Tech Reference

What the 'last seen' status on WhatsApp means, and how to turn yours off

Written by William Antonelli edited by John Lynch
The logos of applications, WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram and Facebook belonging to the company Meta are displayed on the screen of an iPhone.
WhatsApp tracks when you last used it. Chesnot/Getty Images
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Plenty of websites and apps have "last seen" features, and they all serve a similar purpose: To let you know who's an active user, and who hasn't thought about the app in months.

What 'last seen' means on WhatsApp

If you're in a one-on-one conversation with someone on WhatsApp, you might see a message at the top of the screen that says last seen at. This message shows you the last time that the person you're chatting with logged into WhatsApp.

If they've logged on within the past day, it'll tell you the exact time they last used WhatsApp. If it's been longer than that, it'll give you the full date.

The “last seen” status on WhatsApp.
You’ll find the status underneath their name.  Meta; William Antonelli/Insider

On the other hand, if it just says Online, it means that user is logged into WhatsApp right at that moment. And if it says Typing, it means that they're writing a message to you.

While this feature is useful for keeping tabs on your friends, it might also be more information than you're comfortable sharing. If that's the case, you can turn your own "last seen" status off.

How to turn off 'last seen' on WhatsApp

These settings will change who's allowed to see your "last seen" status. Just note that if you disable your own "last seen" status, you won't be able to see other users' statuses either. You have to share your own status to see anyone else's.

1. Open WhatsApp and tap Settings in the bottom-right corner (iPhone) or tap the three dots in the top-right and select Settings (Android).

2. Tap Account, and then Privacy.

3. Select the Last Seen option and pick who's allowed to see your status: Everyone, My Contacts, or Nobody.

The Privacy settings menu in WhatsApp.
Tap “Last Seen” at the top.  Meta; William Antonelli/Insider

It'll save as soon as you pick an option.

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WillAntonelli
William Antonelli
ExperienceWilliam joined Business Insider in 2019 to help found Tech Reference, a vertical dedicated to answering the internet’s most common questions about the gadgets they buy. In that role, he helped grow the vertical into a powerhouse that attracted over 20 million pageviews a month. He also wrote and edited one of Business Insider’s most successful stories: How to take a screenshot on Windows.William later became one of Business Insider's lead consumer tech reporters, writing roundups and reviews about gadgets ranging from smartphones to gaming PCs. He also established key industry contacts at brands like Apple, Google, Nintendo, and more. He’s also cited on the Wikipedia page for Among Us, an honor above all others.William’s work for Business Insider has included reviewing the best gaming laptops, publishing previews of new Nintendo games and consoles, and comparing Apple’s latest releases so readers know what’s worth their money. Across all assignments, he’s been praised for his depth of knowledge and research skills.In addition to his work at Business Insider, William’s writing has appeared in outlets like The Guardian, Polygon, Thomson Reuters’ Context, and more. He's also a regular guest on TV stations like CBS and NBC, where he provides expert analysis on AI, consumer tech, and Silicon Valley moguls.Why you can trust WilliamWilliam believes the goal of journalism should be to tell the truth, not sell products. In his reviews, William never hesitates to call out a product’s flaws, but he also has no issue complimenting features that genuinely add value.When reviewing a product, William doesn’t test it in a vacuum. He tries to incorporate each product into his daily routine to get a better sense of how it’ll work for the everyday user. And when writing, he focuses on reader comprehension. He’s talented at explaining complicated concepts in ways that all readers can understand, without losing depth or nuance — or his distinctively engaging voice.Expertise
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Consumer Technology (Laptops, PCs, video games and gaming consoles, smartphones, more)
  • Social Media (TikTok, X, Meta, more)
  • Internet Culture (Memes, influencers, viral trends)
  • Disinformation
EducationWilliam graduated from the State University of New York at Geneseo in 2018. There, he studied English, communications, and adolescent education, alongside reporting news for the university’s radio and TV stations.Outside workWhen he’s not reporting, you can usually find William biking through Central Park, playing video games, or at home listening to music and writing fanfiction. He’s also a co-manager of the New York Mandolin Ensemble, one of NYC’s premier string orchestras.You can contact him at w.antonelli322@gmail.com, visit his official website at williamantonelli.com, or follow him on Twitter @DubsRewatcher and BlueSky @wantonelli.bsky.social.