By default, your WhatsApp status (both photo and video) is visible to all your contacts. However, you can change your privacy settings to control who can view your status updates.
Default WhatsApp Status Privacy
When you first set up WhatsApp, the default setting makes your status updates visible to all your contacts who have your phone number saved in their address book. So anyone you have exchanged numbers with can see your status photo or video when you post one.
This default public setting is useful if you want to share status updates with all your WhatsApp connections. However, you may want to restrict status viewing to only certain contacts for privacy reasons.
Changing WhatsApp Status Privacy
WhatsApp gives you control over your status privacy. You can change the default public viewing to these other status privacy options:
- My Contacts – Your status is visible only to your contacts from your address book.
- My Contacts Except – You can exclude specific contacts from seeing your status.
- Only Share with – You can select particular contacts who can view your status.
Here are the steps to change your WhatsApp status privacy on Android and iOS devices:
Android
- Open WhatsApp and tap the 3-dot menu icon in the top right.
- Go to Settings > Account > Privacy.
- Tap Status > Change status privacy.
- Select one of the status privacy options – My Contacts, My Contacts Except, or Only Share With.
iOS
- Open WhatsApp and swipe right to access Settings.
- Tap Account > Privacy > Status.
- Choose one of the status privacy options – My Contacts, My Contacts Except, or Only Share With.
That’s it! Your status updates will now only be visible to contacts according to your new privacy setting.
Who Can See My WhatsApp Status?
Here’s a detailed look at who can view your WhatsApp status for each privacy setting:
My Contacts
This option makes your status visible only to contacts from your phone’s address book who have your number saved. So anyone in your contacts who has your phone number can see your status updates.
Your status will NOT be visible to:
- Non-contacts who have your number saved
- WhatsApp contacts who don’t have your number saved in their phone’s address book
My Contacts Except
This setting allows you to exclude specific contacts from viewing your status. All your contacts can see your status except those you exclude.
To exclude contacts:
- Tap My Contacts Except under the Status Privacy settings.
- Tap on the contacts you want to exclude.
- Tap Done to save your exclusions.
Your status will be visible to all your contacts except those you exclude. Excellent for blocking specific people from seeing your status.
Only Share With
This is the most restrictive privacy setting. Your status will be visible ONLY to contacts you specifically select under this option.
To select contacts who can view your status:
- Tap Only Share With under the Status Privacy settings.
- Tap on the contacts you want to view your status.
- Tap Done to save your selections.
Great for sharing status updates with only your closest contacts. Everyone else will not be able to see your status.
Customizing Status Privacy
WhatsApp offers great flexibility in customizing your status privacy:
- You can create groups under Only Share With or My Contacts Except to easily manage visibility.
- Change your status privacy at any time depending on your preferences.
- Set different status privacy for images, videos, and text status updates.
- Your customized status privacy resets after 24 hours. You have to set it again if you want the same restrictions.
Some tips on using status privacy options:
- My Contacts is the easiest and gives you decent privacy without too much effort.
- My Contacts Except is good for blocking a few specific people like coworkers, acquaintances etc.
- Only Share With requires more effort but gives you the most control over who sees your status.
Status Privacy vs Last Seen/Online
Status privacy controls only who can view your WhatsApp status updates. It does not affect the visibility of your last seen or online status in chatlists.
You have to change Last Seen and Online privacy settings separately under the Privacy menu. So your contacts may be able to see when you were last online even if they can’t view your status update.
Status Privacy on WhatsApp Web/Desktop
Your customized status privacy also applies to WhatsApp Web and Desktop. Contacts who can’t view your status on mobile also won’t be able to see it on the Web or Desktop version.
However, anyone who can already view your status on mobile can also see it on Web/Desktop. Status privacy works across WhatsApp platforms.
Troubleshooting Status Privacy
Here are some common issues with status privacy and how to resolve them:
- Can’t see someone’s status updates – They may have restricted visibility or blocked you. You can’t override their privacy settings.
- Contacts not following privacy settings – Ensure they have your number saved properly. Recheck and update your privacy settings.
- Status visible to excluded contacts – Privacy resets after 24 hours. Make sure to set it again to desired restrictions.
- Can’t see new privacy options – Update to the latest WhatsApp version. Older versions may not have newer privacy settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hide my WhatsApp status completely?
There is no direct way to fully hide your status from everyone on WhatsApp. Even with Only Share With, your status is still visible in group conversations.
The only way is to not update your status at all. Or you can temporarily deactivate your WhatsApp account to remove your status.
Can I see who viewed my WhatsApp status?
Unfortunately, WhatsApp does not show you who has viewed your status for privacy reasons. You can only see total view counts for your status.
Apps like WAViewer claim to show status viewers, but it is against WhatsApp’s policies and can get your account banned.
Do deleted contacts still see my status?
No, deleted contacts are automatically removed from your status allowed list. They will no longer be able to view your current or future status updates.
Can I prevent screenshots of my status?
There is no direct way to block screenshots of your WhatsApp status. Even with privacy settings, your contacts can screenshot your status if they can view it.
Be mindful of what you share if you don’t want others taking screenshots.