How to Fix Whatsapp Status Search icon not Appearing or Missing?

Whatsapp is everyone's day-to-day messaging platform. Which is getting so many new functionalities like Telegram. WhatsApp recently launched a new feature called channels, which allows businesses and organizations to broadcast messages to a large audience. I personally like how Meta is trying to make omnidirectional changes in their different platforms to keep active users and make the best out of the online ecosystem.

Some WhatsApp users have reported that the Status Search icon disappeared after the new channels feature was introduced, making it difficult to search for specific people's statuses. WhatsApp also renamed their  'Status' section to  'Updates' section after integration of channels in WhatsApp application.

There could be a couple of reasons why this issue is happening. One explanation could be that WhatsApp is still in the process of integrating the Status Search icon with the new channels feature. Alternatively, a bug in the latest version of WhatsApp is likely causing the issue. I believe WhatsApp should prioritize fixing the absence of the Status Search icon, as it's essential for many users.

Solutions to fix Search Icon not Appearing on Whatsapp Status Search:

[Update: October 29, 2023]:- Many users of the latest WhatsApp version [ 2.23.21.88 ] have confirmed that the status search icon is back. I also personally checked my Android WhatsApp, and the search icon is now appearing. Please update your Whatsapp to the above version & wait for 3 to 4 days. You will able to use the SEARCH icon like earlier.

[Update: 1 Oct 2023]:- Whatsapp included  'Viewed Updates' section in latest update [2.23.19.82]. Please update your app if its not showing. So now at least you will able to see "already viewed status updates"  but still no search icon.You need to scroll to find specific whatsapp contacts  'status update'.

Here are 2 workaround solutions to fix search issue.

1. Using search bar at the top of the WhatsApp app to search for specific status search

This will bring up a list of all contacts with their name. You can use mega search to filter those contacts.

To use the search bar at the top of the WhatsApp app to search for the name of the person whose status you want to see, follow these steps:

1. Open the WhatsApp app.
2. Tap on the search bar at the top of the screen.[Mega Search Bar]
3. Type the name of the person whose status you want to see.
4. A list of all contacts with that name will appear.
5. Please tap on the correct contact to see their status.

If the person's status is public, you will be able to see it even if you have not viewed their status in the past 24 hours. However, if the person's status is private or restricted, You will able to view it only when if you fit into their filter criteria.

Here are some additional tips for searching for WhatsApp statuses using the search bar:

• You can use partial names or nicknames to search for contacts. For example, if you search for "Kim," you will see all contacts with the name "Kim" or "Kimjon."
• You can also use search filters to narrow down your results. For example, you can filter your results by contact type (individual or group chat), status type (text, photo, video, or link), or date range.
• If you are searching for a specific status update, try typing in a keyword or phrase from the status update. For example, if you are searching for a status update about a party, you could try typing in the word "party." 

2. Use a third-party app to search for WhatsApp statuses

There are a number of third-party apps that allow users to search for WhatsApp statuses. These apps can be found on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.But we  recommend to use those apps which are authentic and genuine. Dont use any random app as it may leads to account compromise. 

Here are some tips for choosing a safe and reliable third-party app to search for WhatsApp statuses:

• Read reviews from other users before downloading the app.
• Make sure the app has a good reputation and is from a trusted developer.
• Check the app's privacy policy to make sure it does not collect any sensitive information from you.
• Be wary of any app that asks for permission to access your WhatsApp account.

Some popular third-party apps for searching WhatsApp statuses include:

• Status Saver
• Status Downloader
• Status Viewer
• Status Search for WhatsApp

These apps allow you to search for WhatsApp statuses by name, date, or keyword. They also allow you to download and save statuses to your phone.

It is important to note that WhatsApp does not officially endorse any third-party apps. Therefore, it is important to use these apps with caution.

Here are some additional tips for using third-party apps to search for WhatsApp statuses:

• Only download apps from trusted app stores, such as the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
• Read the app's permissions carefully before downloading it. Only download apps that need the permissions that they are asking for.
• Be careful about what information you share with third-party apps. Avoid sharing any sensitive information, such as your phone number or email address.
• Keep your third-party apps up to date. This will help to ensure that they are secure and that they are not known to have any vulnerabilities.

If you are unsure about whether or not to use a third-party app to search for WhatsApp statuses, it is best to avoid using them. There are a number of other ways to search for WhatsApp statuses, such as using the search bar in the WhatsApp app or asking the person to send you their status directly.

Update 25th Sept 2023:  Look like Whatsapp is not going to bring back search icon again. So you must consider to use above mentioned workaround to search someones Whatsapp Status.

We hope whatsapp will fix this in upcoming updates, we highly recommend to update your app on regular basis and consider above workaround until we get back our old status search icon in Whatsapp. If you find another workaround/solution to this problem please let us know in comments.