How to Hide Last Seen on WhatsApp?

TL;DR To hide your "Last Seen" status on WhatsApp, navigate to Settings > Account > Privacy > Last Seen and select "Nobody" or customize it according to your preferences [2:1].

Understanding Last Seen and Online Status

WhatsApp's "Last Seen" feature indicates the last time a user was active on the app. It is different from the "Online" status, which shows when a user is currently using the app. While you can hide your "Last Seen," the "Online" status cannot be hidden with the standard app settings [1:1]. Some users have suggested using modified versions of WhatsApp to hide the online status, but these come with risks [1:2].

Privacy Settings for Last Seen

WhatsApp offers four privacy settings for "Last Seen": Everyone, My Contacts, My Contacts Except, and Nobody [5:2]. If you want to hide your "Last Seen" from everyone, select "Nobody." If you prefer more customized privacy, you can choose to share your "Last Seen" with specific contacts only.

Reasons for Hiding Last Seen

Many users choose to hide their "Last Seen" for privacy reasons. Some feel uncomfortable with the obligation to respond immediately after reading messages [3:2], while others want to avoid comments on their activity times [3:4]. Hiding "Last Seen" allows users to maintain privacy without revealing their activity patterns.

Troubleshooting Visibility Issues

If you notice that someone's "Last Seen" has disappeared, several possibilities exist: they may have changed their privacy settings, blocked you, or switched phones [4:5][4:7]. If blocked, you would not see their profile picture either [4:3]. It's also possible that their privacy setting allows "Last Seen" visibility only to certain contacts [4:6].

By adjusting your privacy settings, you can control who sees your "Last Seen" status, ensuring greater privacy and comfort in your messaging experience.

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Source Threads

POST SUMMARY • [1]

Summarize

HIDING “LAST SEEN” NOT WORKING.

Posted by rko2817 · in r/whatsapp · 3 years ago

1 upvotes on reddit

2 replies

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ORIGINAL POST

Have been trying for days to hide “Last Seen” though “Online” is still visible under my name. I have done everything but still no luck.

Any ideas as to why?

2 replies

lgoki · 3 years ago

to hide online status you have to use a whatsapp mod.

1 upvotes on reddit

AncestralSpirit · 3 years ago

You cannot hide the online status. The last seen is a different thing. It hides when you last were online. But as soon as you launch the app, it shows you online. The fucked up thing? It shows it to everyone who has your number. They don’t even have to be in your contacts. It’s one thing I hate about WhatsApp. No other messenger shows you are online right this second.

P.S. if you are on Android you can download questionable “cracked” WhatsApp clients and they do indeed hide your online status as well as ability to read messages without having the 2 blue checkmarks but you are giving them basically access to your chats.

2 upvotes on reddit

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r/whatsapp • [2]

Summarize

Remove last seen time from whatsapp?

Posted by su5577 · in r/whatsapp · 5 years ago

I noticed WhatsApp have this feature now when you can tell someone was last seen on using app and time.

Is there way to turn this feature off? I don’t want my last seen time showing up for others?

2 upvotes on reddit

1 replies

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1 replies

Fscat · 5 years ago

Settings => Account => privacy =>Last seen

2 upvotes on reddit

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r/AskReddit • [3]

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Why have you chosen to hide your “Last seen” and “read receipts” on WhatsApp?

Posted by LemonCurdJ · in r/AskReddit · 3 years ago

1 upvotes on reddit

5 replies

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5 replies

Ki2525_ · 3 years ago

Honestly just like my privacy. I don’t like to feel like I’m obligated to reply anyone or like I’m a bad person for not answering someone at the time they want. Really hoping WhatsApp has an option to hide the online bar real soon.

1 upvotes on reddit

LemonCurdJ · OP · 3 years ago

Yeah I’m the same – I like my privacy and feel like I don’t need anyone to know I have read their message and I have to immediately reply.

Although I’ve just changed my privacy settings and I do feel more comfortable and open that I have read receipts on.

Don’t want my last seen on though lol.

2 upvotes on reddit

Avyeon · 3 years ago

I have last seen hidden because my mom would comment on how late Id be up at night when I still lived with her. Just never turned it off when I moved out.

2 upvotes on reddit

EvieLembo · 3 years ago

I don't really understand your question, can you ask it differently?

1 upvotes on reddit

LemonCurdJ · OP · 3 years ago

I can’t edit my post but here is what would have been the edit:

Edit: On WhatsApp, you have the option to hide when you were last seen from your contacts. For example, above your name and others, it would have “Last seen at 15:38.”

The read receipts are the blue ticks WhatsApp shows you and others that the message has been sent and read. This can be turned off and on whenever you choose.

Some people actively choose to turn these features off, which means, contacts won’t know when you were last active on WhatsApp and won’t know whether you have read their message.

For whom my question applies to, why did you decide to turn off Last Seen and Read Receipts?

1 upvotes on reddit

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r/whatsapp • [4]

Summarize

Does WhatsApp last seen disappear when the person hasn’t been online for weeks ?

Posted by Zealousideal-Gate454 · in r/whatsapp · 2 years ago

Just noticed today someones last seen didn’t show up anymore. Does this mean the person blocked me, changed their privacy or cancelled the number ? Or does WhatsApp last seen not show anymore when the person hasn’t been online ? Or the person got a new phone ? The person still shows up on my WhatsApp contacts though

6 upvotes on reddit

8 replies

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8 replies

PrettyDingo5358 · 1 year ago

I can not see on of my contact last seen in what’s app.. but I see him typing in my window?

1 upvotes on reddit

[deleted] · 1 year ago

If they blocked you, you wouldn't be able to see their profile picture either.

I can't see someone's last seen on my WhatsApp anymore but can on my work phone which I find is weird and confusing

1 upvotes on reddit

PrettyDingo5358 · 1 year ago

If some one has privacy setting to not show his last see or online. Is there a way I can see with out using paid app? Need help…

1 upvotes on reddit

firoz554 · 2 years ago

Last seen is shown for a very long time, I have people offline for months and it shows the last seen.

blocked me, changed their privacy

this may be the case, or maybe you have your last seen turned off.

2 upvotes on reddit

Zealousideal-Gate454 · OP · 2 years ago

I can still see the about me “hey there I’m using WhatsApp”. Won’t that disappear too? If blocked

1 upvotes on reddit

firoz554 · 2 years ago

It depends, if they have their about set to everyone then it's possible that anyone having their number can see it. But people normally set their last seen to contacts only or limited people.

If you are not on their contact list then it's also possible that you won't see their data.

1 upvotes on reddit

Zealousideal-Gate454 · OP · 2 years ago

What if they got a new phone and I’m not on their contacts anymore ?

1 upvotes on reddit

Successful_Win_4160 · 1 year ago

I’m

1 upvotes on reddit

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r/whatsapp • [5]

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Can you see someone’s last seen only if they put you in their phone contacts or spoken to you before either on WhatsApp or text?

Posted by Zealousideal-Gate454 · in r/whatsapp · 2 years ago

There’s a person who I know who doesn’t know I have their number and when I checked the last seen. It shows…but I thought WhatsApp changed the last seen to people who are only in your contacts or spoken to before

1 upvotes on reddit

4 replies

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4 replies

naijab0y · 2 years ago

No. Last Seen has 4 privacy settings. Everyone, My Contacts, My Contacts Except and Nobody.

If they don't have your number then the person's privacy is set to Everybody. Otherwise, that person must have your number saved in their contacts for you to see their last Seen time.

1 upvotes on reddit

Zealousideal-Gate454 · OP · 2 years ago

Yeah that persons last seen doesn’t show up in my fake number WhatsApp nor does anybody else’s

1 upvotes on reddit

naijab0y · 2 years ago

Exactly. They have your number. The settings are clear so not sure why you guys were confused and making other assumptions.

Always read the instructions 🙂.

1 upvotes on reddit

ttsoldier · 2 years ago

They can have their last seen set to “everyone” so it doesn’t matter if they have you as a contact

2 upvotes on reddit

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r/whatsapp • [6]

Summarize

Can't See Last Seen or Online Status for the Last 7 Days

Posted by False_Resource306 · in r/whatsapp · 6 months ago

Hey everyone,

I’ve been facing a weird issue with WhatsApp for the past week. I’m unable to see the "Last Seen" or "Online" status of anyone on my contacts list. It's been going on for about 7 days now, and I’m not sure what’s causing it.

I’ve tried:

Restarting the app Updating WhatsApp to the latest version Restarting my phone Checking my privacy settings to make sure I haven’t accidentally changed anything The weird part is that other people can still see my "Last Seen" and "Online" status, but I can’t see theirs. Has anyone else experienced this issue? Any solutions or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

11 upvotes on reddit

11 replies

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11 replies

T1M3_TO_LOS3 · 6 months ago

Yup, I’ve been having this issue for 2 days now, and it’s driving me insane. WhatsApp support said this issue is outside of their scope 😂

https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsapp/s/4JTAzJD3Bn

1 upvotes on reddit

staringatthecactus · 6 months ago

Message from WhatsApp help

Hi,

Thanks for your message.

Thanks for your message. We know about this issue and are working to resolve it as soon as possible. We’ll share your report with the team working to fix it. Sorry for any inconvenience this caused.

If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us. We’ll be happy to help!

1 upvotes on reddit

LexiScout · 6 months ago

Got that same message several times too guess it’s a standard reply from Bots. Mine is also restored hopefully it’ll stay now

1 upvotes on reddit

T1M3_TO_LOS3 · 6 months ago

Thanks for sharing this, how did you reach out? I tried the WhatsApp chat and the web form and they were both useless

1 upvotes on reddit

LexiScout · 6 months ago

I went to Apple Store today guy checked everything said I had everything set up correctly on WhatsApp he even deleted app and reinstalled it and same as myself when I do it the Last Seen and Online came back for everyone but disappeared again after an hour even though I didn’t change anything. I have been emailing WhatsApp since yesterday I must have 30 replies from them just asking stupid questions and no solution I think their help centre are Bots and not humans

1 upvotes on reddit

False_Resource306 · OP · 6 months ago

We have to wait until they give update to fix it else we can do anything

1 upvotes on reddit

LexiScout · 6 months ago

They gave me impression they didn’t know if anyone else had the problem. None of my contacts have it and some are using iPhone’s too.

1 upvotes on reddit

T1M3_TO_LOS3 · 6 months ago

Looks like they fixed it! At least for me. I was online when it just appeared suddenly

1 upvotes on reddit

False_Resource306 · OP · 6 months ago

Yes they fixed it

1 upvotes on reddit

LexiScout · 6 months ago

Please let me know if anyone knows how to solve the problem thanks

1 upvotes on reddit

Internal-Local4944 · 1 month ago

Hello

1 upvotes on reddit

See 11 replies

r/technews • [7]

Summarize

WhatsApp will hide your ‘last seen’ status from strangers by default

Posted by Jedistro · in r/technews · 3 years ago

theverge.com

19 upvotes on reddit

4 replies

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4 replies

LincHayes · 3 years ago

I can't believe this was even a thing that stalkers could do for so long.

6 upvotes on reddit

Cacotopian_parole · 3 years ago

Me, too. Just reading this had me wondering

2 upvotes on reddit

Blackfist01 · 3 years ago

And corporations?

3 upvotes on reddit

deadfermata · 3 years ago

How about hiding “online”

Everytime you’re online anyone can see you’re online by opening a chat

2 upvotes on reddit

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r/whatsapp • [8]

Summarize

Has whatsapp changed the way their last seen settings work?

Posted by VitunHemuli · in r/whatsapp · 2 months ago

I've set my last seen to my contacts only, but when I open old chats with people not in my contacts anymore, I can still see their last seen. I remember it being so that last seen is reciprocal, so I wouldn't be able to see the last seen of those not in my contacts.

2 upvotes on reddit

1 replies

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1 replies

Emergency_Plate3956 · 2 months ago

No, the Last seen online setting is only for your side not their side.

2 upvotes on reddit

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r/ModernWarships • [9]

Summarize

Can I hide my "Last Seen" status?

Posted by Agreeable-Rip-9655 · in r/ModernWarships · 6 months ago

Hi guys, Is there any way to hide my Last Seen I noticed that my friends can see when I was last online (screenshot attached), but I’d rather keep that private. I looked through the settings but didn’t find anything. Anyone know if there’s a way to turn it off or at least appear offline?

Thanks!

i.redd.it

2 upvotes on reddit

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1 replies

ScoutIngenieur · 6 months ago

Part of being in a clan or accepting a friend's request is making that info available.

0 upvotes on reddit

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AI Answer

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How to hide last seen on WhatsApp

Here are the steps to hide your last seen on WhatsApp:

Open WhatsApp: Launch the app on your device.
Go to Settings:
- For iPhone: Tap on "Settings" in the bottom right corner.
- For Android: Tap on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Settings."
Account Settings: Tap on "Account."
Privacy Settings: Select "Privacy."
Last Seen: Tap on "Last Seen." You will see several options:
- Everyone: All WhatsApp users can see your last seen.
- My Contacts: Only your contacts can see your last seen.
- My Contacts Except...: You can choose specific contacts to exclude from seeing your last seen.
- Nobody: No one can see your last seen.
Select Your Preference: Choose "Nobody" to hide your last seen from everyone.

Important Considerations:

If you hide your last seen, you won't be able to see others' last seen statuses either.
Remember that this setting can be changed at any time, so you can adjust it based on your preferences.

Recommendation: If privacy is a concern, consider also reviewing other privacy settings, such as profile photo visibility and status updates, to enhance your overall privacy on WhatsApp.

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