Hiding last seen timestamp on Whatsapp Messenger app

Whatsapp messenger service is being used by millions across the globe. The most recent news that took the world by surprise was Whatsapp acquisition by Facebook for $19 billion. Now, Whatsapp will soon be introducing voice functionality (Voice app) during the later part of this year. Some of the existing features like the "last seen" timestamp does annoy a lot of users. Everyone of us will have certain group of friends or colleagues to whom we do not want to reveal the information about our presence on Whatsapp. How often have you been asked for reasons that led to delay in replying on Whatsapp despite being present online? When I don't get a reply to my Whatsapp ping, I too check my close friend's profile just to know his / her "last seen" status information. The company has now provided useful ways to get rid of "last seen" timestamp on one's Whatsapp profile for Android smartphones. This is a great new addition to the existing list of Whatsapp features. For iPhones, this feature was already available for sometime now. This feature is still not made available on Google Play store for Whatsapp app and so you will have to make some changes to your Whatsapp Settings.

In this article, we shall discuss the various tricks to hide "last seen" information on Whatsapp profile.

Steps to disable "last seen" timestamp on Android smartphones

• Verify that your smartphone has Android 2.1 or higher OS version.


• In the Settings area of your Android phone, go to Security section.


• Under security, enable the option to "download from unknown sources".


• On the main website of Whatsapp (www.whatsapp.com), download APK file from the link: Download Whatsapp on Android


• Upon successful download of the application (APK) file, open it and you will be able to see 2 options: 'Package Installer' and 'Verify and Install'.


• Select the 'Package Installer' option and you will be asked permission for making changes to Whatsapp.


• Once you give the permission, your Whatsapp will be updated and all prior data will be retained.


• Now, go to your Whatsapp app "Setting" area. From here, select the "Account" option and finally go to "Privacy" zone.


• The "Last Seen" option will be visible in the Privacy section with 3 varied options: Everyone, My Contacts and Nobody.


• Depending on your requirement, you can opt to keep the "Last Seen" feature visible for all, selected few or nobody.


• If you block someone from seeing your "Last Seen" information, even you won't be able to see their "Last Seen" timestamp.


• In the privacy section, you will even be able to control who sees your Whatsapp status and profile photo.

Steps to disable "last seen" timestamp on iPhone

• Open Whatsapp application on iPhone.


• Inside the app, go to Chat Settings.


• Select the "Advanced" settings option to get the toggle option for "Last Seen Timestamp".


• Turn the toggle "Off".