WhatsApp is a very popular messaging application that offers many features to facilitate communication between users. One of the most popular features is the read receipt, represented by the two blue checkmarks next to a sent message.
However, there are situations where you may wish to read a message without the sender knowing that you have read it. In this article, we will explore a simple and effective trick to achieve this.
The “Read” option in WhatsApp: how does it work?
First of all, it is essential to understand how read receipt works on WhatsApp. When you send a message to a contact, a gray check mark appears next to the text, indicating that the message has been sent.
Once the recipient receives the message, this checkmark changes to two gray checkmarks. Finally, when the recipient opens the conversation and reads the message, both checkmarks turn blue, confirming that the message has been read.
This feature can be useful to know if your interlocutor has read your messages, but it can also create delicate situations, especially if you do not want to answer immediately or if you prefer to avoid certain conversations. Fortunately, there is a simple method to work around this problem.
Disable Read Receipt: A Partial Solution
The first option you have to read messages without being seen is to disable read receipt in the application settings. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open WhatsApp and go to “Settings”.
- Click on “Account”, then on “Privacy”.
- Uncheck the “Read receipts” box.
Attention : by disabling this option, you will also no longer be able to see if your own messages have been read by your contacts. Also, this method does not work for group chats, where read receipts remain active even if you have disabled this option.
Using the notifications widget: an effective alternative
For those who want to keep the read receipt functionality while being able to read certain messages incognito, there is a quick and easy trick: use the notifications widget on your smartphone.
Indeed, messages received on WhatsApp also appear in your phone’s notifications, and you can consult them without being considered as having read the message in the application.
Configure the notifications widget
To implement this solution, you must first add the WhatsApp notifications widget to your home screen. The procedure varies depending on the type of phone you have, but here are the general steps:
- Long press an empty space on your home screen.
- Choose “Widgets” from the menu that appears.
- Scroll through the list of available widgets and find the WhatsApp one.
- Long press the widget, then drag it to the desired location on your home screen.
Once the widget is installed, you will see the messages received on WhatsApp displayed directly on your home screen. You will be able to read them without opening the application and without the two blue checkmarks appearing at the sender.
The limits of this method
Although this trick is very practical, it has some disadvantages:
- Your smartphone must be unlocked to view notifications.
- Received messages can be easily spotted by anyone looking at your screen at the time.
- This method does not work if you have already opened the chat in the app.
In summary, there are several options to read WhatsApp messages without being seen by the sender. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and it may be a good idea to combine these methods depending on your needs. Feel free to try these tips and adjust your habits accordingly for the best WhatsApp experience.
