WhatsApp status allows users to share text, photo, video and GIF updates that disappear after 24 hours. When you post a status, the media gets uploaded to WhatsApp’s servers while a copy also gets saved to your phone’s internal storage. So where exactly are WhatsApp status files stored locally on your device? Let’s take a closer look.
WhatsApp Status Media Folder Location
The folder where your WhatsApp status files are saved depends on whether you’re using an Android phone or an iPhone. Here are the locations:
On Android
On Android phones, WhatsApp status files are saved in the WhatsApp/Media/.Statuses folder. So the full path is:
Internal Storage/WhatsApp/Media/.Statuses
This folder contains the photos, videos and GIFs that you post as your status updates.
On iPhone
For iPhones, the WhatsApp status media folder is located at:
Internal Storage/WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Statuses
This folder contains all your saved status files.
So in summary, on Android it’s WhatsApp/Media/.Statuses and on iPhone it’s WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Statuses.
Viewing Your Saved WhatsApp Statuses
Now that you know where your WhatsApp statuses are stored, here is how you can view them:
On Android
On Android, you can view your saved WhatsApp statuses by following these steps:
1. Launch the Files app on your phone.
2. Navigate to Internal Storage > WhatsApp > Media > .Statuses.
3. This folder contains all your saved status photos, videos and GIFs.
4. Tap on any file to view it in full size.
On iPhone
To see your WhatsApp statuses on an iPhone:
1. Go into the WhatsApp app.
2. Tap on your profile picture in the top left.
3. Go into the Settings section.
4. Tap on Storage and Data > Manage Storage.
5. In the Media Management screen, tap on WhatsApp Statuses.
6. This will display thumbnails of all your saved statuses.
7. Tap on any status to view it.
So it just takes a few taps to access and view your stored WhatsApp status files.
Deleting Old WhatsApp Statuses
Since your WhatsApp statuses get saved by default, your status media folder can get cluttered over time. Here is how to delete old WhatsApp statuses:
On Android
On Android, delete old WhatsApp statuses by:
1. Going into the WhatsApp/Media/.Statuses folder.
2. Long press on the status you want to delete.
3. Tap Delete.
4. Confirm the deletion.
This will permanently remove the status from your phone’s storage.
On iPhone
To remove old WhatsApp statuses on iPhone:
1. Open the Manage Storage page for WhatsApp.
2. Tap on WhatsApp Statuses.
3. Tap Select in the top right corner.
4. Tap on the statuses you want to delete.
5. Tap on the trash icon to delete the selected statuses.
These steps will help free up storage space by removing unwanted status files.
Backing Up Your WhatsApp Statuses
To make sure you have copies of your important status updates, you can back them up:
On Android
– Copy the WhatsApp/Media/.Statuses folder to a computer or cloud storage using your phone’s file manager app.
On iPhone
– Use the Export Chat feature in WhatsApp to back up statuses to iCloud Drive or a third-party cloud storage service.
– You can also use third-party apps like iMazing to extract and save your statuses.
Backing up your statuses allows you to restore them if you ever switch phones or reinstall WhatsApp.
More About WhatsApp Statuses
Now you know where to find your WhatsApp status files and how to manage them. Here are some additional details about WhatsApp statuses:
– Status updates have a maximum size of 30 seconds for videos and 10 seconds for GIFs.
– Your contacts will be able to see when you’ve posted a status update.
– You can choose to mute statuses from specific contacts.
– If you delete a status before the 24 hour expiry, it will be removed for your contacts as well.
– Status views are end-to-end encrypted like WhatsApp messages.
– You can post multiple status updates by swiping up after posting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about WhatsApp status files:
Why are my WhatsApp statuses getting saved automatically?
WhatsApp is designed to save a copy of your statuses by default so that you always have access to them. You can choose not to save statuses by adjusting your settings.
Can I save others’ statuses to my phone?
No, you can only save the statuses posted by yourself. For privacy reasons, you can’t download or save statuses posted by your WhatsApp contacts.
Do the saved media files count against my phone’s storage?
Yes, your WhatsApp status files are saved in your phone’s internal storage. Large or old media files can eventually eat up your phone’s storage capacity.
Can I find someone’s saved statuses on their phone?
If you have physical access to someone’s phone, you can locate their WhatsApp status folder and view saved statuses. However, you need to unlock their phone first.
Is there a limit to how many statuses I can save?
There is no fixed limit to how many status files WhatsApp will store. However, your phone’s storage capacity does impose a practical limit. With many large videos, you may run out of free space.
Conclusion
In summary:
– WhatsApp status media gets saved in the .Statuses folder in internal storage on Android and the WhatsApp Statuses folder on iPhone.
– You can easily view, manage and back up your saved statuses.
– Don’t forget to occasionally clear out old status files to free up space.
– Status privacy works the same as WhatsApp messaging privacy.
Keeping your WhatsApp content organized can enhance your experience with the hugely popular messaging app. Follow the tips outlined in this guide to get the most out of WhatsApp statuses!
| Platform | Status File Location |
|---|---|
| Android | Internal Storage/WhatsApp/Media/.Statuses |
| iPhone | Internal Storage/WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Statuses |