Doing everything like Snapchat is so 2016. Or at least it used to be. WhatsApp is bringing back its old status updates while keeping the new status updates as well.
Back in February, WhatsApp replaced the old status updates with its Snapchat like variant. Last week however, the latest version of WhatsApp beta featured the same old status updates alongside the new ones.
The company is set to rollout the old/new feature within the next week with iPhone getting the updates sometime later. To view or change your status in WhatsApp, go to options and open the About section of your profile.
You can view the status of your contacts by starting a message thread with them and opening their contact or by going into the group info.
The company mentioned in a statement,
We heard from our users that people missed the ability to set a persistent text-only update in their profile, so we’ve integrated this feature into the ‘About’ section in profile settings. Now, the update will appear next to profile names anytime you view contacts, such as when creating a new chat or looking at Group info. At the same time, we’re continuing to build on the new Status feature that gives people fun and engaging ways to share photos, videos and GIFs with their friends and family throughout their day.
The old status feature served a more utility based function while the new one was more of a “for fun” update. With the upcoming change however both type of users will be able to use the service as they like it.
You can try the new feature before everyone else by downloading the WhatsApp Beta APK. Be warned that the beta version of any app is likely to contain bugs.
