By default, your WhatsApp status updates are visible to all of your WhatsApp contacts. However, you can control who gets to view your status updates in your privacy settings.
Understanding WhatsApp Status
The WhatsApp status feature allows users to share text, photos, videos and GIFs that disappear after 24 hours. It’s similar to the stories feature on other social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat.
When you post a status update, it appears in a bar at the top of the chat screen in the WhatsApp apps of those who can view it. Your contacts can view your status updates by tapping on your profile picture or status icon.
Status Settings
You can find the settings controlling who can see your status updates in WhatsApp by going to Settings > Account > Privacy.
There are three options for status privacy:
- My Contacts – Your status updates will be visible to all of your contacts.
- My Contacts Except… – Your status updates will be visible to all contacts except those you exclude.
- Only Share With… – Your status updates will only be visible to contacts you specifically select.
Changing Status Privacy
By default, WhatsApp will share your status updates with all of your contacts. Here’s how to change your status privacy settings:
- Open WhatsApp and tap the More options icon (3 dots on Android, settings cog on iPhone).
- Go to Settings > Account > Privacy.
- Tap Status.
- Select who you want to share your status with from the three options.
If you choose “My Contacts Except…” or “Only Share With…”, you can then tap to check or uncheck specific contacts to include or exclude them.
Disappearing Status Updates
Regardless of your privacy settings, your WhatsApp status updates will disappear after 24 hours. Viewers cannot save, copy, forward or pin your status updates.
This ephemeral nature makes WhatsApp status ideal for sharing everyday moments you don’t necessarily want permanently tied to your profile.
Status Privacy vs Last Seen
Status privacy settings are separate from the “last seen” privacy settings in WhatsApp.
Your last seen shows when you were last active on WhatsApp. You can control who can see your last seen time in Settings > Account > Privacy > Last Seen.
So you could have your status set to be visible to all contacts, but restrict your last seen to be visible to only your contacts, some contacts, or no one.
Customizing Status Updates
In addition to controlling who can view your status, you can also customize the look and feel of your status updates.
Adding Text
To add text to your status, simply tap the text field at the top of the status screen and type your message. You can include emojis and change the font color.
Posting Photos and Videos
Tap the camera icon in the status bar to take a new photo or video for your status update. You can also select existing photos and videos from your camera roll.
Using Stickers and GIFs
WhatsApp has an extensive collection of stickers and GIFs you can add to your status updates to make them more visually expressive.
Tap the sticker icon next to the text field to browse stickers. Tap GIF to search for animated GIFs to use.
Drawing and Annotations
You can get creative with the drawing and annotation tools in status. Doodle on your photos or add emoji, text and stickers.
After creating a photo or video status update, tap the pen icon to access the drawing toolbar.
Background Color
If you add text to a photo, you can change the background color for a cool two-tone effect. Tap the colored circles at the bottom of the text editor to change the background color.
Text Font
Adjust the style and size of text in your status updates by tapping the Aa icon next to the text field. You’ll see options to change the font, size, style and alignment.
Viewing Status Updates
While your contacts control who can view their own status updates, you also have options for viewing the status updates of others.
Muting Statuses
If you no longer wish to view someone’s status updates, you can mute them. This will hide their status updates from the status bar, but keep them in your contacts.
To mute a contact’s status updates, go to their chat window in WhatsApp and tap More > Mute > Mute Status.
Disabling Read Receipts
By default, when you view someone’s status update, they can see that you’ve viewed it through the read receipt. To view status updates privately:
- Go to WhatsApp Settings.
- Tap Account > Privacy.
- Turn off Read Receipts.
This will disable read receipts across WhatsApp, so others won’t know when you’ve read their messages either.
Status Character Limit
You’re limited to a maximum of 139 characters for text-only status updates. For status updates containing media like photos, videos or GIFs, your text limit increases to 256 characters.
These limits include all text, emoji and special characters.
Deleting Status Updates
There are a couple ways to delete status updates:
- Swipe left or right on your own status update in the status bar to reveal a delete icon.
- Long press a status update to open it, then tap Delete in the bottom menu.
Remember that your status updates automatically disappear after 24 hours. Deleting them manually just removes them sooner.
Status Updates Seen Indicator
When you post a status update, you’ll see an indicator showing the number of contacts who’ve viewed your status. Tap this number to see a list of names.
Keep in mind that contacts who have disabled read receipts won’t be included in this list.
Location Data in Status
If Location is enabled for WhatsApp in your device settings, your status updates can include location data showing your current city and country.
This happens automatically when creating status updates. You can toggle location on or off before posting a status through the Add Location link.
Status Length Limit
Video status updates are limited to 30 seconds. There are no limits on the length of photo and text status updates.
However, shorter status updates tend to be more effective since they only remain visible for 24 hours.
Data Usage for Status
Status updates can use mobile data, so keep an eye on usage if you have a limited data plan. Video status in particular uses more data than text, photos or GIFs.
You can disable auto-downloading of status updates in WhatsApp Settings > Data and Storage Usage to help conserve data.
Status Privacy Concerns
While WhatsApp status updates are encrypted end-to-end by default like WhatsApp chats, always be thoughtful about sharing personal or sensitive information.
Even though your status updates disappear after 24 hours, screenshots could potentially be taken or photos could be copied by viewers.
Troubleshooting Status Issues
Here are some troubleshooting tips if you’re having issues with WhatsApp status:
- If status isn’t working, first make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp installed.
- Check your internet connection and try toggling airplane mode on and off.
- Force close and restart the WhatsApp app if status still isn’t loading.
- Clear cache and data for the WhatsApp app through your device settings.
- Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp if other troubleshooting steps don’t resolve the issue.
Sharing Status Updates
Unlike standard posts on social media, there is no way for other users to directly share your status updates on WhatsApp.
However, viewers can certainly save your status photo or video via screenshot and then share it through other apps.
Status Updates vs Profile Photo
Your profile photo and status update serve different purposes on WhatsApp:
- Profile Photo – Your profile photo appears in all of your individual and group chats and identifies your account.
- Status Update – Status updates appear at the top of the chat list and let you share ephemeral photos, videos, text and GIFs.
You can customize both your profile photo and status updates, but status is meant for short-lived sharing while your profile photo persistently represents your account.