WhatsApp is ubiquitous. As one of the most popular messaging platforms globally with over 2 billion users, its status feature enabling photo and video sharing has become a staple of digital communication norms.
Since its launch, WhatsApp status maintained a distinct vertical feed showing recent updates from all contacts sequentially. However, a major 2023 update replaced this with a horizontal view mirroring the aesthetics of Instagram Stories and Snapchat (Estable, 2023).
This guide will unpack the rationale behind this interface refresh while showing users how to revert back to the old reliable vertical look. For those more attached to WhatsApp’s legacy design or finding the new display overwhelming, changing it back is simple.
The Storied History of WhatsApp‘s Vertical View
WhatsApp introduced Statuses in early 2017, replicating Snapchat’s ephemeral story format as social rivals looked to capitalize on the latter’s innovation (Dickson, 2023). Despite borrowing ideas, WhatsApp’s status design differed from competitors.
Its vertical feed enabled scanning many recent updates sequentially, whereas Snapchat and Instagram displayed Stories as tap-through rectangles. WhatsApp chose optimized functionality over flash, a fitting aesthetic for its stripped-down style.
This vertically-scrolling method has characterized the app for years since, becoming key to the status experience of its vast global community. But the recent horizontal alteration marks a dramatic pivot, one that may alienate its loyal longest-standing users.
Driving Adoption or Alienation? The Logic Behind WhatsApp‘s Launch of Horizontal Statuses
WhatsApp’s introduction ofChannels finally brought horizontal statuses to its app. This reflects a purposeful change intended to drive more attention to Channels.
By linking visual layout between personal contacts‘ updates and public Channel broadcasts, the company hopes users will find and engage Channels content more naturally thanks to design mirroring (Hern, 2023).
But borrowing interface cues from its Snap and Instagram contemporaries risks diluting the app‘s identity. Veteran WhatsApp devotees now suddenly need to learn an entirely new status navigation flow.
And with users spending 88% more time in apps with familiar designs, this overhaul poses an adoption barrier also for Channels (FullStory, 2022). So whether the status design harmonization ultimately attains its goal or backfires remains to be seen.
Reverting to the Legacy Vertical View in Simple Steps
If you fall into the camp valuing WhatsApp’s throwback vertical look and usefulness for scanning statuses, reversing the horizontal change is easy.
Follow these straightforward iOS or Android instructions depending on your device to restore the classic status feed you know and love:
On iPhone
- Open WhatsApp and tap the "Updates" tab
- Scroll down and tap any Channels you currently follow
- Select the three-dot menu in upper right corner
- Choose "Unfollow" to unsubscribe from that Channel
- Repeat Steps 2-4 to unfollow any other Channels
- Return to "Updates" tab to see vertical statuses again
On Android
- Launch WhatsApp and select the "Status" tab
- Tap "Channels" at top of screen
- Choose the three-dot menu beside any followed Channels
- Pick "Unfollow" to unsubscribe from that Channel
- Repeat Steps 3-4 to unfollow remaining Channels
- Hit back arrow and re-enter "Recent Updates"
- Your vertical status feed will reappear
Essentially by removing all followed Channels, you revert WhatsApp‘s display to its original form showing contacts‘ statuses in sequential order down the page.
Screenshot showing where to access Unfollow on Channels
The Bottom Line
While innovation often brings necessary disruption, eliminating features power-users rely upon risks harming platform stickiness. For a 13-year-old application like WhatsApp, this presents a delicate balancing act as it evolves to meet demands of modern social technology without alienating its original fanbase.
Hopefully by offering configurable status views in the future, WhatsApp can expand its capabilities while retaining the vertical feed diehards prefer. In the meantime, simply unfollowing Channels is all that’s needed to reclaim the classic status experience.
