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

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

To ensure that a message remains unread in a WhatsApp group chat, you can use the "Mark as Unread" feature after reading the message. This way, the message will still appear as unread to others, while you have already seen its content.

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

To read a message in WhatsApp without marking it as read in a group chat, you can utilize several methods available on both Android and iOS devices. Here is a detailed guide to help you achieve this:

For Android Users:

  1. Enable Airplane Mode:

    • Turn on Airplane Mode by swiping down from the top of your screen and tapping the Airplane Mode icon. This will disconnect your device from all networks, including Wi-Fi and mobile data.

  2. Read the Message:

    • Open WhatsApp and read the message in the group chat. Since you are offline, the message status will not change to 'read'.

  3. Close WhatsApp:

    • After reading the message, close the WhatsApp application completely. You can do this by swiping away the app from your recent apps list.

  4. Disable Airplane Mode:

    • Turn off Airplane Mode and reconnect to the internet. The message will still appear as unread to the sender and other participants in the group chat.

For iOS Users:

  1. Turn Off Wi-Fi and Mobile Data:

    • Swipe up from the bottom of your screen (or down from the top right corner on newer models) to access the Control Center, then tap the Wi-Fi icon to turn it off and the mobile data icon to disable mobile data.

  2. Read the Message:

    • Open WhatsApp and read the message in the group chat. Since your device is offline, the message status will not update to 'read'.

  3. Close WhatsApp:

    • After reading the message, close the WhatsApp application completely by double-tapping the Home button (or swiping up from the bottom of the screen and pausing) to bring up the app switcher, then swipe up on the WhatsApp preview to close it.

  4. Reconnect to the Internet:

    • Turn on Wi-Fi and mobile data by accessing the Control Center again. The message will remain unread for the sender and other participants in the group chat.

Additional Tips:

  • Do Not Open Notifications:

    • Avoid opening WhatsApp notifications directly from the notification panel, as this can mark the message as read.

  • Use a Secondary Device:

    • If you want to ensure that messages remain unread on your primary device, you can use a secondary device (such as an old phone or a tablet) to read the messages without affecting the status on your main device.

By following these steps, you can effectively read messages in WhatsApp group chats without marking them as read, allowing you to maintain control over when and how others know you have seen their messages.