How to hide reading SMS in WhatsApp?

How to hide reading SMS in WhatsApp - briefly?

To prevent others from seeing when you've read their messages on WhatsApp, simply turn off the "Read Receipts" feature. This can be done by going to your account settings and toggling off this option.

How to hide reading SMS in WhatsApp - in detail?

Hiding the fact that you have read an SMS (text message) on WhatsApp can be a delicate task, as the application inherently notifies senders when their messages are marked as read. However, there are several methods and strategies you can employ to maintain some level of privacy. Here is a detailed guide:

Disabling Read Receipts Globally

WhatsApp provides an option to disable read receipts for all contacts. This means that no one will be notified when you have read their messages, including SMS. To do this:

  1. Open WhatsApp on your device.
  2. Go to the "Settings" menu.
  3. Navigate to "Account."
  4. Tap on "Privacy."
  5. Under the "Read Receipts" section, toggle off the switch.

Using Airplane Mode

A common trick is to use Airplane Mode to read messages without sending a read receipt. Here’s how:

  1. Turn on Airplane Mode on your device. This will disable all wireless connections, including data and Wi-Fi.
  2. Open WhatsApp and read the SMS you want to keep private.
  3. Close WhatsApp before turning off Airplane Mode.
  4. Ensure that you do not open WhatsApp again until you are ready for the sender to know you have read their message.

Third-Party Applications

There are third-party applications available that claim to hide read receipts, but their effectiveness and legality can vary. Some popular options include:

  • WhatsApp++: An unofficial version of WhatsApp with additional features, including the ability to disable read receipts. However, using such applications may violate WhatsApp’s terms of service and could lead to your account being banned.
  • Freedom: Another third-party application that offers various privacy features, including the option to hide read receipts.

Reading Notifications Only

Another method is to simply read SMS notifications without opening WhatsApp:

  1. Ensure that your device’s notification settings are configured to show message previews.
  2. Read the SMS directly from the notification panel without tapping on it to open WhatsApp. This way, the sender will not receive a read receipt.

Using Two Devices

If you have access to two devices with the same WhatsApp account, you can use one device solely for reading messages privately:

  1. Install and set up WhatsApp on both devices using the same phone number.
  2. Use one device to read SMS without sending a read receipt.
  3. The other device will remain unaware of the read status, preserving your privacy.

Customizing Notification Settings

Adjusting notification settings can also help in hiding that you have read an SMS:

  1. Go to your device’s "Settings."
  2. Navigate to "Apps" and select WhatsApp.
  3. Tap on "Notifications."
  4. Customize the settings to show previews of messages. This allows you to read SMS without opening WhatsApp directly, thereby preventing a read receipt from being sent.