Using WhatsApp Status: share your moments with friends and family

WhatsApp Status is a handy feature that lets you share photos, videos and text with your contacts. These updates stay visible for 24 hours, similar to Stories on Instagram. In this article we explain step by step how to use WhatsApp Status to share your best moments.

What is WhatsApp Status?

WhatsApp Status is a feature that was added to the popular messaging app in 2017. With Status you can share photos, videos, text and GIFs that disappear automatically after 24 hours. Your contacts can view these updates by tapping the 'Status' tab in the WhatsApp app.

The advantage of Status over sending photos in a chat is that a single update reaches all your contacts at once. You don't have to send a photo to everyone separately. On top of that, the update disappears automatically, which is nice when you want to share something temporary.

Who can see your Status?

By default, all your WhatsApp contacts can view your Status. However, you can change this in the privacy settings. You can choose from:

  • My contacts: Everyone in your contact list can see your Status
  • My contacts except...: You can exclude specific contacts
  • Only share with...: You choose exactly who you share with

How to create a WhatsApp Status update

Creating a Status update is easy. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Status tab

Open WhatsApp on your phone. On Android you will find the 'Status' tab at the top of the screen next to 'Chats'. On iPhone it is at the bottom of the screen. Tap 'Status' to go to this section.

Step 2: Create a new Status

At the top you will now see 'My status', with a pencil icon (for text) and a camera icon (for photos and videos) below it. Tap the camera icon to take a photo or video or to choose one from your gallery.

Step 3: Edit your photo or video

After you have chosen a photo or video, you can edit it:

  • Add text: Tap the T icon to place text over your photo
  • Draw: Use the pencil icon to draw or highlight
  • Emojis: Add fun emojis or stickers
  • Crop: Adjust the size of your photo

Step 4: Share your Status

Happy with the result? Tap the send icon (the green arrow) to publish your Status. Your update is now visible to your contacts for 24 hours.

Creating a text Status without a photo

You can also create a Status with just text, without a photo or video:

  1. Go to the Status tab
  2. Tap the pencil icon
  3. Type your message
  4. Choose a background color by tapping the palette icon
  5. Select a font by tapping T
  6. Tap send

This is handy for sharing thoughts, quotes or simply a short message to your contacts.

Sharing multiple Status updates

You can share several photos or videos in a row. They are then shown as a series, similar to a slideshow. Your contacts can browse through your updates by tapping the screen.

To share multiple updates, simply repeat the steps for creating a Status. Each new update is automatically added to your existing Status.

Viewing other people's Status updates

To view your contacts' Status updates:

  1. Go to the Status tab
  2. Under 'Recent updates' you will see your contacts' Status updates
  3. Tap a name to view that Status
  4. Tap the screen to go to the next update

You can also reply to a Status by swiping up while you are viewing it. Your reply is then sent to that person as a private message.

Privacy settings for Status

It is important to check your privacy settings before you start sharing Status updates. Here is how to change them:

Changing privacy on Android

  1. Open WhatsApp and tap the three dots in the top right
  2. Go to 'Settings' > 'Privacy' > 'Status'
  3. Choose who is allowed to see your Status

Changing privacy on iPhone

  1. Open WhatsApp and tap 'Settings' in the bottom right
  2. Go to 'Privacy' > 'Status'
  3. Select your preferred setting

Tips for better Status updates

Want your Status updates to look professional? Here are a few tips:

Use good lighting

Make sure your photos are well lit. Natural light often gives the nicest result. Avoid photos with too much backlight or taken in a dark environment.

Keep videos short

WhatsApp Status videos can be up to 30 seconds long. Keep your videos short and to the point. Longer videos are trimmed automatically.

Be creative with text and stickers

Make your photos more interesting by adding text or stickers. But don't overdo it: less is often more.

Share at the right moment

Think about when your contacts are likely to be using WhatsApp. Status updates posted in the evening are often seen by more people.

Deleting Status updates

Did you accidentally share something you would rather not have shared? No worries, you can delete Status updates:

  1. Go to the Status tab
  2. Tap 'My status'
  3. Swipe left on the update you want to delete (iPhone) or press and hold the update (Android)
  4. Tap 'Delete'

The update is deleted right away and is no longer visible to your contacts.

Seeing who viewed your Status

Curious who has seen your Status? WhatsApp keeps track of this for you:

  1. Go to the Status tab
  2. Tap 'My status'
  3. Swipe up or tap the eye icon at the bottom
  4. You will now see a list of the names of people who have viewed your Status

Note: others can also see that you viewed their Status, unless you have turned off read receipts.

Frequently asked questions

How long does my WhatsApp Status stay visible?

Your WhatsApp Status stays visible for exactly 24 hours after you post it. After that, the update disappears automatically. If you want something to stay visible longer, you can share the same photo or video again or consider sending it as a message in a chat.

Can I save someone else's WhatsApp Status?

WhatsApp does not offer an official feature for saving other people's Status updates. This is deliberate, to protect privacy. If you want to keep a photo or video from someone's Status, ask that person whether they would like to send it to you directly.

Why can't I see a contact's Status?

There are several reasons why you might not be able to see someone's Status. The person may have adjusted their privacy settings so that you are excluded. It is also possible that you have not saved this contact in your phone's address book, or that the contact has blocked you. Check that the number is saved correctly in your contacts.

Does WhatsApp Status use a lot of data?

Viewing and sharing photos and videos through Status uses mobile data if you are not connected to Wi-Fi. Videos use more data than photos. If you want to save data, you can choose in the WhatsApp settings to download media automatically only over Wi-Fi. You will find this option under 'Settings' > 'Storage and data'.