How to Make WhatsApp Last Seen While Online: Complete Guide

Kapanlagi.com - WhatsApp has a Last Seen feature that allows users to know when someone was last online. However, there are times when we want to appear offline even though we are actually active. Do you want to maintain privacy without having to completely turn off WhatsApp?

Don't worry, there is a way to make WhatsApp appear as last seen while you are online. In this guide, we will explain the easy steps to set up this feature, both through WhatsApp's default settings and third-party applications.

By following the steps above, you can control who can see your online status on WhatsApp. Here are the steps on how to make WhatsApp last seen while online:

1. Understanding the “Last Seen” Feature on WhatsApp

WhatsApp application (credit: pexels.com)

The “Last Seen” feature on WhatsApp is one of the important elements in this instant messaging application. This feature displays information about when a user last accessed or opened the WhatsApp application. This information is typically shown in a time format, such as “Last seen today at 10:30” or “Last seen yesterday at 20:15.”

Although this feature can be useful for knowing the activity of our contacts, some users feel uncomfortable with the transparency it offers. This is because the feature can reveal a person’s WhatsApp usage patterns, which is sometimes considered a violation of privacy.

Fortunately, WhatsApp provides options to manage the visibility of the “Last Seen” status. Users can choose to display this status to everyone, only contacts, or even hide it completely. These settings give users greater control over their personal information.

2. Why Do People Want to Hide Their Online Status on WhatsApp?

The desire to hide online status on WhatsApp is not uncommon. Many users seek ways to do this for various reasons. Here are some common motivations behind this desire:

1. Privacy: Some people consider their online status as personal information that they do not want to share with everyone in their contact list.

2. Avoiding Social Pressure: Being online can create expectations to respond to messages immediately, which can sometimes be uncomfortable or impractical.

3. Time Management: Hiding online status allows users to manage their time better without feeling obligated to always respond.

4. Avoiding Conflict: In some situations, being online but not responding to messages can lead to misunderstandings or conflicts in relationships.

5. Security: Some people may want to hide their online activity patterns for security reasons.

Understanding these motivations is important to realize why privacy features in messaging apps like WhatsApp are highly valued by many users.

3. How to Hide the “Last Seen” Status on WhatsApp

Hiding the “Last Seen” status on WhatsApp is a simple yet effective step to enhance your privacy. Here is a step-by-step guide to do it:

For Android Users:

1. Open the WhatsApp app on your Android device.
2. Tap the three-dot icon in the upper right corner of the screen to open the menu.
3. Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
4. Tap on “Account.”
5. Select the “Privacy” option.
6. Find and tap on “Last Seen.”
7. Choose one of the three available options: “Everyone,” “My Contacts,” or “Nobody.”

For iOS Users:

1. Open the WhatsApp app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the “Settings” tab at the bottom of the screen.
3. Select “Account” then “Privacy.”
4. Tap on “Last Seen.”
5. Choose the option you want: “Everyone,” “My Contacts,” or “Nobody.”

After following these steps, your “Last Seen” status will be hidden according to your choice. Keep in mind that if you choose to hide this status from everyone, you will also not be able to see the “Last Seen” status of others.

4. Hiding Online Status on WhatsApp

WhatsApp Application (credit: pexels.com)

In addition to hiding the "Last Seen" status, many users also want to hide their online status on WhatsApp. Although WhatsApp does not provide a direct option to hide online status, there are several tricks you can use:

1.Use Airplane Mode

One effective way to hide your online status is by using airplane mode:

1. Enable airplane mode on your device.
2. Open WhatsApp and read or reply to the messages you want.
3. Completely close the WhatsApp application.
4. Disable airplane mode.

With this method, your messages will be sent when the internet connection becomes active again, but you will not appear online while reading or replying to messages.

2.Disable Cellular Data or Wi-Fi

Another similar way is to disable cellular data or Wi-Fi before opening WhatsApp:

1. Turn off cellular data or Wi-Fi on your device.
2. Open WhatsApp and read incoming messages.
3. Write a reply if necessary.
4. Close the WhatsApp application.
5. Re-enable your internet connection.

Your reply message will be sent when the internet connection is turned back on, without showing your online status.

3.Use Pop-up Notification Feature

WhatsApp provides a pop-up notification feature that allows you to read and reply to messages without opening the app:

1. Open WhatsApp Settings.
2. Select "Notifications".
3. Enable the "Use high priority notifications" option (for Android) or "Show Preview" (for iOS).

With this feature, you can read and reply to messages directly from the notifications without opening the app, so your online status will not appear.

5. Disabling Blue Tick on WhatsApp

The blue tick on WhatsApp indicates that your message has been read by the recipient. Disabling this feature can help enhance your privacy. Here’s how to disable the blue tick:

For Android Users:

1. Open the WhatsApp application.
2. Tap the three dots icon in the upper right corner.
3. Select “Settings.”
4. Tap “Account” then “Privacy.”
5. Scroll down and disable the “Read Receipts” option.

For iOS Users:

1. Open WhatsApp on your iPhone.
2. Tap the “Settings” tab at the bottom.
3. Select “Account” then “Privacy.”
4. Disable the “Read Receipts” toggle.

Keep in mind that when you disable the blue tick, you will also not be able to see the blue ticks for messages you send to others. Additionally, this feature does not apply to group chats and voice messages.

6. Setting WhatsApp Status Privacy

WhatsApp Status, which allows users to share photos, videos, or texts that disappear after 24 hours, also has its own privacy settings. Here’s how to set your WhatsApp status privacy:

1. Open WhatsApp and go to the “Status” tab.
2. Tap “Privacy” in the top right corner (for Android) or “Privacy” at the bottom of the screen (for iOS).
3. Choose one of the three options:
   • “My contacts”: Only contacts on your phone can see the status.
   • “My contacts, except…”: Select specific contacts who cannot see your status.
   • “Share only with…”: Select specific contacts who can see your status.

By setting your status privacy, you can control who can see your status updates, providing an additional layer of privacy for your WhatsApp activities.

7. Using WhatsApp Web with Privacy

WhatsApp Application (credit: pexels.com)

WhatsApp Web is the desktop version of the WhatsApp application that allows users to access their messages through a web browser. Although WhatsApp Web does not have all the privacy features available in the mobile app, there are several steps you can take to enhance your privacy while using this platform:

1.Use Incognito Mode in Your Browser

When accessing WhatsApp Web, use incognito mode or private browsing mode in your browser. This will prevent the browser from saving your browsing history and cookies from your WhatsApp Web session.

2.Log Out After Use

Always log out of WhatsApp Web after you are done using it, especially if you are accessing it from a public computer or a shared computer.

3.Check Active Sessions

Periodically check the active WhatsApp Web sessions in your mobile app:

1. Open WhatsApp on your phone.
2. Tap the three dots icon (Android) or go to Settings (iOS).
3. Select “WhatsApp Web/Desktop”.
4. Check the list of active sessions and log out of any sessions you do not recognize or no longer use.

4.Disable Desktop Notifications

If you are using WhatsApp Web on a shared computer, disable desktop notifications to prevent messages from appearing when you are not in front of the computer:

1. Open WhatsApp Web.
2. Click the three dots icon in the chat panel.
3. Select “Settings” then “Notifications”.
4. Disable the “Desktop Notifications” option.

By implementing these steps, you can enjoy the convenience of WhatsApp Web while still maintaining your privacy.

8. Benefits of Hiding Online Status on WhatsApp

Hiding your online status on WhatsApp brings several benefits that can enhance user experience and maintain privacy. Here are some key advantages:

1. Increased Privacy

By hiding your online status, you have greater control over the information shared about your online activity. This prevents others from knowing when you are active on the app.

2. Reduced Social Pressure

When your online status is hidden, you do not feel compelled to respond immediately to incoming messages. This gives you the freedom to reply to messages at your convenience and schedule.

3. Improved Productivity

Without constant distractions from notifications or the expectation to always be available, you can focus more on important tasks without feeling guilty for not responding to messages right away.

4. Avoiding Conflicts

Hiding your online status can help avoid situations where someone feels ignored because you appear online but do not respond to their messages.

5. Flexibility in Communication

You can choose the right time to communicate without feeling monitored or watched by your contacts.

6. Work-Life Balance

Especially in the era of remote work, hiding your online status helps separate work time from personal time, preventing the expectation to always be available.

7. Protection from Online Harassment

For those who may experience online harassment or stalking, hiding your online status can be an important protective measure.

By understanding these benefits, users can make more informed decisions about their privacy settings on WhatsApp, tailoring their experience to suit their personal needs and preferences.

9. Risks and Considerations of Hiding Online Status

Although hiding your online status on WhatsApp has many benefits, there are some risks and considerations to keep in mind:

1.Limitations of Reciprocal Features

When you hide your online status, you will also not be able to see the online status of your contacts. This can be an issue if you rely on this information for effective communication.

2.Potential Misunderstandings

Some people may misinterpret your absence of an online status as a sign that you are avoiding them or not interested in communicating.

3.Delayed Responses in Emergency Situations

In emergencies, your contacts may not be able to tell if you are available for important and urgent communication.

4.Impact on Professional Relationships

In a work context, hiding your online status can be seen as a lack of availability or responsiveness, which may negatively impact professional perceptions.

5.Limitations in Real-Time Coordination

For projects or activities that require real-time coordination, the inability to see online status can hinder communication efficiency.

6. The Potential Increase in the Use of Alternative Communication Methods

People who cannot see your online status may turn to other, more invasive communication methods, such as phone calls or direct text messages.

7.Dependency on Privacy Features

Relying too much on privacy features can make you less responsive in general, which may affect your personal and professional relationships.

It is important to balance the need for privacy with the need to stay connected and responsive. Carefully consider your situation and use these privacy settings wisely to maximize benefits while minimizing potential negative impacts.

10. Alternatives for Maintaining Privacy on WhatsApp

WhatsApp Application (credit: pexels.com)

In addition to hiding your online status, there are several other alternatives you can use to maintain privacy on WhatsApp:

1.Use the Chat Archive Feature

Archive conversations that you do not want to see on the main screen. This helps reduce distractions without having to block or delete contacts.

2.Set Notifications per Contact

WhatsApp allows you to set notifications individually for each contact. You can disable notifications for specific contacts without having to turn off notifications altogether.

3.Use the Disappearing Messages Feature

Enable the disappearing messages feature for specific conversations. Messages will automatically delete after a certain period, enhancing the privacy of your conversations.

4. Limit Profile Information

Set who can see your profile photo, info, and status. You can restrict it to only contacts or even specific contact groups.

5.Use the Block Feature Wisely

If there are contacts who continue to invade your privacy, don't hesitate to use the block feature. This will prevent them from contacting you or seeing your status updates.

6.Take Advantage of Broadcast Groups

For one-way communication with many people, use the broadcast group feature instead of group chat. This allows you to send messages to many people without them being able to see each other's replies.

7.Use WhatsApp Business for Separation

If you use WhatsApp for business and personal matters, consider using WhatsApp Business for professional affairs. This helps separate personal and business communication.

8.Enable Two-Step Verification

While not directly related to online privacy, enabling two-step verification will enhance your account's overall security.

By combining some or all of these methods, you can create a more comprehensive layer of privacy on WhatsApp, allowing you to control how and when you interact with your contacts.

11. Conclusion

Hiding the "last seen" status and online status on WhatsApp is an important step in maintaining digital privacy. By following the guidelines outlined, users can control the visibility of their activities on this platform. It is important to remember that while these features enhance privacy, they can also affect social and professional interactions. Therefore, the use of these features should be tailored to the needs and situations of each individual.

Additionally, it is important to always update your WhatsApp application to get the latest security and privacy features. By combining various methods that have been discussed, users can create a safer and more comfortable WhatsApp experience, in line with their privacy preferences.

Finally, remember that digital privacy is a personal responsibility. Always periodically evaluate your privacy settings and adjust them according to your changing needs. With a wise and balanced approach, you can enjoy the benefits of digital communication while still maintaining your privacy.

(kpl/dhm)