WhatsApp allows you to control your online visibility and status settings, making it easier for users to manage their privacy and interactions. By adjusting a few settings in the app, you can ensure that your online status is visible to everyone while controlling who can see your updates.
How to Appear Online on WhatsApp
- Open the WhatsApp application on your phone.
- Go to Settings, located in the bottom right corner of the screen.
- On the Settings page, tap on the Privacy option.
- Tap on the Last Seen and Online option.
- Select Everyone from the menu. Now, anyone with your number can see your active status.
- Before exiting, change the setting for Who Can See When I’m Online to Everyone as well.
- Go back and tap on the Status option.
- To restrict the audience, select Only Share With from the menu.
- Tap on the circle next to the contact names you wish to share your status with and then tap on Done.
- By following these steps, you’ve adjusted your privacy settings, allowing a limited audience to view your status while everyone can see when you’re online.
Why Manage Your WhatsApp Online Status
Keeping your online status visible to everyone can be helpful if you want to stay accessible to all your contacts or need to keep up with ongoing conversations without missing out on important chats. This visibility ensures transparency in your online interactions and can foster better communication, as your contacts can see when you’re online and available to chat.
Watch the video version: How To Appear Online On WhatsApp 2025 (iPhone & Android)
On the other hand, being selective about who can view your status updates allows you to maintain some privacy. You can control who stays updated with your day-to-day activities by limiting this audience. This combination of visibility and selective sharing strikes a balance between staying connected and managing privacy — a critical consideration in today’s digital communication landscape.