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How to See When Someone Was Last Active on WhatsApp

Elsa Updated on Apr 24, 2023 Filed to: Parent Control

Online and Last seen are two key features in WhatsApp that helps tell you when your contacts last used WhatsApp. 'Online' status shows you that this specific contact is using WhatsApp, while 'last seen' shows you the last time that contact was online. These two features are the main ones that tell you how to see when someone was last active on WhatsApp.

However, some people might choose to turn off the last active on WhatsApp, which means you will not be able to see their WhatsApp active status. So, is there a way to solve this barrier that might limit you not knowing when they were active?

Well, there are, and we're going to discuss them in this post, but first, let's start with how to see the last seen on WhatsApp.

1How to See When Someone Was Last Active on WhatsApp

As noted above, two status shows when your contact last used WhatsApp: Online and Last seen.

The 'last seen' shows the last time your contact last used WhatsApp. It can show time like today, 9:05 pm, or the date and time, for example, 7th June 2023. Ideally, it usually shows the date when that contact hasn't been online on WhatsApp for weeks or months, but when the person was online hours or a few minutes ago, it shows time. For those contacts with last seen being a couple, it can simply show something like this "Last seen today at 19:22 am."

On the other hand, online shows that the contact is currently using WhatsApp. Remember, showing online doesn't mean that person is using WhatsApp; instead, it shows that they have their WhatsApp open on one or several devices. For example, if I have my WhatsApp open on the Google Chrome browser with that device connected to the internet, it will simply show that I'm online even if I'm far from that device.

2Steps to Help You Check Your Contacts Last Seen on WhatsApp

Now that you know that it is possible to see when someone was last active on WhatsApp, let's now see how to do so:

For Android Users

Step 1.
Open WhatsApp
As usual, to someone's last seen, you will have to open their chat which means you have o start by opening the App itself.

Step 2.
Tap on Chats
Ensure you're on the chats page, not the status or calls.

Step 3.
Open any conversation
Now, this is where you can see your contacts last see. When you open the conversion, you will be able o see that contact's last seen just below their name. It can show something like Last seen today at 8:21 am.

For iPhone Users

Step 1.
Open WhatsApp
Just like in Android, tap on the what's app application (the green App with a white phone inside a test bubble)

Step 2.
Tap 'Chats'
Unlike in Android, the application displays several features differently, so for this one, you will have to tap on chats to access conversations.

Step 3.
Tap a Conversation
To see your contact's last seen, you will have to tap on your conversation with them. It will display your message with the contact; above those messages, just below their name, you will see their last seen.

3What If I Can't See When They Were Last Active on WhatsApp?

It is a possible scenario where you may follow the above steps and still fail to see when someone was last active on WhatsApp. But why? You may ask:

Well, as noted earlier, WhatsApp gives you the power to decide what information can be seen by other people, and last seen is one of them. And so, if you don't see someone's last seen, it means they have chosen the hide last active on WhatsApp, and how to do this is shown below.

Generally, there are three reasons you may not see when someone was last active on WhatsApp, which include:

● You have your privacy settings set to no share last seen. It means if you hide your last seen, you can't see someone's last seen.
● If the above reason isn't right, they might have hidden their last active on WhatsApp.
● Also, being blocked by someone on WhatsApp will not allow you to see their last seen.

4How to Check when Someone Was Last Active on WhatsApp Even with Last Seen Hidden

First of all, is it possible to see when someone was last active on WhatsApp even when they have hidden the last active on WhatsApp?

Absolutely, YES.

It is a possible thing to do; however, no feature on WhatsApp allows you to see the last seen of someone who has restricted it. Therefore, you will need to use several other applications to track and let you know when they last used WhatsApp.

One type of application that can track this is parental control apps. These applications are designed and fitted with advanced algorithms that track several things from other devices, including their social media usage. A good example and one application that we highly recommend is the AirDroid Parental Control.

How Does the Airdroid App Help You See the Last Active WhatsApp Status?

AirDroid works very differently from many applications as it tracks more important data than just the WhatsApp last active. But this application is designed to provide you with a report of which applications the tracked user has used throughout the day.

More importantly, it shows how often they visited each specific application and when was the last time they used it. It, therefore, means you can track their last seen.

How Essential Is This Application in Tracking the Last Active WhatsApp Status?

Relevancy is the key factor in determining how useful any application is. For this application, I will likely recommend it when you want to track your kids or someone close to you. It is because you will have to pair their device to this application which will be installed on your phone, to be able to receive updates.

What Are the Benefits of Using the Airdroid Parental Control App?

AirDroid features a super advanced algorithm that allows it to incorporate several key features that will perform incredibly well. These key features will help do more than one thing when using this application. For example, you can use it to track location or limit what websites your kids will be using.

Here are some of the features we are talking about:

a) Daily Usage report: Knowing what your kids have been doing with their devices all day long is the first step to ensuring healthy digital habits. This App gives well-detailed data all day.

b) Remote monitoring: This App is fitted with a Screen Mirroring feature that helps you look at their current screen and what they are doing. You can also listen to what's going on in their surroundings.

c) Location Tracker: It can help you track all paired devices' locations and give you their real-time location. Furthermore, you can use it to set fenced geo-zones, to which you will be alerted once the person with that device gets outside that zone.

d) App & Screen Time management: Screen and app management are two things that can help you ensure your kids or even yourself maintain good digital habits. It means you can use this application to schedule when and how long your kids can use the screen and which applications not to access.

5Bonus: How to Hide Last Active on WhatsApp

Your online or last seen status are things you can control by simply using the available privacy settings on WhatsApp. And by default, WhatsApp has your last seen set to allow people to see it, meaning if you want to hide your last active on WhatsApp, then you need to change that via privacy settings.

To set this, you can follow the steps below:

Android

Step 1.Start by tapping 'More' which often shows as the three-dot icon.
Step 2.Then tap 'Settings.'
Step 3.Click on 'Account.'
Step 4.After that, click on 'Privacy.'
Step 5.Tap on 'Last Seen.'

After clicking on the last seen, you will be given several options. It includes Everyone, My Contacts, My contacts except, and Nobody. The 'Nobody' option will allow you to entirely hide your online status from everyone.

iPhone

Step 1.Start by tapping on 'Settings'.
Step 2.Then 'Account.'
Step 3.And then 'Privacy.'
Step 4.Click on 'Last Seen and choose the what privacy option you want.'

Desktop

Tap Menu > Settings > Privacy > Last Seen > Then choose the privacy options.

KaiOS

Start by tapping Options > Settings > Account > Privacy > Last Seen

Note : according to WhatsApp privacy rules, if you don't share your last seen, you won't be able to see other users' last seen.

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Elsa

Elsa has worked on a number of iOS & Android solutions, she can always find her way around almost any application. She is an accomplished, skilled and versatile writer with more than 7 years of technical article writing experience.