When a message arrives on WhatsApp, we don’t always want to open the conversation and have the other person see that we have already read the content. Although there are privacy options to avoid this notification, there are other methods that allow us to read the messages without entering the chat or the application.
Some of these methods allow us to respond to the other person. All from options external to the Meta platform, but that are part of the cell phone’s functions and that we can take advantage of without having to install additional applications, putting the security of our data at risk.
So we are going to show four simple tricks so that you can read those chats without having to open them and generate a reading receipt.
The first efficient method to read messages without opening the chat is to use pop-up notifications. This trick is less invasive and is available on all current versions of Android and iOS. Here’s how to configure it:
- Make sure WhatsApp notifications are turned on. On Android, go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Notifications’ and check that both message notifications and push notifications are enabled. On iOS, go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Notifications’ and make sure WhatsApp is allowed to send notifications and previews are turned on.
- When you receive a message, do not open the app directly. Instead, swipe down the notification bar to see a preview of the received message. Here you can read a part of the message without having to open the conversation.
- On many devices, you can also reply directly from the notification without opening WhatsApp. This is especially useful if you need to respond quickly without appearing online.
This method allows you to maintain your privacy and Avoid the pressure of having to respond immediately, as senders won’t know you’ve read their messages.
The WhatsApp widget is a useful tool to read messages without opening the application. This method is especially effective on Android devices. Here we show you how to configure it:
- Add the widget: Press and hold on your phone’s home screen until the option to add widgets appears. Find the one that belongs to WhatsApp and add it to your home screen.
- Read messages from the widget: Once added, the widget will display messages received from your contacts. You can scroll through messages without opening the app, allowing you to read them without them appearing as read and without appearing online.
- Avoid opening conversations: Make sure you don’t open any conversations from the widget to keep your reading private. If you accidentally open a chat, the message will be marked as read.
The WhatsApp search engine is a little-known but effective tool for reading messages without opening the conversation. This method is particularly useful in group chats. Here’s how to use it:
- In WhatsApp, tap the magnifying glass icon that appears at the top right of the screen.
- Write the name of the group in the search engine. You’ll see a list of messages sent by group participants, sorted by date and time sent.
- From the browser, you can see a preview of messages without having to open the conversation. This prevents senders from knowing that you have read their messages.
This method is especially useful for reading messages in groups without the senders receiving the read receipt. However, it has the limitation that it does not allow you to view images or videos, and it only shows text messages.
Taking advantage of the tools on Android and iOS, it is possible to ask the Google Assistant or Siri to read the messages that have recently arrived to you. Using the voice command: “Read my WhatsApp messages”, it is possible to ask either of us to tell us what content we have pending without opening the chat or even unlocking the phone screen.
Before activating this trick, it is essential to have the voice assistant configured so that it has access to the content of the applications.
