WhatsApp brings back old status function after criticism

WhatsApp has decided to bring back the old text-based status after criticism from users. Last month, WhatsApp replaced the way a status was displayed with photos that disappear after a day, a feature the chat app borrows from Snapchat.

The status shows, for example, what a user is doing and whether he is available. The textual status will appear in the Android version of WhatsApp next week; the feature’s return to iOS will follow later. It is unknown when WhatsApp versions on other operating systems will get the feature again.

The status with text will be under the About page of a profile, Techcrunch reports. Setting a status is done via that About page. The text status, which by default reads ‘hey there, I’m using WhatsApp’, will be displayed when opening a new chat or viewing participants in a group conversation. Users can enter a status themselves or tap options such as ‘busy’ or ‘in the cinema’.

WhatsApp replaced the text display with the photos feature last month. That new function will also remain, reports the chat app.