How to read a message in WhatsApp so that it remains unread?

How to read a message in WhatsApp so that it remains unread - briefly?

To read a message on WhatsApp without marking it as read, you can enable the Airplane Mode feature on your device before opening the message. This will prevent the app from sending a read receipt to the sender. After reading the message, simply close WhatsApp and disable Airplane Mode.

How to read a message in WhatsApp so that it remains unread - in detail?

To achieve the seemingly paradoxical task of reading a WhatsApp message without marking it as "Read," you can employ several strategies depending on your device and operating system. Here's an in-depth guide to help you navigate this process:

For iPhone Users:

1. Airplane Mode:

   • Turn on Airplane Mode by swiping up from the bottom of your screen (or going to Control Center) and tapping the airplane icon.
   • Open WhatsApp and read the message.
   • Close WhatsApp before turning off Airplane Mode. This method works because WhatsApp cannot send a "Read" receipt while in Airplane Mode.

2. Notification Preview:

   • Ensure that your iPhone is set to show notification previews. Go to Settings > Notifications > Messages, and make sure "Show Previews" is turned on.
   • Read the message from the notification preview without opening WhatsApp. This way, the sender won't see a "Read" receipt.

For Android Users:

1. Disable Read Receipts:

   • Open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Account > Privacy.
   • Turn off the "Read Receipts" option. Note that this will also prevent you from seeing read receipts from other users.

2. Notification Preview:

   • Similar to iPhones, ensure that your Android device is set to show notification previews. Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Notifications > App settings (WhatsApp) and make sure "On the lock screen" is set to show all message content.
   • Read the message from the notification preview without opening WhatsApp.

For Web/Desktop Users:

1. Reading Messages:
   • Open WhatsApp Web or Desktop.
   • Hover over a message to read its contents without clicking on it. This method allows you to view the message without sending a "Read" receipt.

Additional Tips:

• Muting Conversations:

  If you want to avoid notifications altogether, you can mute specific conversations by long-pressing the conversation in WhatsApp and selecting the mute option. This won't change the read status but will prevent notification interruptions.

• Third-Party Apps:

  There are third-party apps available that claim to allow reading messages without changing their status, but use them with caution as they may violate WhatsApp’s terms of service and could potentially compromise your privacy or security.

By following these steps, you can effectively read a message in WhatsApp while keeping it unread for the sender, ensuring you maintain control over your communication experience.