How to prevent messages from being marked as read in WhatsApp?

How to prevent messages from being marked as read in WhatsApp - briefly?

To prevent messages from being marked as read in WhatsApp, you can disable the "Read Receipts" feature. This setting is found under Privacy settings in the app. By turning off Read Receipts, your contacts will not see the blue checkmarks indicating that you have read their messages.

How to prevent messages from being marked as read in WhatsApp - in detail?

To prevent messages from being marked as read in WhatsApp, users can employ several strategies to maintain their privacy and control over message notifications. Here's a detailed guide on how to achieve this:

  1. Disable Read Receipts: WhatsApp offers an option to disable read receipts, which prevents others from seeing when you have read their messages. To turn off read receipts:

  2. Use Airplane Mode: This method involves temporarily disabling your internet connection to prevent WhatsApp from marking messages as read. Here’s how:

    • Turn on Airplane Mode before opening WhatsApp.
    • Open WhatsApp and read the message.
    • Close WhatsApp without replying or interacting with other parts of the app.
    • Turn off Airplane Mode only after you have exited WhatsApp.
  3. Disable Notifications: Disabling notifications can help in ensuring that messages are not marked as read automatically. However, this method requires manual checking:

    • Go to your device's Settings > Apps & Notifications > WhatsApp.
    • Turn off all notification options for WhatsApp.
    • Manually open the app to check for new messages.
  4. Use a Different Device: If privacy is critical and you want to avoid marking messages as read on your primary device, consider using a secondary device:

  5. Delete and Reinstall WhatsApp: This is a more extreme measure that should be used cautiously, as it involves losing chat history unless backed up:

    • Uninstall WhatsApp from your device.
    • Reinstall the app and set it up again with your phone number.
    • Once reinstalled, messages will not be marked as read until you open them.
  6. Use Third-Party Apps: There are third-party applications available that can help manage WhatsApp privacy settings, including the ability to prevent messages from being marked as read:

    • Research and select a reliable third-party app.
    • Follow the instructions provided by the app developer to set up and use the app effectively.

By implementing these strategies, users can maintain control over their message status and ensure that their privacy is protected on WhatsApp.