When someone is talking on WhatsApp, are they considered online?

When someone is talking on WhatsApp, are they considered online - briefly?

When a user is actively engaged in a conversation on WhatsApp, their status will typically indicate that they are "online." However, if the app is running in the background or the device is locked, the status may show as "last seen" instead.

When someone is talking on WhatsApp, are they considered online - in detail?

When someone is engaged in a conversation on WhatsApp, their status is typically indicated as "online." This designation serves multiple purposes, primarily to inform other users of the individual's availability for interaction. The "online" status is not merely an indicator of connectivity; rather, it signals that the user is actively using the app and is likely receptive to new messages or calls.

WhatsApp determines a user's online status based on several factors. One key factor is the user's activity within the app. When a person sends or receives messages, their status is updated to "online." This status remains active as long as there is continued interaction or until a certain period of inactivity passes. For instance, if a user reads a message but does not respond, their status might still show as "online" for a short while before changing to indicate they are "last seen" at a specific time.

Additionally, WhatsApp considers other activities such as making or receiving voice and video calls. During these interactions, the user's status is also marked as "online," reflecting their real-time engagement with the app. Once the call ends or there is a prolonged absence of activity, the status will update accordingly to indicate the user is no longer actively using WhatsApp.

It is essential to note that users have some control over their online status visibility. They can choose to disable the "last seen" feature in their privacy settings, which prevents others from seeing when they were last active on the app. However, this setting does not affect the real-time "online" status; it merely hides the historical data of their activity from other users.

In summary, a user's online status on WhatsApp is dynamically updated based on their current activities within the app. Whether they are sending messages, receiving calls, or actively engaged in conversations, their status will reflect their real-time availability and interaction with the platform.