How to read a message in WhatsApp and leave it unread on an Android phone - briefly?
To read a message in WhatsApp without marking it as read on an Android phone, use the notification panel to view the message content. Alternatively, open WhatsApp and tap on the message preview in the chat list; this will allow you to read the message without changing its status to 'read'.
How to read a message in WhatsApp and leave it unread on an Android phone - in detail?
To achieve the goal of reading a message on WhatsApp without marking it as read, you can follow these detailed steps on your Android device:
- Enable Notification Previews: Ensure that your notification settings allow for previews. Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > WhatsApp > Notifications. Here, make sure the option for "Allow notifications" is turned on and that you have enabled "Show preview." This setting will enable you to read messages directly from the notification bar without opening the app.
- Read Messages from the Notification Bar: When a new message arrives, swipe down from the top of your screen to view the notification bar. You should see a preview of the incoming WhatsApp message. Read the entire message from this preview.
- Avoid Opening the App or Tapping on the Notification: It is crucial not to tap on the notification itself, as doing so will mark the message as read within the app. Simply reading from the notification preview ensures that the message remains unread when you open the WhatsApp application later.
- Use Airplane Mode (Optional): If you want an extra layer of security to ensure the message is not marked as read, you can use Airplane Mode. After reading the message in the notification bar, quickly turn on Airplane Mode by swiping down from the top of your screen and tapping on the Airplane icon. This will disconnect your device from the internet, preventing WhatsApp from updating the message status until you reconnect.
- Turn Off Airplane Mode: Once you have read the message and are sure you do not want it to be marked as read immediately, turn off Airplane Mode by swiping down again and tapping on the same icon. Your device will reconnect to the internet, but the message status in WhatsApp will remain unchanged.
By following these steps, you can effectively read a WhatsApp message without it being marked as read in the app itself. This method allows you to maintain control over your message status and respond at your own pace.