WhatsApp Bringing Back About Status Feature Following Backlash Over Snapchat Stories Clone

WhatsApp is not getting rid of the Snapchat Stories clone feature it introduced a few weeks ago, but it plans to improve it. The cross-platform messaging app has decided to do this in response to the backlash it got since rolling out the feature. The company intends to bring back the feature that allowed users to set an availability status on the About section.

Just this Wednesday, TechCrunch learned that WhatsApp is bringing back the About Status feature to Android users next week before rolling it out to iPhone users. This feature allows users to set a text Status that other people can view either by opening a contact entry or starting a new chat thread or even by just checking a group chat info. The feature was previously removed to make way for the Snapchat Stories clone the company introduced in mid-February.

“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,” WhatsApp said in a statement. “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.”

The company added that it will continue to work on the new Status feature. “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.”

WhatsApp’s Snapchat Stores clone functions much like what the versions of Instagram and Facebook. It enables users to post pictures and videos that are timed to disappear after 24 hours. Initially, WhatsApp hoped for users to see this as a function that would be a worthy replacement of the text-based statuses, according to The Verge.