WhatsApp status is a feature that allows users to share photos, videos, and GIFs that disappear after 24 hours. The status updates are located at the top of your chat list and contact list in the WhatsApp app.
Finding WhatsApp Status
When you open the WhatsApp app, your status updates and your contacts’ status updates are displayed at the top of the Chats tab. This section at the top is called “Status.”
To view status updates, simply tap on any contact’s profile photo in the Status section. Their current status will open, and you can swipe to view previous status updates from that contact. Your own status is shown first in the list with “My Status” text below your profile photo.
Status Section
The Status section sits above your chat list and contact list on the Chats tab in WhatsApp. It shows the profile pictures of contacts who have recently shared a status update.
Tapping on a contact’s profile photo will allow you to view their status update. You can tap through to view previous status updates from that contact as well.
Your own status update always appears first in the list with “My Status” text below your profile photo. Tapping on your own profile photo allows you to view and edit your current status.
Viewing Status Updates
To view a status update from one of your WhatsApp contacts, simply tap on their profile picture in the Status section of the Chats tab. Their latest status will open.
To view previous status updates from that contact, swipe left or right on their current status. This will cycle through their older shared statuses in chronological order.
The statuses will play automatically as you swipe through them. You also have the option to tap to pause and resume playback.
My Status
Your own status update always appears first in the Status section with “My Status” text underneath your profile photo.
Tapping on your profile photo allows you to view, edit, or delete your current status. You can also create a new status update from here.
Swiping left or right on your own status will let you view your previous status updates.
Creating a Status
You can easily create new WhatsApp status updates right from the app. Here are the steps:
- Open WhatsApp and tap on the Chats tab if you aren’t already viewing it.
- Tap on your profile picture at the top of the screen in the Status section.
- Tap on the camera icon to take a photo or video for your new status.
- You can also tap the gallery icon to select existing photos/videos from your camera roll.
- Edit the status how you want, add text, emojis, drawings, etc.
- When finished, tap “Send” or “Send to My Status” to share it.
Your new status update will now display in the Status section for your contacts to view. It will disappear after 24 hours.
Photo Status
To create a photo status update:
- Tap the camera icon after opening your status.
- Take a new photo or tap the gallery icon to select an existing one.
- Edit with text, stickers, drawings, etc if desired.
- Tap “Send” or “Send to My Status” to post it.
Video Status
To create a video status update:
- Tap the camera icon after opening your status.
- Switch to video mode by swiping left on the camera options.
- Record a new video (up to 30 seconds) or select an existing one from your gallery.
- Edit the video if desired.
- Tap “Send” or “Send to My Status” to share it.
Text-only Status
You can also create text-only status updates:
- Open your status and tap the pencil icon.
- Type your text message.
- Tap “Send” or “Send to My Status” when finished.
Viewing Status Replies
If any of your contacts reply to your status updates, you can view those replies in WhatsApp:
- Open WhatsApp and view your own status.
- Tap on the number of views below your status.
- This will show a list of all contacts who have viewed your status.
- Any replies will show under the contact’s name – tap it to view their reply.
Replying to Statuses
When viewing someone else’s status, you have the option to reply:
- View the status you want to reply to.
- Tap and hold on the status to open reply options.
- Type your reply in the text field.
- Tap the send arrow to post your reply back to them.
Replies will be sent as a private message to the status creator. They can view replies by checking their own status.
Status Privacy Settings
You can control who can view your WhatsApp status updates:
- My Contacts – Only the contacts saved in your phone’s address book can see your status.
- My Contacts Except… – Choose specific contacts to exclude from viewing your status.
- Only Share With… – Select individual contacts who can view your status.
To change your status privacy:
- Go to WhatsApp Settings.
- Tap Account > Privacy.
- Tap Status.
- Select your desired privacy setting.
Deleting Status Updates
As you share new status updates, your old statuses will disappear after 24 hours. But you can also manually delete statuses:
Delete One Status
- View your own status and swipe to the one you want to delete.
- Tap and hold on the status.
- Tap “Delete” to remove it.
Delete All Statuses
- View your own status.
- Tap the 3-dot menu in the top right.
- Tap “Clear all statuses > Delete.”
All of your previously shared status updates will now be deleted.
Troubleshooting WhatsApp Status
Status Not Working
If statuses are not working properly, try the following:
- Force close and reopen WhatsApp.
- Check your internet connection.
- Update WhatsApp to the latest version.
- Restart your phone.
- Clear WhatsApp cache and data.
Can’t See Someone’s Status
If you can’t view someone’s status, possible reasons include:
- They blocked you.
- Your contact list is not updated.
- Restricted status privacy settings.
- Network connection issues.
Disappeared Statuses
Old statuses automatically disappear after 24 hours. They also disappear after being replaced by a new status update.
If statuses are disappearing sooner than expected, it could be caused by:
- Bug or glitch.
- Time/date misconfiguration.
- WhatsApp version issues after an update.
Updating WhatsApp, restarting your device, and checking system settings may help resolve unexpectedly disappearing statuses.