The number that appears on WhatsApp chats indicates the number of unread messages in that chat. It shows up next to the contact’s name or group name, and tells you how many new messages have arrived that you haven’t read yet.
Why does WhatsApp show a number on chats?
WhatsApp adds a numbered badge on chats to provide a quick visual indication of which chats have new unread messages. This allows you to easily identify at a glance which of your many WhatsApp chats need attention and have new messages waiting to be read.
The number serves as a notifier that there are new messages in that chat thread since the last time you opened it. It enables you to prioritize which chats to open first if you have multiple conversations with unread messages.
How does the WhatsApp unread message number work?
The WhatsApp chat counter functions in the following way:
- When you first open WhatsApp, the numbers show the total count of all unread messages in each chat.
- Once you enter a chat, the number resets to zero because you’ve now seen all the new messages.
- As long as you remain on the chat screen, the number stays at zero.
- If new messages arrive while viewing the chat, they will not show as unread.
- When you return to the main chats list, the number will reappear if more messages were received in your absence.
- The counter increments with each new unread message – the number reflects the total unread messages.
- The number only disappears when you’ve read all the messages in the thread.
In summary, the WhatsApp counter shows the amount of messages received since you last viewed that particular chat thread. It serves as an indicator to promptly read urgent or priority conversations.
What if the chat has no number?
If there is no number next to a WhatsApp chat, it simply means there are no unread messages in that conversation thread. You’re completely caught up with that contact or group chat.
Possible reasons for no number on a chat include:
- You’ve read all current messages in the chat
- You have muted notifications for that chat
- The contact has not sent you any new messages
- It’s a new chat with no previous messages
So if you see a blank chat with no numbering, it just means that particular conversation has no outstanding, unread messages waiting for you to catch up on.
What does the “9+” on WhatsApp mean?
If you see “9+” on a WhatsApp chat instead of a number, it signifies there are at least 9 or more unread messages in that thread. The “+” indicates you have more than 9 unread messages.
WhatsApp caps the counter at 9+ once a chat has reached 9 or more unread messages. This avoids overly large numbers from appearing on the interface. So 9+ could mean you have 10 unread messages, 25 or even 100+ new messages arrived in that chat.
The 9+ notation persists until you enter the chat and read through the new messages. Once you’ve caught up, the counter will reset from 9+ back to 0.
Why does WhatsApp limit the number to 9+?
There are a few reasons why WhatsApp limits the unread message count display to 9+:
- To minimize visual clutter and keep the interface clean.
- Large numbers take up more space and aren’t necessary to convey a lot of unreads.
- The exact amount doesn’t matter as much as signaling you need to read the chat.
- Counts higher than 9 might look concerning or overwhelming at a glance.
The 9+ threshold provides a good balance to inform you of pending messages while keeping the interface tidy and visually appealing.
How do you remove the number from a chat?
There are a couple ways to clear the unread message number from a WhatsApp chat:
- Open the chat and manually read through all new messages.
- Long press the chat and select “Mark as read”.
- Mute notifications for the chat.
- Turn off read receipts for the contact.
- Clear or delete the chat history.
Once you’ve caught up on the messages or marked them read, the counter will reset to 0 to indicate you have no outstanding unreads.
Can you hide the unread number preview?
Currently there is no setting in WhatsApp to hide or disable the unread message counter. The numbering is an integral part of the chat list interface.
A couple workarounds if you don’t want to see the counter include:
- Muting the chat – this removes the unread indicator.
- Disabling read receipts – prevents the other person knowing if you’ve read their messages.
- Turning off notifications – incoming messages won’t trigger a counter.
But there is no way to otherwise remove the unread message numbering within WhatsApp.
Troubleshooting WhatsApp unread message issues
If you’re having problems with the unread message counter, here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Restart your phone and WhatsApp app
- Check your notifications settings
- Make sure you have good internet connection
- Force close and clear cache of the WhatsApp app
- Update to the latest version of WhatsApp
- Remove and reinstall WhatsApp
- Try a different device to see if issue persists
- Report bugs to WhatsApp directly
This can help resolve any software glitches that may cause the counter to freeze, display incorrectly or fail to reset.
Conclusion
The unread message number on WhatsApp chats is a handy visual indicator that allows you to quickly identify which conversations have new messages waiting for you. It shows the amount of unreads in a chat and helps you manage multiple conversations.
While you can mute chats and turn off read receipts, there’s no native option to remove the counter. It’s an integral part of WhatsApp’s interface. But being able to identify priority chats with a quick glance is a useful benefit of this feature.
Knowing what the numbers signify can help you use WhatsApp more efficiently. Look for chats marked with a number if you want to view new messages, or focus on those with no numbering if you want to catch up on older conversations instead.
| WhatsApp Unread Badge Scenarios | Meaning |
|---|---|
| No number on a chat | No unread messages |
| Number such as “5” on chat | Indicates 5 unread messages |
| “9+” on chat | At least 9 unread messages |
With an understanding of how WhatsApp’s unread message numbering works, you can better navigate your various chat conversations and know which ones require your attention right away based on the counters displayed.
Some key takeaways include:
- The number reflects the amount of unread messages in a chat
- It resets once you view the chat
- No number means no outstanding unreads
- 9+ indicates at least 9 unread messages
- Currently you can’t hide the counter from WhatsApp
So next time you see a number next to a chat name, you’ll know it’s time to open that conversation and catch up on the messages you’ve missed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the number keep increasing?
The unread message number increments with each new message received in a chat while you are outside of it. So if more messages continue to arrive, the counter will keep going up to reflect the total unreads.
Does 9+ always mean more than 9 messages?
Yes, 9+ specifically indicates there are at least 9 or more unread messages, but there could be many more that continue to increase the count.
Do group chats also show unread counts?
Yes, the same unread message counter appears on group chats. It functions the same way to indicate new messages since you last viewed the group conversation.
Can I mute the chat instead of seeing the number?
Yes, muting a WhatsApp chat will remove the unread message indicator. New messages will still arrive but will not be numbered.
What happens if I swipe the chat away?
Swiping to archive a chat has no effect on the unread counter. Archived chats will still display the number of unreads when you browse your archived threads.
The only way to reset the counter is to open the chat and read the messages.
How many chats can show unread numbers?
Every individual and group chat in your WhatsApp contacts list will show an unread count if there are new messages since you last read the thread. There is no limit.
Can I mute the number notifications?
There is no way to mute just the unread counters. But you can mute the notifications for that chat which will prevent increasing the number.
Will unread messages expire?
No, WhatsApp unread messages will not expire or disappear. The unread counter will continue to show indefinitely until you actually view the messages.
Can I tell who sent the unread messages?
Unfortunately there is currently no way to see who or which participants sent new messages contributing to the unread counter. You need to open the chat to view the messages.
Conclusion
In summary, the unread message number on WhatsApp chats is an at-a-glance indicator of pending messages in a conversation. It increments with each new unread and resets once you’re caught up. While you can’t remove it, muting chats can hide the counter if needed. Understanding what the WhatsApp numbers signify allows you to better manage your conversations.