WhatsApp status is a feature that allows you to share photos, videos, and GIFs that disappear after 24 hours. Many new WhatsApp users don’t fully understand how statuses work or how to use them properly. This comprehensive guide will explain everything you need to know.
What Exactly Are WhatsApp Statuses?
In a nutshell, WhatsApp status updates are multimedia posts that let your contacts see what you’re currently doing or how you’re feeling. You can post fun photos and videos as your status that will be visible to all your WhatsApp contacts. After 24 hours, that status automatically expires and is deleted.
Statuses are similar to the “stories” feature used on other social media platforms like Instagram or Snapchat. They give you a way to share moments from your daily life without cluttering up people’s chat feeds.
How to View Statuses
To view statuses from your contacts:
- Open the WhatsApp app
- Tap on the “Status” tab at the top of the screen
- This will display a list of your contacts who have recently posted status updates
- Tap on any contact name to view their latest status post
- Swipe up to view their previous status updates that haven’t yet expired
How to Post a Status
Posting your own status update is easy too. Just follow these steps:
- Open WhatsApp and tap on the camera icon in the top left
- This will open your phone’s camera. Take a photo or record a quick video.
- You can also select a photo/video from your phone’s library instead of taking something new.
- After selecting a photo/video, tap on the “My Status” button at the bottom.
- Crop or make any edits you want, add text or stickers, then post it as your status update.
That’s it! The status will now be visible to all your WhatsApp contacts for 24 hours.
Things to Know About Statuses
Here are some important tips to keep in mind about WhatsApp statuses:
- You can view who has viewed your status update by tapping on “Viewed by” under your status.
- To limit who can see your status, go to WhatsApp Settings > Account > Privacy > Status > My Contacts Except…
- Replying to someone’s status will send them a private WhatsApp message.
- Statuses are end-to-end encrypted like WhatsApp messages.
- If you want a status to stick around for longer than 24 hours, you can pin it and it will stay posted.
- You can forward other people’s statuses as private messages.
- Shake your phone while viewing a status to report it to WhatsApp.
Creative Ways to Use Statuses
Statuses don’t have to just be random selfies or boring scenes. Get creative with your status updates! Here are some fun ways to make better use of WhatsApp statuses:
- Share Music: Post 15-30 second clips of songs you’re listening to.
- Show Your Art: Snap photos of drawings, crafts, or anything artsy you’re working on.
- Post Memes: WhatsApp statuses are perfect for sharing funny memes and making friends laugh.
- Spread Positivity: Brighten someone’s day by posting inspiring quotes or happy thoughts.
- Be Silly: Record videos using fun filters, effects or stickers available in WhatsApp.
- Share Recipes: Give your contacts cooking inspiration by posting recipes or food pics.
The options are endless! Don’t limit yourself to boring selfies or landscapes. Get innovative with the type of content you put on your WhatsApp status.
Common Status Mistakes to Avoid
Whilestatuses are fun, they can also easily be misused. Keep these things in mind:
- Oversharing: Don’t overpost personal details or intimate moments.
- Text-only: Plain text statuses look dull. Use photos/videos instead.
- Bad lighting: Make sure your photos/videos are clearly visible.
- Spamming: Don’t flood your status with tons of rapid-fire posts.
- Old content: Don’t keep re-posting the same old statuses.
- Offensive material: Don’t share anything illegal, dangerous or inappropriate.
It’s okay to post regularly, but don’t go overboard. Follow basic etiquette to avoid annoying your WhatsApp contacts.
Status Privacy Settings
Want to control who gets to view your WhatsApp status updates? You have options.
Go to WhatsApp Settings > Account > Privacy > Status Privacy. From here you can choose:
- My Contacts: Your status will only be visible to your contacts.
- My Contacts Except: Block specific contacts from seeing your status.
- Only Share With: Set a custom allowance list so only certain people can view your status.
Make use of these settings to hide your status from coworkers, bosses, in-laws or anyone else you don’t want snooping on your profile. Your statuses will still show for your approved list of contacts.
View Once Feature
Want an extra layer of privacy for your status updates? WhatsApp now offers the “View Once” mode.
When posting a new status update, tap on the “View Once” option. This will make your status disappear immediately after your contacts view it for the first time. It won’t stick around for 24 hours.
The “View Once” mode is perfect for sharing really private or sensitive statuses that you don’t want sitting on WhatsApp’s servers for a whole day before they disappear.
Conclusion
We’ve covered everything a WhatsApp beginner needs to know about statuses. To recap:
- Statuses let you share photos, videos and GIFs that expire after 24 hours.
- View your contacts’ statuses in the Status tab.
- Post your own status updates using the camera icon.
- Be creative and express yourself through unique status posts.
- Adjust your privacy settings to control who can see your statuses.
Now you have all the tools to become a WhatsApp status expert! Have fun sharing your life moments with your closest contacts.