Finally, WhatsApp will let you hide 'last seen' status from specific contacts

For now, you can only hide the status from non-contacts or everyone.
By Anna Iovine  on 
two phones showing whatsapp on the screen

WhatsApp is beta testing a feature to hide a user's 'last seen' status from certain contacts, according to WhatsApp beta news blog WABetaInfo.

On WhatsApp, 'last seen' lets other users know when someone last opened the app, and could hint at whether they checked the app without responding to a message. Currently, you can hide your 'last seen' from everyone, but that means you can't see anyone else's, either. There's also an option to set 'last seen' to your contacts only, but you can't choose specific people to be privy to it.

Mashable Light Speed
Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories?
Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter.
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!

Here are the current 'last seen' privacy options available on WhatsApp:

screenshot of whatsapp last seen privacy feature
WhatsApp's current Last Seen privacy feature. Credit: Screenshot: WhatsApp

The new feature will add "My Contacts Except..." to this list, making it possible to block certain people from viewing your 'last seen.' It's currently in beta for both iOS and Android, and will hopefully be released to all of WhatsApp soon.

Topics WhatsApp

anna iovine, a white woman with curly chin-length brown hair, smiles at the camera
Anna Iovine
Associate Editor, Features

Anna Iovine is associate editor of features at Mashable. Previously, as the sex and relationships reporter, she covered topics ranging from dating apps to pelvic pain. Before Mashable, Anna was a social editor at VICE and freelanced for publications such as Slate and the Columbia Journalism Review. Follow her on X @annaroseiovine.


Recommended For You
iOS 18: Everything single thing we know so far
Visual interpretation of iOS 18

You came back to Threads. Here's how it can keep you.
Threads on a phone with a Twitter logo in the background

iOS 17.5 beta 2 is here: 5 new features on your iPhone
iOS 17 photo illustration


Bumble revamps the 'first move' and other features
white hands with red polish hold phone with bumble logo on it

More in Tech
Where to pre-order the new Apple Pencil Pro
Birds' eye view of person drawing on iPad with Apple Pencil with backpack, lamp, and desk in peripherals

2024 iPad Air hands-on: Call me greedy, but I want more
iPad Air 2024


AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile declare legal war on FCC
Person holding smartphone

iPad Pro 2024 now has 'Tandem OLED': 5 reasons this is a big deal
New 'Tandem OLED' iPad Pro

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for May 8
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

'Wordle' today: Here's the answer hints for May 8
a phone displaying Wordle

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for May 7
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

NYT's The Mini crossword answers for May 8
Closeup view of crossword puzzle clues

K-pop fans are furious about racism at the Met Gala. Here's why.
(L-R) Bang Chan, Han, Felix, Seungmin, Hyunjin, I.N, Lee Know, and Changbin of Stray Kids attend The 2024 Met Gala Celebrating "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 06, 2024 in New York City.
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!