bossbird: I touch the three dots top left of screen to go to settings and from there say online or offline and save
Yes, I was aware that you can access settings while "in game". If playing alone, not a big deal but you do not get a "ping" if a friend signs on. If playing with others, if between players, and one player access the settings, I believe everyone else starts spinning until that player closes settings and returns to the game screen.
Also, while playing with others, the settings screen covers the game whereas, in the old "days" changing status never interfered with game in any way.