currently close friends can only be managed on the WhatsApp mobile app, the feature is not yet available on WhatsApp Web/Desktop.
Will my contacts know I created a close friends list?
No, it remains completely private. Contacts will not know if they are on your close friends list or not.
Troubleshooting Close Friends
Close friend can’t see my status
- Confirm contact is still on your close friends list in settings
- Double check you selected “Close Friends” not “All Contacts” when posting
- Ensure your phone and their phone have the latest WhatsApp version
- Have them try viewing your status on WhatsApp Web if on mobile
Accidentally posted public status instead of close friends
- Quickly delete the status update by tapping and holding on it
- Post a new status update and be sure to choose “Close Friends” instead of “All Contacts”
- Your public status was only live for 24 hours before being deleted
Can’t see a close friend’s status update
- Make sure you are still on their close friends list in WhatsApp settings
- Check that both you and your friend have the latest WhatsApp version
- Some updates are only shared with a few custom close friends, not the whole list
- Have your friend double check that they chose “Close Friends” not “All Contacts”
Conclusion
WhatsApp’s close friends feature allows for more control over status sharing with your inner circle. Carefully choose who to add as a close friend, inform them of their status, and regularly review your list to get the most out of this exclusive status audience. Utilize close friends to share personal updates without going fully public to all contacts.