How to view old stories in WhatsApp?

How to view old stories in WhatsApp - briefly?

To view old stories in WhatsApp, you need to save them before they expire after 24 hours. Once saved, you can access them from your phone's gallery or the "My Status" section within the app.

How to view old stories in WhatsApp - in detail?

Viewing old stories on WhatsApp can be a challenge due to the app's design and privacy policies. However, there are several methods you can employ to access these ephemeral messages before they disappear forever.

Firstly, ensure that your WhatsApp is up-to-date, as older versions may lack certain features necessary for viewing old stories. Once updated, follow these steps:

1. Check the Status Tab: The most straightforward method is to check the 'Status' tab within the WhatsApp app. Stories posted by your contacts will appear here, and you can view them by tapping on the profile picture of the contact who posted it. However, this method only works if the story has not expired yet (24 hours for regular statuses, 7 days for 'View Once' messages).

2. Use WhatsApp Web: Another approach is to use WhatsApp Web, which allows you to access your WhatsApp account from a web browser on your computer. To do this:

   • Open WhatsApp on your phone and go to 'Settings'.
   • Select 'Linked Devices' and then 'Link a Device'.
   • Scan the QR code displayed on the WhatsApp Web page (https://web.whatsapp.com/) using your phone.
   • Once linked, you can view stories from the web interface, which sometimes retains older content that might have disappeared from the mobile app.

3. Download and Save: If you anticipate wanting to keep a story for longer than its expiration period, you can download it directly to your device:

   • Open the story you want to save.
   • Tap on the three dots (options menu) in the top right corner of the screen.
   • Select 'Download' or 'Save'. The story will be saved to your phone's gallery, where you can access it anytime.

4. Archive Chats: WhatsApp allows you to archive chats, which can help in organizing and finding old stories. Archived chats are moved out of the main chat list but are still searchable:

   • Long-press on a chat you want to archive.
   • Select 'Archive' from the menu that appears.
   • To view archived chats, scroll to the bottom of your chat list and select 'Archived'.

5. Backup: Regularly backing up your WhatsApp data ensures that even if a story disappears from the app, you can still access it from your backup:

   • Go to 'Settings' in WhatsApp.
   • Select 'Chats' and then 'Chat Backup'.
   • Follow the prompts to back up your chats, including media. This backup can be restored if needed, allowing you to retrieve old stories.