WhatsApp provides users with the privilege of having control over their online presence, making it possible to have a more private messaging experience. By making adjustments to certain settings, you will have the ability to decide who can see your online status and last seen time.
Controlling Online Status Visibility
How to personalize your online status visibility on WhatsApp:
Open WhatsApp.
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Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Privacy’.
Change Last Seen & Online Settings:
Tap on ‘Last Seen & Online’.
Under ‘Who can see my last seen’, choose from:
Everyone
My Contacts
My Contacts Except.
Nobody
For ‘Who can see when I’m online’, select from:
Everyone
Same as Last Seen
Alternative Methods to Appear Offline
Airplane Mode: Prior to opening WhatsApp, turn on airplane mode on your phone. This lets you read and reply to messages without refreshing your online status. Having left the app, turn off airplane mode to deliver the messages.
Disable Read Receipts: By disabling read receipts in privacy settings, senders will not be informed that you’ve read their messages, and there is another layer of discretion.
Considerations
Although these features increase privacy, keep in mind that concealing your online status implies that you will not be able to see others’ online statuses also. This bi-directional limitation makes the restriction equal for everyone, ensuring privacy settings are fair.
By using these settings and techniques, you can customize your WhatsApp experience to suit your privacy needs, allowing you to have more control over your online life.
