How to use WhatsApp Status to share photos and updates
Learn how to post a WhatsApp Status update with photos or text, view other people's statuses, and understand how long they last.
What you will learn
In this guide, you will learn how to use WhatsApp Status, a feature that lets you share photos, videos, or text updates with your contacts. These updates disappear after 24 hours, similar to stories on other apps. It is a simple way to share a moment with family and friends without sending individual messages.
What you need
- A phone with WhatsApp installed and set up
- A photo, video, or text you want to share (optional, you can create text statuses directly)
Step 1: Open the Status screen
Open WhatsApp on your phone. On iPhone, tap the Status tab at the bottom of the screen. On Android, tap the Status tab at the top of the screen. You will see your own status area at the top and your contacts’ recent statuses below.
Step 2: Create a photo or video status
Tap My Status (or the pencil icon with a camera on Android, or the camera icon on iPhone). Your camera will open. Take a photo or tap the gallery icon in the corner to choose an existing photo from your phone. You can add text on top of the photo by tapping the T icon.
Step 3: Create a text-only status
If you want to post a text message without a photo, tap the pencil icon (on Android) or the text icon (on iPhone, it looks like a pencil on a coloured background). Type your message. You can tap the colour palette icon to change the background colour.
Step 4: Post your status
When your photo or text is ready, tap the Send button (the green arrow icon) in the bottom right corner. Your status is now live and visible to your contacts for the next 24 hours.
Step 5: View other people’s statuses
On the Status screen, you will see a list of contacts who have posted recent statuses. Tap on a contact’s name to view their status. The status plays automatically. Tap the right side of the screen to skip to the next status, or tap the left side to go back.
Step 6: Control who sees your status
Open WhatsApp and go to Settings (the gear icon on iPhone, or the three dots menu on Android). Tap Privacy, then tap Status. You can choose between My contacts (everyone), My contacts except (exclude certain people), or Only share with (pick specific contacts).
Tips
- You can post multiple status updates at the same time and they will play one after another for viewers
- If you change your mind, you can delete a status before the 24 hours are up by going to My Status, tapping the three dots next to the update, and choosing Delete
- Status updates use your internet connection, not SMS, so they are free to post and view
- Posting a status does not send a notification to your contacts, they simply see it when they open the Status tab
Useful links
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a WhatsApp Status last?
Each status update disappears automatically after 24 hours. After that, no one can see it anymore. You do not need to delete it yourself.
Who can see my WhatsApp Status?
By default, all your WhatsApp contacts can see your status. You can change this in Status Privacy settings to share only with selected contacts or to exclude certain people.
Can I post a video as my status?
Yes. You can post a video of up to 30 seconds as a status update. When choosing a photo, select a video from your gallery instead.
Can I see who viewed my status?
Yes. Open your status and swipe up. You will see a list of contacts who have viewed it and the time they viewed it.
Can I save someone else's status?
WhatsApp does not have a built-in save button for other people's statuses. You can take a screenshot if you want to keep a photo status.
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