There is a possibility to view a message on WhatsApp without “seeing” it, that is, without leaving a read confirmation. There is an option in the settings of the instant messaging application.
It's a double blue check mark that you probably know if you use WhatsApp. It appears when the instant messenger determines that your contact has read your message. It also works the other way: you automatically send these two blue check marks when you've read the last message from your correspondent.
This read receipt may be hidden. There is an option in your privacy settings to hide this online activity. Once you disable it, the double blue check mark will no longer appear in your WhatsApp chats. It works on a reciprocal principle: if you hide what you have, you will no longer see what others have.
How to read a WhatsApp message without saying you saw it?
There is a way to hide the “seen” mark from your WhatsApp messages.
- Launch the WhatsApp application on your phone;
- Click on the vertical ellipsis, top right;
- Go to “Settings” in the pop-up menu;
- Select the “Confidentiality” line;
- Uncheck “Read receipts”.
WhatsApp reminds us that everyone is equal: if you show your read receipt in an instant message, you will see the read receipt of others. The only exception: group discussions, i.e. with three or more people. Here, read receipts are always sent, regardless of individual settings.
What do check marks mean on WhatsApp?
A double blue check mark indicates that the message has been delivered and read by your interlocutor. A double gray check mark indicates that the message has been successfully sent to your correspondent's station (he has not read it, or he is also hiding his read confirmation). Finally, when a single gray check mark appears, it means that the message has been sent.
Simple tip for use
This is the simplest solution to read messages “secretly” without activating the double blue check mark. Obviously, if you reply to a message, you will implicitly indicate that you have read the latest exchanges in the conversation – and that is obvious. It will also indicate that your phone is set to hide “seen” messages.
For other chat apps, there are specific ways to read messages discreetly. Depending on the situation, this may require iOS or Android, doing special things, or even going offline. This was the case with Messenger, which has since introduced a simpler option.
It is possible to stick to the very basic usage of WhatsApp, but it is also possible to get more out of the app. In fact, the instant messenger offers a wide range of features and settings to beautify your messages, send a fleeting image, share a high-resolution file, or even conduct a poll.
