You can change your status in WhatsApp in two main ways: updating your permanent About status (a short text message on your profile) or creating ephemeral Status updates (photos, videos, or text that disappear after 24 hours).
Changing Your "About" Status (Text-based Info)
Your "About" status is a small, static text message visible on your profile and next to your name in group chats and contact lists. It's a quick way to let contacts know what you're up to or how you're feeling without it being a temporary update.
Step-by-Step Guide to Update Your "About" Status
To change this text-based status:
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your smartphone.
- Go to Settings:
- Android: Tap the three vertical dots (More options) in the top right corner, then select Settings.
- iPhone: Tap Settings icon in the bottom right corner.
- Access Your Profile: Tap on your profile picture or name at the top of the Settings screen. This will take you to your Profile screen.
- Edit "About": Look for the "About" section. Next to your current About status, you'll see a pencil icon. Tap on this icon.
- Type Your New Status: You can either choose from a list of predefined statuses (like "Available," "Busy," "At school," etc.) or tap the pencil icon again at the top of the "About" screen to type in a custom message. Just type anything you want your new status to be.
- Save Changes: Your new "About" status will be automatically saved once you finish typing or select a predefined option.
Example "About" Statuses:
- "Currently exploring new horizons 🚀"
- "Busy with work, back soon!"
- "Always learning and growing."
- "Offline for the weekend."
Table: Quick Steps for "About" Status
| Platform | Action 1 | Action 2 | Action 3 | Action 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Android | More options (⋮) > Settings | Tap your Profile | Tap pencil icon next to "About" | Type new status or select |
| iPhone | Settings | Tap your Profile | Tap About > pencil icon | Type new status or select |
For more details on your profile settings, you can refer to the WhatsApp Help Center.
Creating and Managing Your "Status Updates" (Photos, Videos, Text Stories)
WhatsApp Status updates are a way to share temporary photos, videos, or text with your contacts that disappear after 24 hours. These are similar to stories on other social media platforms.
How to Create a New Status Update
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the app.
- Go to the Status Tab: Tap on the Status tab. On Android, it's usually at the top; on iPhone, it's at the bottom.
- Start a New Status:
- Text Status: Tap the pencil icon (Android) or "Text" (iPhone) to type a text-based status, choose a background color, and even add emojis.
- Photo/Video Status: Tap the camera icon (Android) or "My Status" with a camera icon (iPhone) to open your camera. You can take a new photo/video or select one from your gallery.
- Edit Your Status (Optional): After capturing or selecting media, you can add captions, stickers, drawings, or crop the image/video.
- Send Your Status: Tap the green arrow icon (or send icon) to publish your status. It will be visible to your selected contacts for 24 hours.
Managing Status Privacy
You can control who sees your Status updates:
- Go to Status Tab: Tap the Status tab.
- Access Status Privacy:
- Android: Tap the three vertical dots (More options) > Status privacy.
- iPhone: Tap Privacy at the top left of the Status screen.
- Choose Your Audience:
- My contacts: All your contacts will see your status.
- My contacts except...: Select contacts to exclude from viewing your status.
- Only share with...: Only selected contacts will see your status.
- Save Changes: Tap Done (iPhone) or the checkmark (Android) to apply your privacy settings.
Viewing and Deleting Status Updates
- To View: Tap on a contact's profile picture under the "Status" tab to view their updates.
- To Delete Your Own: Go to the Status tab, tap "My status," then tap the three vertical dots next to the status you want to delete. Choose Delete.
For more comprehensive information on Status updates, including how to view, mute, and reply, visit the WhatsApp Status Help Center.
Why Change Your Status?
- Communicate Availability: Quickly inform contacts if you're busy, available, or away.
- Share Updates: Post temporary photos or videos about your day, mood, or activities.
- Express Yourself: Use text statuses to convey thoughts or quotes.
- Maintain Privacy: Adjust status privacy to control who sees your personal updates.
