How to Reply to Messages on WhatsApp Without Going Online

By default, WhatsApp conveniently displays when a contact is currently online. This makes it a little easier to estimate whether you can expect a quick response or whether you should make a call if it's urgent. In some situations, however, the online display in this instant messenger can be a bit annoying.

For example, if you’ve already said “good night” to your girlfriend or boyfriend, you probably don’t want to hear questions about your late-night chat escapades the next morning. So, we’ve put together a few iOS and Android tricks that you can use to respond while remaining “undercover.”

Unlike other tech sites, we don’t link to third-party apps in this guide, as using them will result in the loss of end-to-end encryption. In addition to personal services, you also end up sharing your friends’ data with these apps. Instead, here are two extremely effective methods for sending messages via WhatsApp’s so-called “offline” mode.

1. Use the Reply function on your notifications

The easiest way to avoid being shown as “online” when sending a message on WhatsApp is to reply from the notifications tab on Android or iOS. To do this, notifications must be enabled through the operating system settings:

1. Open the menu Settings/Adjustments on your smartphone;
2. Navigate to Applications and select WhatsApp;
3. Select Notifications and turn on all notifications.

By doing this, every time you receive a notification, you can simply click on the drop-down menu to reply to the message using the “Reply” button. This won’t launch WhatsApp itself, but you can still type and send a reply without affecting your online status or “Last Seen.”

If you use a wearable and also receive WhatsApp notifications on it, there is another option. However, few fitness trackers have the ability to reply to incoming messages, and they may only offer predefined responses. You’ll have better luck if you use a smartwatch.

2. Turn off mobile data or turn on Airplane Mode

This method is a bit of a hassle, but it works. All you need to do is turn off your smartphone’s mobile data connection before composing and sending a message. The best way to do this is to use Airplane Mode, which turns off both Wi-Fi and mobile data.

Once the internet connection is re-established after sending, WhatsApp will automatically send the message without updating your online status.

In short, it works like this:

1. Disable your mobile data and the Wi-Fi connection on your smartphone;
2. Open WhatsApp and select the contact you want to reply to;
3. Write a message and send it;
4. Close WhatsApp;
5. Turn on Wi-Fi and mobile data connections;
6. Now WhatsApp will send the message automatically.

Another tip: turn off “Last seen” status

If you don’t already know, you can easily turn off your “Last Seen” status. This will give you a little more privacy and you won’t be sued if you check your phone at night.

1. Access WhatsApp Settings via the three-dot menu (Android) or the option Settings from your iPhone;
2. Go to Account (or directly in Privacy on iPhone);
3. Select Privacy;
4. Now you can completely disable online status from the option Last seen and online.

However, turning off the display does not prevent you from being shown as “Online” when using WhatsApp. You can change the settings for this in the same menu.

Have you had success using this guide to be a little more anonymous on WhatsApp? If so, please let us know in the comments. Of course, you can also take advantage and tell us about other methods for writing WhatsApp messages while undercover.