Many WhatsApp users want to know how to disable WhatsApp online, one of the app’s features that hides from their contacts when the user is logged in to the app.
Sometimes it may be desirable to disable WhatsApp online, for privacy or productivity reasons or for any other personal or professional reason.
In this text, we will show you how to disable Whatsapp online in two ways: using the application settings and using airplane mode. Both methods will correspond to the same objective.
When did this functionality appear and what is it for?
The ability to hide online on WhatsApp appeared in an update released in 2012. Before that, whenever a user opened the application, their status was visible to their contacts, showing that they were online.
With the introduction of this functionality, users now have the option to hide their online status, providing more privacy and control over their availability.
This feature is widely used for several reasons. One of the main ones is the need to disconnect and have moments of tranquility without being constantly approached by messages.
Other reasons that make learning how to disable WhatsApp online worth it
By hiding their online status, users can use WhatsApp without others seeing that they are active, avoiding unwanted interruptions.
Additionally, the hide online feature is useful for avoiding charges or pressure to respond immediately to messages, allowing users to manage their response time at their convenience.
Another reason to use this functionality is privacy. People don’t always want others to know when they are using WhatsApp, whether for personal or professional reasons.
By hiding online, you can maintain greater discretion and control over the exposure of your activity on the application.
However, it is important to highlight that WhatsApp’s online hiding feature can generate misguided expectations and interpretations on the part of contacts, as they may think that the user is not available when in fact they are present on the application.
Therefore, you must use this functionality responsibly and clearly communicate your communication preferences to avoid misunderstandings.
How to disable Whatsapp online using the app settings
The easiest way to disable WhatsApp online is using the app’s settings. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open WhatsApp on your phone.
- Tap the three dots in the top right corner of the screen.
- Select “Settings”.
- Tap “Privacy”.
- Under “Last seen and online”, select “Nobody”.
After following these steps, your contacts will no longer be able to see when you are online on WhatsApp.
By selecting the “Nobody” option, you will be deactivating WhatsApp online for all your contacts. This means they won’t be able to see when you’re logged into the app, nor when you’ve viewed your messages.
How to disable Whatsapp online for only some contacts?
If you want to disable WhatsApp online for only some contacts, you can create a list of contacts with limited permissions and select that list under “Who can see when I’m online”.
To create a list of contacts with limited permission, follow these steps:
- Open WhatsApp on your phone.
- Tap the three dots in the top right corner of the screen.
- Select “Settings”.
- Tap “Privacy”.
- “Last seen and online”, select “My contacts except”.
- To add a contact to the list, tap the little ball next to the contact and select the desired contact.
- To remove a contact from the list, tap the desired contact and remove the one marked, then just check below.
You can see that the process of how to disable WhatsApp online using the app’s own resources is simple and easy, right?
How to disable Whatsapp online using airplane mode?
Another way to disable WhatsApp online is by using airplane mode. Airplane mode disables all of your phone’s network connections, including Wi-Fi and the mobile data network.
To disable WhatsApp online using airplane mode, follow these steps:
- Activate airplane mode on your cell phone.
- Open WhatsApp.
- Read the messages and, if you want, reply to them.
- Turn off airplane mode.
After following these steps, your contacts will no longer be able to see when you are online on WhatsApp, even if you open the app.
By activating airplane mode, you will be deactivating WhatsApp online for all your contacts. This means they won’t be able to see when you’re logged into the app, nor when you’ve viewed your messages.
The process of how to disable Whatsapp online with airplane mode is also super simple, don’t you agree?
Conclusion
In a digital world where privacy is valued, it is essential to understand and control the information we share online, including on WhatsApp. In this sense, knowing how to disable WhatsApp online is very useful.
WhatsApp’s privacy settings offer a range of options for managing our online status and visibility of our activities on the platform.
Disabling WhatsApp online is a powerful tool that can be used to protect privacy and productivity.
By hiding your online status, you can prevent your contacts from knowing when you are logged into the app, which can be useful for:
- Take a break from messages;
- Focus on other activities;
- Prevent others from knowing when you are online, even if you are using WhatsApp.
FAQs on how to disable WhatsApp online
- Can I disable online status for certain contacts only?
Yes, you can customize your privacy settings on WhatsApp.
When you access the privacy settings, you can choose whether you want all contacts to see your online status, just certain specific contacts, or even completely hide it from everyone.
- Does turning off online status also hide “last seen” status?
Yes, when you disable the online status, the “last seen” status will also be hidden for the selected contacts.
Both features are privacy-related and can be managed in WhatsApp’s privacy settings.
- If I turn off online status, will I still be able to see when my contacts are online?
No, by turning off your own online status you will also lose the ability to see when your contacts are online.
This is a mutual privacy exchange, where you gain privacy but also lose visibility into others’ online status.
