Users of WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger have expressed horror after learning that the 'unread' feature does not actually prevent senders from knowing their message has been read. The feature, which allows users to mark a conversation as unread for later attention, only affects the display on the recipient's device, not the sender's read receipt status.
How the 'unread' feature actually works
Presenter and comedian Eric Roberts revealed the truth in a TikTok video, stating: 'I just found out that when you mark a message as unread, it only marks it unread on your phone. Everyone else can still see that you've read that message. And I just want to apologise to everyone.' In the caption, he added: 'I'm horrified.'
Roberts was not alone in his misunderstanding. One commenter wrote: 'You're not serious are you? What about on Messenger? I need to trial this with a friend in the morning... I need to know!' Another simply responded: 'Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo.' A third user added: 'I am just finding this out now and I am not happy.' Someone else commented: 'I've learnt that the hard way.'
The workaround: turning off read receipts
Fortunately, there is a simple solution for those who wish to keep their message-reading private. One user shared: 'To everyone - turn off your read receipts! It's the best thing I did this year. Knowing when someone has actually cast their eyes over a message is a level of info we just don't need.' Another added: 'Just turn off read receipts. Had them off for years.'
On iPhone, one user explained: 'If read receipts are on, it doesn't undo the read receipt, it just stays there, but for you, it'll just show up as a conversation that you need to get back to.' Another clarified for WhatsApp: 'It only marks it unread for you, it doesn't undo any read receipts. You need to turn off read receipts which will apply in future.'
How to disable read receipts on iPhone and Android
For iPhone users, read receipts for iMessage can be turned off by going to Settings, then Apps, then Message, and disabling 'Send Read Receipts'. Android users can do the same by tapping their profile in the Messages app, navigating to Message Settings, then RCS chats, and toggling the switch off.
