<\/p>\n
The day has come, which answers the prayers of all WhatsApp users. <\/p>\n
So significant is the feature that it has likely ended some marriages and relationships, disabled a pathological liar and got every user into trouble at some point. <\/p>\n
In a technical sense, however, this isn\u2019t an inclusion by the WhatsApp gods but rather the exclusion every user longed for\u2026<\/p>\n
Say goodbye to your WhatsApp\u2019 Online\u2019 status.<\/p>\n
It is finally here; WhatsApp users using the Android app may already have access to the feature, allowing them complete privacy and the veil of secrecy they\u2019ve wished for. Your contacts will now not be able to see whether you\u2019re online.<\/p>\n
As previously reported by IOL, the feature has been in the works for months, according to scores of online rumours by enthusiasts and analysts. It builds off a series of new features launched by the platform, which culminated in the launch of hiding online status.<\/p>\n
WhatsApp users are likely familiar with hiding statuses from the eyes of a prying and nosey family. However, since then, WhatsApp has enhanced its privacy and security features.<\/p>\n
The Meta-owned instant messenger recently allowed users to select which contacts will be able to see a user\u2019s Profile Photo, About, and Last Seen status information within the app.<\/p>\n
The new feature, which allows more control over users\u2019 online status and who can view it, conveniently works in a similar method to other privacy control functionality.<\/p>\n
How to hide your online status on WhatsApp:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2013 Open WhatsApp and select the three dots in the top right of the screen to access \u2018options.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2013 Tap the \u2018Settings\u2019 menu, then tap \u2018Account\u2019 and \u2018Privacy\u2019, and you should see \u2018Last seen and online.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2013 Tap this menu to access the online status options.<\/p>\n How the online status feature works:<\/strong><\/p>\n As mentioned, users who have used control features, among other privacy options, should understand the new \u2018Last seen and online\u2019 menu. The feature has four options: \u2018Everyone\u2019 allows anyone, whether they\u2019re your contact or not, to see online status.<\/p>\n \u2018My Contacts\u2019 will allow those you\u2019ve added as a contact to your phone or previously on WhatsApp to see whether you\u2019re online, while \u2018My contacts except\u2026\u2019 limits this to your selected contacts. Lastly, the self-explanatory \u2018Nobody\u2019 option becomes widely apt for those who\u2019ve longed to hide their WhatsApp\u2019 online status\u2019 from everyone.<\/p>\n What happens if you don\u2019t find the feature<\/strong><\/p>\n If the feature was unavailable for you, it has yet to be rolled out for your device. The feature has been more widely rolled out recently but should be available for all users within the coming weeks.<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t see the availability of the feature in your app, update it through your app store and keep checking for updates until the feature becomes visible.<\/p>\n