The WhatsApp online status allows users to share text, photos, videos and GIFs that disappear after 24 hours. It indicates whether a user is actively using WhatsApp at a given time.
How Online Status Works
The WhatsApp online status feature shows which contacts are currently using the app. It displays a green dot next to the name of anyone who is online and using WhatsApp. If a contact was recently online but is currently offline, a timestamp showing when they were last seen is displayed. User privacy settings determine whether the “last seen” timestamp is shown to contacts, some contacts, or no one.
A user’s own online status is visible to all contacts by default. This can be changed in WhatsApp’s privacy settings. Users can choose to show their “last seen” status to everyone, their contacts only, or nobody. Selecting “nobody” will disable the user’s online status and last seen timestamp for all contacts.
Viewing Online Statuses
To see your contacts’ WhatsApp online statuses, open the chat list in the app. Green dots next to profile names indicate which of your contacts are currently online. Tap on a contact’s profile picture or name to open the chat window – their last seen time will be shown here if visible based on their privacy settings.
In group chats, green dots next to participant names show who is currently online and active in WhatsApp. The list of participants can be accessed by tapping on the group name at the top of the chat window.
Online statuses automatically update in real-time as contacts open and close WhatsApp. There is no manual way for users to alter their online status outside of the last seen privacy settings.
Setting Online Status Privacy
Adjusting online status and last seen privacy settings controls which contacts can view your activity in WhatsApp.
To change the privacy settings on iOS and Android devices:
- Open WhatsApp Settings
- Tap Account > Privacy
- Select Last Seen & Online
- Choose from Everyone, My Contacts, or Nobody
On WhatsApp Web:
- Click on the three-dot menu icon
- Go to Settings > Privacy
- Click Last Seen & Online
- Select an option to control who can see your status
Setting last seen status to “My Contacts” or “Nobody” will disable online status for those contacts as well. Selecting “Nobody” is the only way to hide your online status completely.
Disappearing Statuses
In addition to the automatic online indicator, WhatsApp has a status feature where users can share posts that disappear after 24 hours. This is similar to Stories on other social platforms.
To view someone’s disappearing WhatsApp status updates:
- Open your contacts list
- Tap on a contact’s profile picture
- Swipe up from their name, profile or chat info
- This will display their status if they have one posted
Statuses appear in a bar at the top of the main chats list. Tap any status circle to view that contact’s update. Stories are end-to-end encrypted and can only be seen by your contacts.
To post your own disappearing status:
- Tap Status at the bottom of the chats list
- Tap My Status at the top of the screen
- Take a photo, record a video, or write text
- Customize with editing tools and send
This status will now display for 24 hours at the top of your contacts’ chat lists in WhatsApp. View counts indicate how many people have seen the status update.
Troubleshooting Online Status Issues
If your online status is not working correctly, here are some steps to troubleshoot:
- Make sure WhatsApp is updated to the latest version
- Force close and relaunch the app
- Check your internet connection
- Toggle your phone’s airplane mode on and off
- Restart your phone
- Clear the app cache and data
- Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp
If contacts are not showing your online status, check that privacy settings have not disabled it. WhatsApp could also be experiencing server issues preventing statuses from updating.
If you are not seeing other contacts’ online indicators, they may have adjusted their last seen and online privacy settings. You can ask contacts to check their status privacy and make sure it is not set to “Nobody”.
For disappearing statuses, ensure you have the latest WhatsApp version installed. If a contact’s status is not showing, ask them to check their app is up to date.
Online Status Notifications
To get notified when specific important contacts come online on WhatsApp, a user can mute that person’s chat, while enabling notifications for when they are online again. On iOS, enable “Notify Me” in each chat’s settings. On Android, toggle “Show Notifications” in chat settings.
When muted contacts come online or their online status changes, WhatsApp will send a notification alert. This allows muting ongoing conversations while still getting pings for online status changes.
Using Online Status Outside WhatsApp
Some third party apps claim to show WhatsApp online statuses externally, however this breaches WhatsApp’s terms of service. The only official way to view WhatsApp online status is through the app itself.
Beware of any app that asks for your WhatsApp login or permissions. Sharing your WhatsApp account could expose conversations and data.
Online Status and User Activity
While online status can indicate if a contact is actively on WhatsApp, it does not guarantee immediate response. A user may be online but away from their device. Online also does not mean they have read your messages.
Last seen time gives a more precise indicator of past activity. However this is hidden if a contact sets their last seen privacy to “Nobody”. The double check mark shows when messages have been successfully delivered and read.
Typing indicators denote when contacts are actively typing. These appear directly within chat windows. Voice and video call statuses also provide enhanced user activity information.
Managing WhatsApp Activity
Users concerned about privacy can limit online status visibility in WhatsApp’s settings. Disabling the last seen timestamp is the only way to fully hide your online status.
If needing to appear offline temporarily, airplane mode is an option. This will pause WhatsApp connectivity and prevent status updates.
Actively using other apps or locking your phone will not alter WhatsApp online status. Background activity in WhatsApp still shows as online.
Closing the app fully by swiping it away from recents is required to remove the online indicator. Turning off notifications can also limit unwanted activity alerts.
Business profiles
WhatsApp business profiles function similarly to normal accounts in terms of online status and activity indicators. The key difference is the ability to enable away messages:
- Away messages auto-reply when a business is unable to respond immediately, even if online
- Customizable greetings can provide FAQs, hours, and other info
- Indicates to customers when to expect delayed responses
Businesses can customize these messages to set expectations with customers based on online status and activity.
Conclusion
The WhatsApp online status indicator and last seen timestamp allow users to view basic activity levels of their contacts. These settings are on by default but can be hidden for privacy. Disappearing 24 hour statuses provide a way to share temporary updates via text, photos, videos and GIFs.
While online status shows when a contact is active on WhatsApp, it does not guarantee immediate response time. Additional options like read receipts, typing indicators and call statuses provide enhanced visibility into real-time engagement across the platform.