How to Turn Off Last Seen in WhatsApp – Honestly, have you ever felt like people are constantly monitoring your WhatsApp activity? Personally, I used to ignore it, but then, every time I went online, someone would ask why I didn’t reply sooner. Clearly, that became annoying, so I decided to turn off Last Seen on WhatsApp immediately!
Why I Had to Hide My Last Seen
At first, everything seemed fine, but then, the pressure started building up. Every time I opened WhatsApp, my boss, friends, and family expected an instant reply. Obviously, I needed a way out, so I searched for a solution. Luckily, I found out that hiding Last Seen on WhatsApp was the best option. Without wasting time, I went straight to my settings and made the change!
Steps to Turn Off Last Seen on WhatsApp
Android
- First, open WhatsApp immediately.
- Next, tap the three-dot menu (⋮) on the top-right.
- Then, select Settings and go to Privacy.
- After that, tap Last Seen & Online.
- Now, choose your preferred option:
- Everyone: Allows everyone to see your last seen.
- My Contacts: Restricts it to saved contacts.
- My Contacts Except…: Excludes specific people.
- Nobody: Hides it from everyone.
- Finally, modify Who Can See When I’m Online if needed.
iPhone
- First, open WhatsApp as usual.
- Then, go to Settings in the bottom-right corner.
- Next, tap Privacy, followed by Last Seen & Online.
- Now, select the desired visibility setting.
- Lastly, adjust Who Can See When I’m Online for extra privacy.
WhatsApp Web/Desktop
- First, open WhatsApp Web instantly.
- Then, click the three-dot menu (⋮) on the top-left.
- Next, go to Settings and open Privacy.
- After that, tap Last Seen & Online.
- Finally, modify the settings according to your preference.
My Experience After Hiding Last Seen
Surprisingly, life became so much better! Clearly, I no longer had to explain why I ignored messages. Honestly, it felt amazing to scroll through chats without pressure. However, one downside existed. Since I hid my Last Seen, I couldn’t check others’ Last Seen either. Although it felt like a small price to pay, sometimes, I still wished I could see when certain people were last online.
Also Read: How to Pin a Window on Top Windows 11 (Step by Step)
Extra Privacy Settings You Should Try
Turn Off Read Receipts (Blue Ticks)
- Simply go to Settings > Privacy > Turn off Read Receipts.
- Clearly, others won’t see if you read their messages, but you won’t see theirs either.
Hide Online Status
- Just set “Who Can See When I’m Online” to Same as Last Seen.
- Now, people can’t track your activity easily.
Control Profile Photo & About Info
- Modify Settings > Privacy > Profile Photo & About.
- Then, limit visibility to selected people.
Use Vanishing Messages
- Open chat settings and enable Vanishing Messages.
- Automatically, messages will be removed after a set period.
FAQs: How to Turn Off Last Seen in WhatsApp
Can I hide my Last Seen from specific people?
Absolutely! Just select My Contacts Except… and exclude anyone you want.
If I turn off Last Seen, can I still see others’ Last Seen?
Unfortunately, no. As soon as you hide yours, others’ Last Seen also gets hidden.
Does this setting affect WhatsApp Groups?
Not at all! Groups don’t show Last Seen, only individual chats.
Will my online status still be visible?
Yes, unless you change Who Can See When I’m Online to Same as Last Seen.
Can third-party apps track my Last Seen?
Technically, some claim to do so, but WhatsApp’s privacy updates make them unreliable. Most of them violate privacy policies, so using them isn’t recommended.
