How can I copy WhatsApp status pictures?

WhatsApp status pictures allow you to share photos, videos, and GIFs that disappear after 24 hours. You may want to save or copy someone else’s status picture for various reasons – to view it after 24 hours, share it with a friend who doesn’t use WhatsApp, or simply because you like the picture and want to save it. While WhatsApp doesn’t make it easy to download status pictures directly, there are a few workarounds you can use to copy and save WhatsApp status photos, videos, and GIFs on both iPhone and Android devices.

Why Copy WhatsApp Status Pictures?

Here are some common reasons you may want to copy a WhatsApp status picture:

• To view it later after the 24-hour expiration
• To share it with someone who doesn’t use WhatsApp
• To repost or forward it in WhatsApp after it disappears
• To save a funny video or GIF to your camera roll
• To save a photo you want to keep because you like it

Without copying and saving, there is no way to view WhatsApp status pictures after their 24-hour expiry. Copying allows you to view and share them as many times as you want.

Methods to Copy WhatsApp Status on iPhone

There are a couple ways to copy and save someone’s WhatsApp status picture on an iPhone:

Using Third-Party Apps

A few third-party apps available on the iOS App Store allow you to download and save WhatsApp statuses:

• Status Saver: This app lets you copy both videos and photos from WhatsApp status. Simply provide access to your WhatsApp photos and videos when prompted after installing the app.
• Status Downloader for WhatsApp: Another good option for downloading statuses. Provide access to WhatsApp when opening the app and you can then view and save statuses.
• Story Saver for Instagram: While designed for Instagram, this app can also save WhatsApp statuses. Enable access and you can then download statuses to your camera roll.

These third-party apps provide the easiest way to copy WhatsApp status photos, videos, and GIFs on an iPhone.

Using the Screenshot Method

You can also use your iPhone’s built-in screenshot feature:

1. Open WhatsApp and tap on the contact whose status you want to copy.
2. Tap on the status picture/video to view it full screen.
3. To copy a photo status, simply take a screenshot by pressing the Side button + Volume Up button at the same time. The screenshot will save to your Photos app.
4. To copy a video status, take a screenshot of the first frame, then screen record the video to get the full clip in your Photos app.

While more cumbersome than a third-party app, the screenshot method works if you just have one status to quickly copy.

Methods to Copy WhatsApp Status on Android

Android also offers a couple options for copying WhatsApp status photos and videos:

Using Third-Party Apps

As with iPhone, the most straightforward way is using a status saver app:

• WA Status Saver: Download this free app from Google Play Store. Open it and enable access to your WhatsApp app to view and save statuses.
• Status Saver for WhatsApp: Works similarly, just enable WhatsApp access after installing and you can download statuses.
• Story Saver for Instagram: Also works for saving WhatsApp statuses on Android devices.

These apps provide a quick and easy way to copy almost any WhatsApp status.

Using ADB Commands

For advanced Android users, you can copy WhatsApp statuses using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) commands:

1. On your computer, download ADB tools and drivers if you don’t already have them.
2. Enable USB debugging in your Android device’s Developer Options.
3. Connect your phone to your computer using a USB cable.
4. Open command prompt/terminal and enter:
   adb devices
   to confirm your device is connected.
5. Enter the command adb shell to access your device’s shell.
6. Type dumpsys window | grep -E 'mCurrentFocus' and note the package name next to WhatsApp.
7. Enter: adb shell am start -n com.whatsapp/.Main replacing “com.whatsapp” with the package name.
8. This will launch the WhatsApp app, from which you can open the status you want to copy. The status will now be stored at /sdcard/WhatsApp/Media/.statuses.
9. Finally, enter: adb pull /sdcard/WhatsApp/Media/.statuses/ to copy the status to your computer.

This method is more complex but works for advanced users comfortable with ADB.

Other WhatsApp Status Tips

Beyond just copying statuses, here are some other useful tips for dealing with WhatsApp statuses:

• View statuses anonymously by disabling read receipts in WhatsApp’s privacy settings.
• Unmute a contact’s updates in your WhatsApp notifications settings if you still want to see their texts but not statuses.
• Long-press on a status to quickly mute that person’s status updates.
• WhatsApp recently increased status length from 30 secs to 90 secs for videos.
• You can react to statuses by long-pressing on them and selecting an emoji (just like reacting to messages).

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about copying WhatsApp status pictures:

Does copying a WhatsApp status notify the person who posted it?

No, copying or saving a WhatsApp status does not trigger any notification for the original poster. It will not show up as a “screenshot” for them.

Is it illegal to copy someone’s WhatsApp status without their permission?

Generally no, since they chose to broadcast the status publicly to all their WhatsApp contacts. However, it could potentially be illegal if the status content is copyrighted material.

Can I copy statuses posted further back than 24 hours ago?

No, unfortunately once a WhatsApp status expires after 24 hours, there is no way to retrieve or copy it through official channels. You can only copy statuses within the 24-hour period after they are posted.

Why can’t I just download WhatsApp statuses directly from the app?

WhatsApp intentionally limits downloading statuses to encourage ephemeral sharing. Allowing downloads would negate the 24-hour expiration. While inconvenient, it forces creativity in saving important statuses.

Is there a way to batch download multiple WhatsApp statuses at once?

Third-party apps unfortunately only allow saving one status at a time. Some ADB methods can batch download, but overall there is no straightforward way to batch save multiple statuses.

Conclusion

While WhatsApp makes it challenging, there are still several effective methods to copy and save statuses on both iPhone and Android. Third-party apps provide the simplest approach in most cases, while Android power users can opt for more complex ADB commands.

Remember to only copy statuses for personal use and be thoughtful about further sharing other people’s statuses. Enjoy the ability to recapture funny moments and memes that would otherwise disappear forever after 24 hours!