WhatsApp statuses – also known as WhatsApp Status – have been with us for a little over a year and can be confusing for some people. Today we will see what the WhatsApp statuses are, their functions, and everything you can do with them.
We will start by explaining what these WhatsApp statuses consist of as well as who can and who cannot see what you post or what status best for WhatsApp are? Then we will go into detail in all the editing tools available to create your own statuses in WhatsApp.
What are WhatsApp statuses?
Let’s start at the beginning, what are WhatsApp statuses? If you already know Instagram Stories, Snapchat Stories, Facebook Stories, or Messenger Day congratulations, because it is basically the same, but on WhatsApp.
If you don’t know what any of the above is, it is a “new” format for sharing content on the Internet that focuses on creativity and expiration. In plain words, they are images or videos that are shared and viewed as a slide view, usually with decorative elements or strokes on top to make them more attractive and enjoyable.
WhatsApp statuses are visible for 24 hours and then disappear. Of course, the photos you take are stored on your mobile, and nothing prevents those who see it from taking a screenshot.
Successively posted statuses are grouped and displayed one after the other. The progress bar at the top (the arrow in the image above) indicates how many statuses this person has posted and automatically progresses by changing the slide. If you need more time to view one of the photos, playback stops when you touch and hold your finger on the screen. You can also switch to the previous image by tapping on the left side of the screen or go to the next one by tapping on the right side of the screen.
Who can see the statuses?
WhatsApp statuses can be viewed from both the mobile version of WhatsApp and the web and PC version, although they can only be created from the mobile. They are normally visible to those people you have in your WhatsApp contact list, but they can be changed.
If you want to review or change who can see your statuses, tap on the WhatsApp Status tab and then on the menu button (the three dots vertically). Finally, click on the menu option Status Privacy.
You have three options to choose from, although remember that these changes will apply only to the new statuses that you share on WhatsApp and not to the previous ones, which will continue to be governed by the privacy options at the time of publication.
My contacts: your publications will be visible to the people you have in your WhatsApp contact list.
My contacts, except: by tapping on this option you can choose contacts from your list. The people you select will not be able to see your updates on this. The rest of the people on your contact list, yes.
Only share with: by tapping on this option you can select contacts from your list. Only these people will be able to see your updates and no one else.
Interact with states
You have two ways to interact with WhatsApp statuses. If they are from other people and not yours, you can answer them. Responding to a status sends a regular chat message that includes a thumbnail of the post you are replying to.
You cannot reply to statuses shared by yourself -obviously- but you can forward them instead. To do this, first tap on the eye icon to show the list of people who have seen the status and then tap on the arrow button. This will open the contact picker, where you can choose who you want to send it to. It will be sent as a photo.
How to create a WhatsApp status
To create your own status in WhatsApp you have several alternatives. For example, the camera tab will allow you to take a photo, edit it, and post it as status, but it requires an additional step. The easiest thing is to go to the States tab and use the floating camera button. This will automatically open the camera.
The WhatsApp camera allows you to record video or take a photo with the rear or front camera and it even has support to use the flash. Take the photo by simply tapping the shutter button (the circle) or record a video by keeping the button pressed.
If you do not want to take a photo but create a status from a photo or video that you already have on your mobile, you will find them at the bottom of the window (with the mobile vertically, because with the mobile horizontally they are not shown).
Text states
In WhatsApp, you can also create text states that are not based on a photo taken with the camera or from your gallery. To create a state of this type you must follow the same process, but instead of pressing the camera button you must press the pencil icon.
The text states of WhatsApp are somewhat simpler than those of other applications, but they are very easy to use and have a few options so that you can customize their appearance to your liking.
Emojis: tap on this tool to open the WhatsApp emoji selector and include emojis in your text.
Fonts: tap here to switch between the five available fonts.