Hot topics

WhatsApp Hack: Replying When Offline

Whats App AI 2
© Confidence / Adobe Stock

Read in other languages:

“You were online late yesterday!” I'm sure every WhatsApp user has heard this outburst before. If you need to respond quickly to a WhatsApp message but want to avoid such comments, that's not an issue at all. With this WhatsApp hack, you can send replies without being shown as online.

WhatsApp conveniently shows you whether a contact is currently online by default. This makes it a little easier for you to estimate whether you can expect a quick reply, or whether you should just make a call if it is time-sensitive. In some situations, however, the online display in this instant messanger can be really annoying.

For example, if you have already bid “good night” to your girlfriend or boyfriend, you certainly don't want to hear any questions about your nightly chat escapades the next morning. That's why we've pulled together a few tricks you can use to reply while remaining “undercover” on iOS and Android.

Unlike other tech sites, we do not link to third-party apps in this guide, as using them will result in the loss of end-to-end encryption. In addition to personal services, you will also have to share your friends' data with the apps. Instead, here are two extremely effective methods to send messages via WhatsApp's so-called “offline” mode.

1. Use the Reply function in your notifications

The easiest way to avoid being shown as “online” when sending a message on WhatsApp is to reply from your Android or iOS notifications shade. This requires notifications to be activated via the operating system settings:

  1. Open the Settings menu on your smartphone.
  2. Navigate to Apps and select WhatsApp.
  3. Select Notifications and activate all notifications.

By doing so, each time you receive a notification, you can click on the drop-down menu to reply to the message by using the “Reply” button. This will not launch WhatsApp itself, but you can still type and send a reply without affecting your online or “Last seen” status.

If you use a wearable device and also receive WhatsApp notifications there, there is still an alternative. However, not many fitness trackers support replying to incoming messages or only offer preset replies. You'll have better luck with a smartwatch.

2. Switch off mobile data or enable Flight Mode

This method is a little cumbersome, but it also works. All you have to do is disconnect your smartphone from its mobile data connection before composing and sending a message. The best way to do this is to use flight mode, which switches off both the Wi-Fi connection and mobile data.

As soon as your internet connection is restored after sending, WhatsApp will automatically send the message without updating your online status.

Activate flight mode before sending a WhatsApp message to remain offline.
Activate your smartphone's flight mode before sending. / © nextpit

In a nutshell, it works like this:

  1. Deactivate your mobile data and the Wi-Fi connection on your smartphone.
  2. Launch WhatsApp and open the contact you want to reply to.
  3. Compose a message and send it.
  4. Close WhatsApp.
  5. Enable both Wi-Fi and mobile data connections.
  6. WhatsApp will now send the message automatically.

Another tip: Disable the “Last seen” status

If you haven't seen it yet, you can easily disable the “Last seen” status. This will give you a little more privacy, and you won't be prosecuted if you've looked at your phone at night.

You can determine whether you want others to know when you've been last online in WhatsApp.
In the “Last seen” field, you can set whether others can see when you are online. / © nextpit
  1. Go to WhatsApp Settings via the three-dot menu (Android) or in the Settings of your iPhone.
  2. Go to Account.
  3. Select Privacy.
  4. You can completely deactivate the online status under Last seen & online.

However, deactivating the display does not prevent you from being shown as “Online” when using WhatsApp. You can change settings for this in the same menu.

Have you had success using this guide to be a little more anonymous on WhatsApp? If so, please let us know in the comments. Of course, you can also tell us about other methods for writing WhatsApp messages while “undercover.”

 The Best Portable Projectors in 2024

  The best choice The best value for money The best for less The all-rounder The challenger The best laser TV
Product
Image Xgimi Halo+ Product Image Dangbei Neo Product Image Technaxx TX-127 Product Image Samsung Freestyle Product Image Nebula Anker Capsule 3 Laser Product Image Formovie Theater Product Image
Offers

To find out more, browse through our comprehensive Portable Projectors buying guide.

nextpit receives a commission for purchases made via the marked links. This has no influence on the editorial content and there are no costs for you. You can find out more about how we make money on our transparency page.
Go to comment (2)
Jessica Murgia

Jessica Murgia
Editor

Italian editor and Android lover: with her, all the most intimate secrets of Android will be revealed! Chronic traveler, a lover of good wine and good food, Jessica is crazy for shopping and passionate about technology! What's never missing in her bag? A book, an MP3 player, her Android smartphone and an external battery!

To the author profile
Liked this article? Share now!
Recommended articles
Latest articles
Push notification Next article
2 comments
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing

  • 1
    Marrie Max Feb 25, 2022 Link to comment

    Haha. This trick is amazing and I am using this trick. Is there any possibility to track whatsapp messages free


  • 49
    storm May 27, 2021 Link to comment

    This still requires participating in the privacy abuse of Facebook. So I'll pass.

    Camila Rinaldi