7 steps to update your Whatsapp

dubai — Earlier last week, UAE residents were in for a surprise when they updated WhatsApp on their phones. The popular messaging app introduced its new ‘status’ feature which allows users to share short video status messages that disappear after 24 hours.

While the move may be a tech leap from the application’s older text-only status messages, social media is abuzz with users complaining it is too close to the Snapchat ‘Stories’ feature and is, therefore, an overkill.

But how exactly does it work? If you’ve used Snapchat or Instagram Stories, here are some steps you might be familiar with: (See the steps given in images here.)

Tried all these steps and still don’t like it? You’re not alone. The new feature does not sit well with many users of the app.

On Twitter alone, a lot of users are clamouring to the app to go back to its older version with its simple text statuses. These default status messages said “Hey I’m on WhatsApp”, but one could simply edit it to any short quip. Speaking to Khaleej Times, UAE resident Fariha Osmani said that it can be risky since majority of the app’s users in the UAE have their colleagues, relatives and even handymen on their phone contacts.

This wide range of contacts allows even mere acquaintances to have an unintended peek at one’s life, she complains. Another Dubai resident, Ryan Miglinczy, said that he “doesn’t understand the point of it.”