WhatsApp status is a popular feature that allows users to share photos, videos and GIFs that disappear after 24 hours. While many users enjoy sharing status updates, others may prefer to disable this feature entirely without rooting their device.
Why Would You Want to Disable WhatsApp Status?
There are a few key reasons why someone may want to disable WhatsApp status:
- Privacy – To stop others from seeing your status updates and online activity
- Reduce distractions – The constant stream of status updates can be distracting
- Save storage space – Status updates take up storage space on your phone
- Save battery life – Viewing status uses more battery than regular chat
- Avoid unwanted attention – Some users want to avoid getting unnecessary messages about their status
Disabling status updates entirely removes the feature from the app, preventing you from viewing others’ statuses as well. For those looking to disable this feature without root access, there are a couple straightforward options.
Disable WhatsApp Status Using App Settings
The easiest way to disable WhatsApp status is directly through the app’s settings:
- Open WhatsApp and tap the three dot menu in the top right
- Go to Settings > Account > Privacy
- Tap on ‘Status’ and select ‘Nobody’
This will disable your status entirely, preventing anyone from seeing your updates. It will also stop you from seeing other people’s statuses. This is the simplest option that doesn’t require any extra apps or changes to your phone.
Restrict Access Through Individual Chats
Another option is to disable your status on a chat-by-chat basis. This allows you to still use statuses with some contacts while restricting it from others:
- Open the WhatsApp chat with a contact
- Tap their name at the top to open contact info
- Tap ‘Media visibility’
- Toggle off ‘Status’ to disable it for that chat
Repeat this for each contact you want to restrict status access for. This granular approach lets you customize who can and can’t view your status updates.
Use a Third-Party App to Hide Status
If you want a bit more control, there are also third-party apps that can hide your WhatsApp status entirely:
- Flychat – This app lets you blacklist contacts so they can’t see your status updates.
- Hide My Status – Fully hides your status from everyone while still letting you see others’ updates.
- Status Saver – Saves others’ status updates privately so you can view them anonymously.
These provide more options like blacklisting specific contacts. However, they require downloading another app rather than using WhatsApp’s built-in settings.
Use WhatsApp Mods Like GBWhatsApp
You can also use WhatsApp mods to access more status customization features. These are modified versions of WhatsApp with extra options added:
- GBWhatsApp – Lets you hide your status entirely or on a per-contact basis.
- YoWhatsApp – Option to make your status invisible to select contacts.
- WhatsApp Plus – Hide your status and profile picture from chosen contacts.
WhatsApp mods like these do enable more status control but are not officially supported by WhatsApp. Use at your own risk.
Temporarily Disable Status with Airplane Mode
If you only need to temporarily hide your status, you can also use Airplane mode:
- Enable Airplane mode on your phone
- Open WhatsApp – Your status will show as disconnected
- Disable Airplane mode when finished to reconnect
This quickly hides your status for short periods. It also prevents your phone from receiving any messages or calls while enabled.
Conclusion
Disabling your WhatsApp status is easy to do right from the app’s settings. You can restrict it from specific chats or hide it entirely without needing root access. Third party apps provide additional options as well for those who want more control. With these methods, you can easily disable status and enjoy WhatsApp without unwanted attention on your activity.
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| App Settings |
|
|
| Individual Chats |
|
|
| Third-party Apps |
|
|
| Airplane Mode |
|
|
In summary, WhatsApp offers built-in settings to restrict or fully hide your status without root access required. You can also use third-party apps or mods if you need more advanced controls. Consider which contacts you want to limit status access for, and use the method that works best for your needs.