How to change "Was online" status in WhatsApp?

How to change Was online status in WhatsApp - briefly?

To change the "Last seen" status on WhatsApp, follow these steps:

  1. Open WhatsApp and go to Settings.
  2. Select Account > Privacy > Last Seen, then choose who can see your last seen status (Everyone, My Contacts, or Nobody).

How to change Was online status in WhatsApp - in detail?

Changing the "Last Seen" or "Online" status on WhatsApp is a common request among users who wish to maintain their privacy. While WhatsApp does not provide a direct option to completely hide this information, there are several strategies you can employ to manage your visibility more effectively.

Understanding WhatsApp Privacy Settings

WhatsApp offers a range of privacy settings that allow you to control who sees your "Last Seen," "Profile Photo," and "About" sections. To access these settings:

  1. Open WhatsApp on your device.
  2. Navigate to the "Settings" menu, usually represented by three vertical dots or a gear icon at the top right corner.
  3. Select "Account."
  4. Tap on "Privacy."

Adjusting Last Seen Settings

Within the Privacy settings, you can choose who sees your "Last Seen" status:

  1. Under "Last Seen," tap to open the options menu.
  2. You will see three choices:
    • Everyone: Allows everyone to see your last seen time.
    • My Contacts: Limits visibility to people in your address book.
    • Nobody: Completely hides your "Last Seen" status from all users.

Selecting "Nobody" is the most effective way to prevent others from seeing when you were last online. However, keep in mind that choosing this option also means you won't be able to see other people's "Last Seen" status either.

Additional Privacy Measures

To further enhance your privacy on WhatsApp:

  1. Read Receipts: You can disable read receipts (blue ticks) in the same Privacy settings menu by unchecking the box next to "Read Receipts."
  2. Profile Photo and About: Similarly, you can restrict who sees your profile photo and "About" section using the options provided under the Privacy settings.
  3. Block Contacts: If there are specific users whose messages or calls you wish to avoid, you can block them from within their chat window.

Limitations and Workarounds

It's important to note that despite these privacy settings, WhatsApp still allows users to see when a message has been delivered (gray ticks) and read (blue ticks), unless the read receipts are disabled. Additionally, even if you choose "Nobody" for your "Last Seen," your contacts may still see your online status temporarily while you are active on the app.

Conclusion

While WhatsApp does not offer a foolproof method to completely hide your online activity, adjusting your privacy settings can significantly reduce the visibility of your "Last Seen" status. By choosing appropriate options and employing additional measures, you can better control your presence on the platform.