Share Photos and Updates With WhatsApp Status
WhatsApp Status lets you share photos, videos, and text with your contacts that disappear after 24 hours — similar to stories on Facebook and Instagram.
3 min read · 5 steps · Checked April 2026
Step 1. Open the Updates tab in WhatsApp
Open WhatsApp. Tap the "Updates" tab at the bottom (on iPhone) or top (on Android). You'll see "Status" at the top of the screen with a "My Status" section and your contacts' statuses listed below.
Step 2. Add a photo or video Status
Tap the plus icon or the camera icon next to "My Status." This opens your phone's camera. Take a new photo or video, or tap the photo gallery icon to choose one from your library. Add a caption if you'd like, then tap Send (the green arrow).
Quick Tip
You can add text, stickers, or even draw on your photo before posting by using the editing tools that appear after you select your image.
Step 3. Add a text-only Status
Tap the pencil icon (text) instead of the camera. You'll see a colored background with a text field. Type your update. Tap the background icon to change the color or pattern behind your text. Tap Send when ready.
Step 4. View your contacts' Statuses
On the Updates tab, you'll see a list of contacts who have posted a Status in the last 24 hours. Tap any contact's name to watch their Status. Swipe left to go to the next status, or swipe right to replay the current one. You can react with an emoji by tapping the emoji icon, or reply privately in chat.
Step 5. Control who sees your Status
To manage your Status privacy, go to WhatsApp Settings (gear icon) > Privacy > Status. Choose "My Contacts," "My Contacts Except..." (to exclude specific people), or "Only Share With..." (to share with a limited group). Changes apply right away to all future statuses.
WhatsApp Status is a feature that lets you share photos, short videos, GIFs, or text updates with all your WhatsApp contacts at once — without sending individual messages to each person. Like Instagram and Facebook Stories, WhatsApp Status posts disappear after 24 hours.
Your contacts can see your Status by tapping the Updates tab in WhatsApp. They'll see a colored ring around your profile picture to let them know you have a new status. They can view it, react with an emoji, or reply directly to you in a private chat.
Status is a low-pressure way to share moments from your day. You can post a photo of your garden, a short video of a grandchild's performance, or just a text update like "Having a wonderful day in Florida!" — and anyone who has your number in their WhatsApp contacts can see it.
You can also control who sees your Status. Go to Settings > Privacy > Status and choose from: "My Contacts" (everyone with your number), "My Contacts Except..." (exclude certain people), or "Only Share With..." (only specific people you choose). This gives you full control over your audience.
Viewing your own posted Status and seeing who viewed it is also possible — tap your own Status ring and swipe up from the bottom to see who watched it. If you want to delete a Status before the 24 hours are up, tap and hold on it and choose "Delete."
Official sources
- Facebook Help Center — facebook.com
- Instagram Help — instagram.com
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