WHATSAPP is adding a “stealth mode” that lets you use the app without being seen.
Your mates could use it to avoid you – so if everyone suddenly appears offline on WhatsApp, that might be why.
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Right now it’s impossible to hide the fact that you’re online.
All you can do is conceal your “Last Seen” status.
Earlier this month, Meta and WhatsApp boss Mark Zuckerberg confirmed that it would soon be possible to hide your online status.
And now the sleuths at WABetaInfo have revealed that it’s now in development on the desktop app too, as well as for iPhone and Android.
The WhatsApp “stealth mode” lets you choose who can see that you’re online.
“Seeing when friends or family are online helps us feel connected to one another,” said WhatsApp.
“But we’ve all had times when we wanted to check our WhatsApp privately.
“For the times you want to keep your online presence private, we’re introducing the ability to select who can and can’t see when you’re online.”
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This feature is also rolling out starting this month.
The new feature will be available in Settings > Privacy > Last Seen & Online.
WhatsApp has been criticised in the past for not allowing users to hide their online statuses on the app.
“There may be different reasons why people want to use WhatsApp in stealth mode,” said WABetaInfo.
“Some users want to use WhatsApp without being disturbed by other people.
“Or they feel stalked by someone.”
Sadly there’s no guaranteed release date on this new feature.
But keep checking your WhatsApp for updates in the coming weeks, as it could give you the new feature.
Thankfully there’s another option for those who are really keen to try it before everyone else.
If you want to try it before it rolls out more generally, follow our guide below to join the WhatsApp beta.
How to get WhatsApp beta
To download WhatsApp beta for your smartphone you need to go to Google Play on your Android and search for WhatsApp.
Scroll down the page until you see “Become a Beta Tester”.
Tap the “I’m In” button and then click “Join” to confirm.
Now all you have to do is wait for the update to the beta version of the app.
Joining the WhatsApp beta on iOS for iPhone is more difficult, and has limited capacity.
Follow Apple’s guide here.
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
