WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps with over 2 billion users worldwide. One of the defining features of WhatsApp is the ability to see when someone was last online and if they are currently online. However, this can be inconvenient if you want to send a message without signalling to the recipient that you are online.
There are a few tricks that allow you to send WhatsApp messages without appearing online. This article will explain the different methods you can use to send WhatsApp messages without showing your online status.
Disable Read Receipts
The simplest way to send a WhatsApp message without appearing online is to disable read receipts. Read receipts show when someone has read your message. Disabling this function prevents the recipient from seeing when you were last online.
To disable read receipts on WhatsApp:
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings.
- Tap on Account > Privacy.
- Toggle off Read Receipts.
With read receipts disabled, you can open WhatsApp to send a message and the recipient won’t see your online status. However, this method only hides your “last seen” status, the recipient can still see if you’re currently online.
Enable Airplane Mode
Using airplane mode is an easy way to hide your online status while sending WhatsApp messages. When airplane mode is enabled, your internet connection is disabled. You can still use WhatsApp to send messages, but your online status won’t update.
To use airplane mode to send WhatsApp messages:
- Enable Airplane Mode on your phone.
- Open WhatsApp and type out your message.
- Tap send. The message will queue but not deliver.
- Disable Airplane Mode to reconnect to the internet and deliver the message.
Because your internet was disabled while composing the message, WhatsApp doesn’t register you as being online. This tricks WhatsApp into thinking you sent the message while offline.
Use WhatsApp Web
The WhatsApp web client allows you to access your WhatsApp messages through your desktop browser. Any messages you send via WhatsApp web will not show your online status. You can compose and queue messages using WhatsApp web, then disable your internet to prevent your mobile WhatsApp status updating when the messages deliver.
To use WhatsApp web to hide your online status:
- Open web.whatsapp.com in your desktop browser.
- Scan the QR code to link your WhatsApp account.
- Type out your message on WhatsApp Web.
- Disable internet on your phone to hide your online status.
- Enable internet to deliver the message.
Use Airplane Mode with WhatsApp Web
You can combine airplane mode on your phone with WhatsApp web to ensure your online status doesn’t update. This method gives you more time to type out a long message on your desktop before delivering it.
To hide your status using airplane mode and WhatsApp web:
- Enable Airplane Mode on your phone.
- Open WhatsApp Web in your browser.
- Type and queue your message in WhatsApp Web.
- When ready, disable Airplane Mode to deliver the message.
Since your phone has no internet access while composing the message on desktop, your online status will not update when the message sends.
Use Unsent Messages
WhatsApp has an “unsend message” feature that allows you to recall messages. You can use this feature to prevent your status showing as online when sending a message.
To try this method:
- In WhatsApp, type out your message but don’t send it.
- Press and hold on the message bubble.
- Tap “Unsend message.”
- Enable Airplane Mode then tap unsend to recall the message.
- Disable Airplane Mode. The message will send but display as “unsent.”
Your recipient will still receive the message. However, because it shows as unsent, your online status does not update.
Use the Notification Preview
On Android devices, you can use the notification preview to send a WhatsApp message without being online. When you receive a WhatsApp notification, swipe down to expand it. From the preview window you can directly reply without opening WhatsApp.
To use notification previews:
- Wait for a WhatsApp notification.
- Swipe down to expand the notification.
- Type your reply message in the preview window.
- Tap send.
As you didn’t view the chat within the WhatsApp app, your online status will not update.
Enable Invisible Mode
Invisible mode is an experimental WhatsApp feature that hides your online status from everyone. When enabled, you can open WhatsApp to send messages without your contacts seeing when you’re online.
To enable invisible mode:
- Open WhatsApp Settings > Account > Privacy.
- Tap on “Last Seen and Online.”
- Select “Nobody.”
With invisible mode on, you can freely send WhatsApp messages without your online status updating. However, you also won’t be able to see the online status of any of your contacts.
Use WhatsApp Business
WhatsApp Business is designed for companies to communicate with customers. When using WhatsApp Business, your contacts will not see your last seen or online status.
To use WhatsApp Business:
- Install WhatsApp Business from the Play Store or App Store.
- Set up your Business profile.
- Your contacts will no longer see your personal WhatsApp status.
The limitation of this method is that you will need to message your contacts from a different WhatsApp number. But all messages will appear without showing your online status.
Block Contacts
You can block contacts in WhatsApp to prevent them seeing your online status or last seen time. When you block someone, your status will always show as offline to them.
To block contacts in WhatsApp:
- Open your chat with the contact.
- Tap on the contact name at the top.
- Select Block Contact.
Now when you message a blocked contact, your online status and last seen will never update for them. You can send messages without appearing online.
Conclusion
Although WhatsApp shows when users are last online and currently online, there are many creative workarounds. By disabling read receipts, using airplane mode, WhatsApp Web, notification previews and other methods you can send WhatsApp messages without appearing online.
However, it’s important to use these ethically. Repeatedly messaging someone while hiding your online status could come across as sneaky behavior. As with any messaging platform, ensure you continue to communicate honestly with your WhatsApp contacts.
FAQs
Does turning off last seen work to hide your online status?
Simply turning off last seen will not hide your online status. It only prevents contacts seeing your last online time. They can still see if you’re currently online when messaging them.
Can I read WhatsApp messages without being seen online?
Unfortunately, as soon as you open WhatsApp, the app registers you as online to your contacts. There is no way to read messages in the app without showing as online.
Will disabling internet stop WhatsApp showing online status?
Yes, any method that disables internet access on your device will prevent WhatsApp updating your online status. Airplane mode is the easiest way to disable internet while using WhatsApp.
Can I get banned for hiding my WhatsApp online status?
No, there are no rules against using tricks and workarounds to hide your WhatsApp online status. All the methods explained in this article are acceptable to use without risk of being banned.
Will my contacts see I’m using WhatsApp web?
No, using WhatsApp Web does not notify your contacts or update your online status in any way. It’s a separate instance of your WhatsApp, so completely invisible to others.
Summary of Ways to Send WhatsApp Message Without Appearing Online
- Disable Read Receipts
- Enable Airplane Mode
- Use WhatsApp Web
- Combine Airplane and WhatsApp Web
- Unsend Message
- Use Notification Preview
- Enable Invisible Mode
- Use WhatsApp Business
- Block Contacts
Key Takeaways
- Disable read receipts to hide “last seen” status, but not current online status.
- Airplane mode disables internet so WhatsApp can’t update status.
- WhatsApp Web allows sending messages outside the app.
- Notification previews and unsending let you message without opening WhatsApp.
- Invisible mode hides your status from all contacts.