Meta-owned instant messaging platform WhatsApp keeps updating the app with new features. The company has recently rolled out many features to enhance the user’s online privacy while using the app. WhatsApp users can use these features collectively to make their online presence more secure. Using these WhatsApp features together, you can go completely invisible to other users. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you use WhatsApp’s privacy features to make your online presence completely invisible while using the app.
1. Hiding ‘online’ presence on WhatsApp
Hiding WhatsApp account information
When using WhatsApp, your account displays your profile photo, about, status, last seen, and online status. The instant messaging app now allows you to hide your ‘online’ status in addition to hiding your profile photo, about, status, and last seen. You can allow your selected WhatsApp contacts to see your WhatsApp account information, or you can hide it from everyone. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Hiding ‘online’ presence on WhatsApp
Hiding WhatsApp account information
When using WhatsApp, your account displays your profile photo, about, status, last seen, and online status. The instant messaging app now allows you to hide your ‘online’ status in addition to hiding your profile photo, about, status, and last seen. You can allow your selected WhatsApp contacts to see your WhatsApp account information, or you can hide it from everyone. Here’s how you can do it:
- Open WhatsApp on your phone.
- Go to
Settings by tapping on the three-dot menu available at the top right corner. - Select the Privacy tab.
- Hide from everyone or select WhatsApp contacts: Last seen and online status, Profile photo, About and Status.
2. Managing WhatsApp messaging settings
Turning off read receipts
WhatsApp allows users to control and manage messaging settings within the app. You can turn off your WhatsApp read receipts, which will not let recipients know if you have read the messages or not. Additionally, you won’t be able to know if the sender has read your messages or not. This setting is helpful if you don’t want your WhatsApp contacts to be aware of when you’ve read a message and not replied on time. Here’s how to go about it:
- Launch WhatsApp on your smartphone.
- Tap on the three-dot menu option available at the top right corner.
- Then, select the Settings option from the drop-down menu.
- Go to the Privacy tab.
- Then, turn the toggle off for Read receipts.