How to make read messages appear unread in WhatsApp?

How to make read messages appear unread in WhatsApp - briefly?

To make read messages appear unread in WhatsApp, you can simply use the "Mark as Unread" feature. This option is available by long-pressing on a message and selecting the appropriate icon.

How to make read messages appear unread in WhatsApp - in detail?

Marking a message as unread in WhatsApp can be particularly useful for reminding yourself to respond later or for keeping track of important conversations that you don't want to lose sight of. While the official WhatsApp application doesn’t provide a built-in feature to mark messages as unread directly, there are several workarounds and third-party applications that can help achieve this.

Method 1: Using Android Devices

For users with Android devices, you can make use of the notification system to mark messages as unread. Here’s how:

1. Receive a Message: When you receive a message on WhatsApp, it will appear in your notification tray.
2. Clear Notification: Swipe away the notification from the tray.
3. Reboot Your Device: Reboot your Android device. This action will cause all notifications to reappear, including the WhatsApp messages.
4. Mark as Unread: Once the device has rebooted and the notifications have appeared again, you can open the WhatsApp app. The message will now appear unread.

Method 2: Using Third-Party Applications

Several third-party applications are designed specifically to manage WhatsApp messages and provide additional features that the official application lacks. Here’s how you can use one such app, Notification History:

1. Download and Install: Download and install the Notification History app from the Google Play Store.
2. Enable Notification History: Open the app and follow the on-screen instructions to enable notification history. This might require granting certain permissions.
3. Receive a Message: Receive a message in WhatsApp.
4. Mark as Unread: Open the Notification History app, find the WhatsApp notification, and tap on it. This action will mark the message as unread in the official WhatsApp application.

Method 3: Using WhatsApp Web (Desktop)

WhatsApp Web can also be used to manage read and unread messages, particularly if you prefer using a desktop environment:

1. Open WhatsApp Web: Go to web.whatsapp.com on your computer’s web browser.
2. Scan QR Code: Use your phone to scan the QR code displayed on the screen. This will link your WhatsApp account to the web interface.
3. Receive a Message: Receive a message on WhatsApp Web.
4. Mark as Unread: Right-click on the message you want to mark as unread and select “Mark as unread.” This feature is built into WhatsApp Web and allows for easy management of read/unread statuses.

Method 4: Using iOS Devices with Shortcuts App

For users with iOS devices, Apple’s Shortcuts app can be configured to mark messages as unread:

1. Download and Install: Download the Shortcuts app from the App Store if you haven't already.
2. Create a New Shortcut: Open the Shortcuts app and tap on the “+” icon to create a new shortcut.
3. Add Action: In the search bar, type "Mark as unread" and select the appropriate action.
4. Save Shortcut: Save the shortcut with an easy-to-remember name.
5. Use Shortcut: Whenever you need to mark a message as unread, simply open the Shortcuts app, find your shortcut, and run it.

Conclusion

While WhatsApp doesn’t offer a native feature to mark messages as unread, these methods provide effective workarounds for both Android and iOS users. By utilizing notification systems, third-party applications, or built-in features on WhatsApp Web, you can efficiently manage the read/unread status of your messages.