How do I remove the online status in WhatsApp - briefly?
To remove your "online" status in WhatsApp, follow these steps:
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings.
- Select Account > Privacy > Last Seen & Status, then choose Nobody or My Contacts except.
How do I remove the online status in WhatsApp - in detail?
To remove or hide your "online" status in WhatsApp, you need to adjust certain settings and use some features available within the app. Here’s a detailed guide on how to do this:
Last Seen Privacy Setting
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your smartphone.
- Go to Settings: Tap on the three dots (⋮) in the top right corner for Android users or the "Settings" icon at the bottom right for iPhone users.
- Account: Select "Account" from the menu.
- Privacy: Under "Account," tap on "Privacy."
- Last Seen & Online: In the privacy settings, you will see two options: "Last Seen" and "Online."
- Customize Your Status: For both options, you can choose between three visibility levels:
- Everyone: Allows everyone to see your status.
- My Contacts: Only your contacts can see your status.
- Nobody: No one can see your "online" or "last seen" status.
Read Receipts
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the application on your phone.
- Go to Settings: Tap on the three dots (⋮) for Android users or the "Settings" icon at the bottom right for iPhone users.
- Account: Select "Account."
- Privacy: Under "Account," tap on "Privacy."
- Read Receipts: Toggle off the "Read Receipts" option. This will prevent others from seeing when you have read their messages, but it won’t hide your “online” status entirely. It will only affect the blue ticks that indicate message delivery and reading.
Airplane Mode Trick
While this method is more of a workaround than a permanent solution, it can be useful in certain situations:
- Turn On Airplane Mode: Before opening WhatsApp, turn on Airplane Mode on your device. This will disconnect you from the internet and prevent WhatsApp from displaying your "online" status.
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the app while in Airplane Mode to read messages without being marked as “online.”
- Close WhatsApp: After reading the messages, close the app completely.
- Turn Off Airplane Mode: Disable Airplane Mode and reconnect to the internet. Your "last seen" status will update based on when you last opened the app, but your contacts won’t see you as “online” during the time you were in Airplane Mode.
Use WhatsApp Web with Incognito Mode
If you prefer using WhatsApp Web on a computer:
- Open Incognito Mode: Launch an incognito window in your web browser (usually by pressing Ctrl+Shift+N or Cmd+Shift+N).
- Access WhatsApp Web: Go to the WhatsApp Web website and scan the QR code with your phone.
- Use WhatsApp Web: Your activity on WhatsApp Web in an incognito window will not be reflected as "online" in your mobile app.
By following these steps, you can effectively manage and hide your "online" status in WhatsApp, providing you with more control over your privacy settings.