THIS IS A TOTAL GAME CHANGER SURELY

[isitanoaktree]

Whatsapp has now provided an update whereby users can hide their 'online' status. This is honestly brilliant and a long time coming.

I have just breathed an audible sigh of relief knowing that being seen online won't cause issues for me in the future now.

What does this mean though for cheating spouses and partners who were caught out, in part, because they were seen online at odd hours or only ever online when they were locked in the bathroom? Interesting one...

Plays right into the hands of philanderers doesn't it...

It's not though is it - the article you linked to is dated August.

You’ve been checking “every day”

why so keen?

Ah thank you OP! I have removed my last seen but hate the pressure of my online status being seen that I then have to bloody reply to every message. So now I’ve hidden my online status too!

Ah Op, I've been using this since 1979, catch up!

Seriously though, am thankful for this update, ive been waiting for this! I also have my phone on DND constantly now (with exceptions for DH and DC) and it feels liberating!

This thread is gold. Particularly enjoying the poster who went from “Been doing this for years, it’s so useful” to “who has the time to think about this shit” in less than five minutes.

But the leaving groups silently is more exciting. It’s always felt like a bit of a flounce when you know your departure will be announced.

If you have “WhatsApp induced anxiety” you shouldn’t be using it.

Yeah, I've never liked that notification.

I'm not the person who posted this...but it doesn't need time spent analysing to work this out. You simply notice it over time when you're using WhatsApp.

It’s been around for years but also means you can’t see others’ status

The only time this would actually be useful was when I didn't want people to know I was in labour, people looking at my last online (on fb too) could see I'd been quiet for a day so I was obviously giving birth. This is also the only time I've looked at it with other people, I worked out my sister was in labour from this. I've had my kids now so not much use for this feature. I don't always reply to messages that I have read right away, I really don't care if people know I'm online or if I've read it, vice versa too, people are busy!

I can’t remember ever noticing when someone was last online or last used the app. Why would I care?

@Musti it hasn’t. That was the ‘last seen’ function. Now you can set online and last seen to be ‘nobody’ can see.

anyone else who I also whatsapp can see that I am online and essentially wonder who I am writing to, why I have time to write to others and not them if I have not replied to their message, or whether I am cheating on you as my status is constantly online in the small hours or when I am supposed to be otherwise busy, like at work

If that's the sort of relationship you have (not judging you, I had a loon who would have been all over it were it not for his being thick as mince, so had to stick with focusing upon my 'clear' attempts to snare random hookups by washing my hair or leaving the house and trying to stop me having a phone or using my laptop to study on) - you need to get out.

Been waiting for this update for a bit, thanks op. I have a rather dramatic friend who ramps up the drama tenfold when not getting immediate to the second replies to her messages but can see I am "online" and daring to speak to others.

@phos I will be turning mine off to prevent my toxic family from asking if I’m ignoring them because I can be seen ‘Online’. Lucky you to be surrounded by people who are unobtrusive and have good boundaries. That, sadly, is not my reality.

Wow this is riveting stuff, I don't know how I'll sleep at night knowing this update is coming soon

Emma you go into the settings then chats and there is a toggle to keep chats archived. If you switch it off archived chats will unarchive if you receive a new message. If you leave it on they won’t and you need to check them.

Nope, been doing this since the 80s guys keep up

Are you even reading the thread?

😂😂

@MistyRock If that makes you 'LMAO' you must really have a boring life, love!

As I've mentioned, I was a beta tester for many smartphone software developers when I worked for Apple. These features are tested on beta testers long before they're released. Perfectly normal procedure.

I don’t care who knows I am online.

I have multiple WhatsApp chats including work, so I am often online but not available to talk, so I ignore them until I am free to reply.

I would never check if someone was online or when their ‘last seen’ was as I assume everyone is like me and just because they’re online doesn’t mean they’re free to chat.

Oh to be so popular!

Sorry, in answer to the question in your title - no, no it's not

I had no idea people got worked up about this!
My online status shall stay the same as my last seen status - everyone is more than welcome to know it, and if that is important information for them then great.
I shall continue to deal with messages and calls etc in exactly the same way as I have up to now - in my own sweet time and as I see fit.
But for those who were being hassled about not replying, or felt guilty, I can see that this is a great new feature.