WhatsApp status allows users to share photos, videos, and GIFs that disappear after 24 hours. However, some users have noticed a decrease in image and video quality after posting to their status. There are a few potential causes for this quality loss.
Compression by WhatsApp
To save on data usage and storage, WhatsApp compresses photos, videos, and other media before uploading them. This compression inevitably leads to some reduction in quality. For photos, WhatsApp re-sizes images to 720px if the original is larger. Videos are compressed to a lower bitrate. This compression happens behind the scenes before your status is uploaded.
Original media quality
The initial quality of the photo or video also plays a role. Low resolution source material will look even worse after WhatsApp compression. Using high resolution originals is important to preserve quality.
Multiple forwards and saves
Media can degrade when downloaded, re-uploaded, and shared multiple times. A photo or video you received may have already been compressed before you uploaded it as a status. Each time media is downloaded and re-uploaded, some quality is typically lost.
Viewing on different devices
Photos and videos will naturally look worse when viewed on lower resolution devices. A high-res image will appear much crisper on a retina iPad screen vs an older Android phone. The way WhatsApp adapts media for different devices can impact perceived quality.
Tips for avoiding quality loss
Here are some tips to help preserve quality when sharing to your WhatsApp status:
- Use high resolution source files – Images over 720px and videos with higher bitrates help minimize compression artifacts.
- Avoid forwarding media – Download and re-uploading causes generational loss.
- Re-encode videos – Consider using a third party app to encode videos at optimal settings before uploading.
- View statuses on high-res devices – Viewing on an iPhone or modern high-DPI Android screens shows better quality.
- Stick to shorter videos – Long videos require more compression to control file size.
- Clean your camera lens – Smudges or dirt on a lens can reduce image sharpness.
- Use proper lighting – Well lit scenes will usually look cleaner than poorly lit low-light shots.
- Try editing before uploading – Apps like Snapseed can optimize photos before uploading.
Is the quality loss avoidable?
WhatsApp will always compress media to save storage space and data usage. So some quality loss is inevitable. However, following best practices can help maximize quality within the constraints of WhatsApp’s compression. The tips above can help reduce quality degradation when sharing photos and videos to your status.
Reporting quality issues
If you notice consistent and significant quality loss on WhatsApp status that negatively impacts the user experience, consider reporting it as a bug. Open WhatsApp, go to Settings – Help – Contact Us and describe the issue. Screenshots and video samples help WhatsApp improve their compression algorithms over time.
Third party apps for statuses
Alternatively, consider using a third party app like Status Saver or WAStatus to upload your statuses. These apps allow uploading videos at higher resolutions with less compression. However, keep in mind that anyone viewing your status within WhatsApp will still experience some quality loss as the video gets resized and compressed when delivered through WhatsApp’s servers.
Using Google Photos or Dropbox links
Another workaround is to upload your media to Google Photos or Dropbox, then share the link to the file through your status update. Anyone who clicks the link will view the full high resolution file. However, the link itself doesn’t preview within your status reel. So users must proactively click it to view the original quality media.
Is WhatsApp planning improvements?
WhatsApp has not officially commented on upgrades to their status compression algorithms. However, we can expect steady improvements over time as they optimize how media gets resized and encoded before uploading. WhatsApp frequently tweaks the bitrates and resolutions used for images, videos, and other files shared on the platform. More efficient hardware and encoders on phones also help improve quality.
Summary
To recap, WhatsApp status quality loss is generally caused by compression to reduce file sizes before uploading media. The initial source quality, multiple forwards, viewing device, and other factors also contribute. While some quality loss is inevitable, following best practices can help maximize quality. Reporting issues to WhatsApp can potentially improve their algorithms over time. And alternative apps provide workarounds for sharing higher resolution statuses.