How to hide your online status: WhatsApp beta v2.22.16.12 now allows users of the cross-platform messaging service to hide their online status from others.
The ability to hide your online status is an extension of the ability to modify a similar setting in the form of the “Last seen” status with chosen contacts in your address book; that option has been available for over a year but is now being expanded to include your real online activity.
Essentially, if you’re actively using WhatsApp, you’ll soon be able to completely hide your online and last-seen statuses. Earlier this month, evidence suggested that the functionality might be coming to iOS, but it appears that Android beta testers will be the first to receive it.
How to hide your online status on WhatsApp
WhatsApp beta version 2.22.16.12 for Android, according to code-digger WABetaInfo, allows you to entirely hide your online status from all or particular contacts. If you are a WhatsApp beta tester and have updated to v2.22.16.12, you may find the toggle by going to Settings > Account > Privacy > Last seen and online.
From here, a new “Who can see when I’m online” area will appear beneath the “Who can view my last seen” status section. This may be changed to allow “Everyone” to see when you’re online or to mirror the settings for “Last seen.”