WhatsApp Status Features You Might Have Missed
WhatsApp Status has quietly gained a lot of features - from voice updates and quick reactions to private mentions and longer videos. Here’s what’s available and how to use each one.
By AdminPublished 2 min read
WhatsApp Status started as a simple way to share a photo for 24 hours. Over the last few years WhatsApp has added a steady stream of features. Here are the ones worth knowing about.
WhatsApp rolls features out gradually, so some may not appear on your phone yet. Keeping the app updated from Google Play or the App Store is the best way to get them.
The Updates tab
Statuses now live in the Updates tab, together with Channels - one-way broadcasts from organisations, creators and public figures. Your contacts’ statuses are at the top; channels you follow are below.
Voice status
You can post a voice note as a status. In the Updates tab, tap the pencil (text status) icon, then press and hold the microphone to record. It’s a quick way to share news when typing isn’t convenient.
Quick reactions
Instead of typing a reply, swipe up on a status (or tap the reply area) to send one of the quick reaction emojis. The reaction arrives privately in your chat with that person.
Status likes
You can like a status by tapping the heart icon while viewing it. Likes are private - only the person who posted can see who liked it, in their viewer list.
Private mentions
When posting a status, you can mention specific contacts. They get a notification that they’ve been mentioned and can reshare your status to their own audience. Mentions are private: other viewers don’t see who was mentioned.
Longer video statuses
The maximum length for a single video status has increased over time, so you can share more of a clip without cutting it into many parts. WhatsApp still splits very long videos into several status updates.
Link previews
When you share a link in a text status, WhatsApp shows a visual preview of the page, making links far more likely to be tapped - handy for businesses sharing product pages.
Share to your other Meta apps
If you’ve linked WhatsApp to Accounts Center, you can choose to share your status to your Facebook or Instagram Stories at the same time.
Saving statuses still isn’t built in
Despite all these additions, WhatsApp still doesn’t include a download button for other people’s statuses. See our step-by-step guide on how to save a WhatsApp status, and keep your audience in check with the Status privacy settings.
