When using the popular messaging service WhatsApp, it often feels imperative to reply to a message immediately.
That’s because the app tells your contacts when you are ‘online’ – ie, available to check and reply – which makes the conversation that much more difficult to put off. However, there is a way you can stop your contacts from thinking you are online. Yes, you can appear offline. While remaining online.
It’s all down to your Privacy settings, as with everything these days. Here’s how to do it…You can also turn off the function that shows your contact when you have seen and read their message.
To hide the fact you are online, all you need to do is this:
- Enter WhatsApp
- In Android, select the drop-down list of options located on the top right and select ‘Settings’, or just hit the ‘Settings’ toggle located bottom left in iOS
- Go to ‘Account’
- Hit ‘Privacy’
- Head to ‘Status’
- Select ‘Only Share With…’ and DON’T select any contacts, meaning your status will appear blank to everyone
- Head back to ‘Account’ and unselect Red Receipts to hide the fact you’ve read people’s messages
- In the ‘Privacy’ section you can also change who sees your ‘Live Location’ (which tracks your movements), your ‘Profile photo’ and your ‘About’ section
Now you’re offline and no one can do a damn thing about it.