Why Can’t I See Someone’s WhatsApp Status? 8 Reasons and Fixes

You know a friend posts updates, but nothing appears in your Updates tab. Before assuming you’ve been blocked, check these common causes - most have a simple fix.

1. They haven’t saved your number

This is the most common reason. WhatsApp only shows statuses between people who both have each other’s numbers saved in their phone contacts. If they chat with you but never saved your number, you won’t see their updates.

Fix: ask them to save your number as a contact.

2. You haven’t saved their number

The same rule applies the other way. A chat with someone doesn’t mean they’re in your contacts.

Fix: save their number in your phone’s contacts app, then open WhatsApp and refresh the contact list (start a new chat and pull down to refresh).

3. They excluded you from their status

With My contacts except… a person can hide their updates from specific contacts. With Only share with… they choose a small list. You aren’t notified either way. See how these options work in our status privacy guide.

Fix: none on your side - it’s their choice.

4. You muted them

Muted statuses don’t disappear; they move to the Muted section at the bottom of the Updates tab, where they’re easy to miss.

Fix: scroll down, press and hold their name and choose Unmute.

5. The status has expired

Statuses last 24 hours. If they posted yesterday morning, it’s already gone.

6. They changed their privacy setting after posting - or before

Privacy changes only affect new updates. If they shared something while you were excluded, you won’t see that update even if they later include you.

7. Blocking

If either of you has blocked the other, statuses aren’t shown. Being blocked usually also means you can’t see their profile photo or “last seen” - but those can be hidden by privacy settings too, so this isn’t proof on its own.

8. Connection or app problems

• Check your internet connection and pull down on the Updates tab to refresh.
• Update WhatsApp from Google Play or the App Store.
• Make sure your phone’s date and time are set automatically.

Still not working?

If none of the above applies, ask your contact to post a test status shared only with you. If you can see that, the issue is their privacy list, not your phone.

Once you can see a status, here’s how to save it.