How to make it so that people cannot see when you are online in WhatsApp?

How to make it so that people cannot see when you are online in WhatsApp - briefly?

To ensure your privacy on WhatsApp and prevent others from seeing your online status, you can adjust your settings by disabling the "Read Receipts" option. This will hide the blue checkmarks that indicate when you have read a message. Additionally, you can set your profile picture and status to be visible only to specific contacts or no one at all.

How to make it so that people cannot see when you are online in WhatsApp - in detail?

To ensure that others cannot see your online status on WhatsApp, you can take several detailed steps. Here’s a comprehensive guide:

Privacy Settings

  1. Update Your Status: Ensure your last seen status is set to "Nobody." This means no one will be able to see when you were last active on WhatsApp.

    • Go to the WhatsApp settings.
    • Navigate to Account > Privacy > Last Seen.
    • Select "Nobody" from the options provided.
  2. Disable Read Receipts: Disabling read receipts means people won’t know when you have read their messages.

    • In WhatsApp settings, go to Account > Privacy.
    • Uncheck the box next to "Read Receipts."

Profile Picture and About Section

  1. Limit Visibility of Your Profile Picture and About: Restrict who can see your profile picture and about section. This doesn’t directly hide your online status but adds an extra layer of privacy.

Blocking Contacts

  1. Block Specific Contacts: If there are specific people you don’t want to see your online status, consider blocking them. Note that this will also prevent them from contacting you.
    • Go to the contact you wish to block.
    • Tap on their name at the top of the chat.
    • Select "Block."

Airplane Mode

  1. Use Airplane Mode: This method allows you to read messages without appearing online.
    • Turn on airplane mode on your device.
    • Open WhatsApp and read your messages.
    • Exit the app before turning off airplane mode. Your status will not change, and you won’t appear online.

Third-Party Apps

  1. Third-Party Apps (Caution Required): There are third-party apps that claim to hide your online status. However, use these with caution as they may violate WhatsApp's terms of service and could potentially compromise your account security.
    • Research and install a reputable third-party app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
    • Follow the app’s instructions to hide your online status.

General Tips

  1. Avoid Using WhatsApp Web: When you are using WhatsApp Web, your status will show as "Online." To avoid this, stick to the mobile app when you want to maintain privacy.
  2. Regularly Check and Update Settings: Privacy settings can sometimes get reset or changed due to updates. Regularly check and update your settings to ensure your online status remains hidden.

By following these detailed steps, you can effectively manage who sees your online status on WhatsApp, ensuring a higher level of privacy in your communications.