How to Show or Hide WhatsApp Status for Specific Contacts

By default, all your contacts who have added you as a contact can see your WhatsApp status. This guide explains how to show or hide your WhatsApp status for specific contacts.

Things to Note Before Proceeding:

• If you turn off the read receipts, you won’t know who sees your status.
• If a contact has turned off their read receipts, you won’t know if they’ve viewed your status.
• These steps apply only to new status updates.

I’ve used a Google Pixel 4a (Android 12) and an iPhone X for this guide. Let’s begin with the iPhone.

Hide or Show WhatsApp Status for Specific Contacts (iPhone)

Steps:

1. Open the WhatsApp Messenger app.
2. Go to the Status tab at the bottom and select Privacy in the top left.
3. On the Status Privacy screen, under the “Who Will See My Updates” section, you’ll see these options:
• My Contacts: All your contacts can see your status updates.
• My Contacts Except: All your contacts except the ones you choose can see your status.
• Only Share With: Only the contacts you choose can view your status.
4. Choose either of the last two options. For example, select Only Share With.
5. Select the contacts you prefer and hit Done in the top right.

That’s it!

Alternate Method:

1. Open the WhatsApp app.
2. Tap Settings at the bottom.
3. Navigate to Settings > Account > Privacy > Status.

Show or Hide WhatsApp Status for Specific Contacts (Android Phone)

Steps:

1. Open the WhatsApp app.
2. Go to the Status tab at the top and tap the three vertical dots in the top right.
3. Select Status Privacy.
4. On the Status Privacy screen, under “Who can see my status updates,” you’ll see these options:
• My Contacts: All your contacts can see your status updates.
• My Contacts Except: All your contacts except the ones you choose can see your status.
• Only Share With: Only the contacts you choose can view your status.
5. Choose either of the last two options. For instance, select Only Share With.
6. Select the contacts you prefer. To select all contacts, tap the icon at the top right. If all contacts are already selected, pressing this icon will deselect them.
7. Tap the Tick icon in the bottom right.
8. Press Done at the bottom.

That’s all!

Alternate Method:

1. Tap the three vertical dots at the top right of the WhatsApp app.
2. Navigate to Settings > Account > Privacy > Status.

This guide helps you manage your WhatsApp status privacy effectively.

Thanks for reading!