How to hide online status in WhatsApp on my phone?

How to hide online status in WhatsApp on my phone - briefly?

To hide your online status in WhatsApp on your phone, you can adjust the privacy settings. Go to "Settings" > "Account" > "Privacy" and then select who can see your online status under the "Last Seen & Online" section.

How to hide online status in WhatsApp on my phone - in detail?

To hide your online status in WhatsApp, you can follow these detailed steps:

  1. Understand the Privacy Settings: WhatsApp offers several privacy settings that allow you to control who sees when you're online. These settings are found under the "Account" section in the app.
  2. Accessing Privacy Settings:

    • Open WhatsApp on your phone.
    • Tap on the three dots (⋮) located at the top right corner of the screen to access the menu.
    • Select "Settings" from the dropdown list.
  3. Adjust Last Seen Privacy:

    • In the Settings menu, tap on "Account".
    • Select "Privacy". This section allows you to manage who can see your last seen status and read receipts.
    • Tap on "Last Seen" to adjust this setting. You have three options:
      • Everyone: Anyone can see when you were last online.
      • My Contacts: Only people in your address book can see when you were last online.
      • Nobody: No one can see when you were last online. This is the option you should choose if you want to hide your online status.
  4. Disabling Read Receipts (Optional):

    • While still in the Privacy settings, you can also disable read receipts by tapping on "Read Receipts". Turning this off means that others won't know when you have read their messages.
  5. Understanding Limitations:

    • It’s important to note that while these settings help maintain your privacy, they don't completely hide all indicators of your online activity. For example, if you send a message, the recipient will still see that you are currently active.
  6. Checking Your Status:

    • To verify that your settings have been applied correctly, you can ask a friend to check your last seen status or read receipt availability.

By following these steps, you can effectively manage who sees your online status in WhatsApp, providing an additional layer of privacy and control over your communication experience.