WhatsApp is constantly testing new functions in order to adapt its messenger service to user requirements as best as possible. That’s why it will probably soon be possible to completely hide the fact that you are currently online.
There are many reasons to hide your online status. First and foremost, it gives you more time for answers. With WhatsApp, users already have various options for protecting their privacy. So you can issue the read receipt, hide the online status and much more. So far, however, a corresponding status was still displayed if you were currently using the messenger. According to WABetaInfo, that should change soon. According to the portal, the messenger is working on a function that can be used to completely hide whether you are currently online.
New WhatsApp feature completely hides online status
The feature isn’t about hiding when a person was last online – it’s been working for a long time. So far, however, you could always see when a person was online at the same moment. In the one-to-one chat with this person, the addition “Online” can then be seen under the name and profile picture. If the person in question is writing something in the chat or sending a voice message, this can also be seen under the name. This is where WhatsApp comes in.
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According to the screenshots published by WABetaInfo, it should be possible in the future to manually specify who is allowed to see the exact online status. The messenger is thus reacting to the community, which has long wanted such a function. In the settings it should then be possible to completely hide whether you are currently online or not. To do this, go to the settings, open the “Account” tab and go to the “Privacy” menu. Here you can already deactivate the status “Last online”. In the future, this should probably also be possible in general with the online status.
Leave groups secretly
In addition, WhatsApp seems to be working on a way to leave groups without all members noticing. The screenshot from WABetaInfo shows that a different message then appears instead of the usual notification. Instead of all group members being able to see that a member has left the group, this should only be reserved for the admin of the group in the future.
When are the features coming?
It is not yet known when it will be possible to completely hide the online status or leave groups secretly. Both functions are still in the testing phase. However, since both are long-requested features, WhatsApp could step on the accelerator accordingly. But it will certainly take a few more months. TECHBOOK will keep you up to date on this.
If you want to test the functions yourself by then, you can also register as a WhatsApp beta tester. You can read how this works in the news.