In the age of constant connectivity, your “last seen” status on messaging apps like Telegram can sometimes feel like an invasion of your privacy.
Whether it’s a boss keeping tabs on you or a family member questioning your online habits, you might want to conceal or even fake this small but revealing piece of information for numerous reasons.
This blog post aims to address exactly that: how to hide and fake your last seen status in Telegram.
How to Hide and Fake Last Seen Status in Telegram.
Here are the three (3) methods you can use;
Method 1: Fake Your Timestamp Using a VPN
With a Virtual Private Network (VPN), you can mask your IP address and change your timestamp, making your online actions virtually untraceable.
Recommended VPNs
- NordVPN (Has the most number of servers, over 5000+, in 60 countries to choose from. Uses a unique Onion Over VPN feature to mask your online traffic for maximum anonymity.)
- Surfshark VPN (One of the few providers that allow unlimited device connections with just a single subscription. You can connect all your devices with no logs policy)
- IPVanish (Supports all platforms, routers and TV. Uses SOCKS5 web proxy feature for faster anonymous connection speed)
How This Method Works
Once the VPN is active, your true location is hidden. Telegram might show a last-seen status that doesn’t align with your local time.
This essentially “fakes” your last seen status, throwing off anyone who’s keeping tabs on you.
How can I customize my last seen on Telegram? Utilizing a VPN is one of the most foolproof ways to mask your real last-seen time.
Method 2: Hide Your Status Using Airplane Mode
Airplane Mode is a nifty feature on your smartphone that disables its wireless communication functions, effectively severing your connection to the internet.
This method is excellent if you want a quick way to check your Telegram messages without alerting anyone to your online presence.
However, it’s more of a one-time solution, not ideal for prolonged usage. But if you need to hide your Telegram online status, this is the trick for you!
How to Activate Airplane Mode
- For Android Users:
- Open the notification shade by swiping down from the top of the screen.
- Look for the airplane icon and tap on it.
- For iPhone Users:
- Open the Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen.
- Tap the airplane icon to activate Airplane Mode.
What Happens When You Do This
Here’s the juicy part: once you’ve activated Airplane Mode, you can safely open Telegram without updating your last seen status.
- Activate Airplane Mode as described above.
- Open Telegram: You’re now offline, so go ahead and open Telegram.
- Read Messages and Reply: Feel free to read new messages and even draft replies.
- Deactivate Airplane Mode: Disable Airplane Mode to go back online once you’re done. Your messages will be sent, and your “last seen” will show when you deactivated Airplane Mode, not when you were online and reading messages.
Method 3: Utilizing Third-Party Apps
Enter third-party apps specifically designed to help you control your “last seen” status on Telegram. Let’s get into it.
Recommended Apps
- Hide-For-Telegram: An Android app allowing you to read Telegram messages without sending receipts or updating your last seen.
- LastSeen Tracker For Telegram: Another Android app that offers similar features and can even track other people’s last seen for you.
Steps to Use Third-Party Apps
- Download the App: Search for the recommended apps in Google Play Store (or alternative Android app markets) and download it.
- Install and Open: Follow the on-screen instructions to install and open the app.
- Link Your Telegram Account: Usually, these apps will ask you to sign in to your Telegram account. Do so securely.
- Follow App Instructions: Each app will have its own features and instructions on hiding or fake your last seen.
How to Verify Your Last Seen Status is Hidden
Alright, you’ve done the work. You’ve employed one of the methods above to keep your “last seen” status on Telegram under wraps.
But how can you be sure it’s working? Time to verify!
Using a Secondary Telegram Account
- Create a Second Account: If you don’t already have one, create a secondary Telegram account. You can use a different phone number or use various services to get a temporary number from Hushed or Numero.
- Send a Test Message: From your primary Telegram account, send a message to your secondary one.
- Check the Status: Log into your secondary account and check its “last seen” status for your primary account.
Asking a Trusted Friend
- Choose a Trusted Friend: This should be someone you’re comfortable sharing your test with.
- Ask Them: Politely ask them to check your “last seen” status and tell you what it shows.
Using Telegram’s Privacy Settings
- Go to Settings: Open Telegram and navigate to Settings > Privacy and Security.
- Check “Last Seen” Privacy: Here you’ll see your chosen settings for who can see your “last seen” status. Make sure it aligns with what you desire.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
You’ve made it this far, and I bet you still have a few questions bubbling up. No worries! Let’s tackle some of the most frequently asked questions about hiding and faking your “last seen” status on Telegram.
Q1: Can I Fake My “Last Seen” on All Devices?
Answer: Generally, the methods discussed apply to the device you’ve implemented them on. So if you’ve used Airplane Mode on your phone, it won’t affect Telegram on your computer.
Q2: Do These Methods Violate Telegram’s Terms of Service?
Answer: It’s a gray area. While Telegram doesn’t explicitly ban these practices, frequent misuse could potentially get your account flagged.
Q3: What Happens When I Hide My “Last Seen” from Others?
Answer: When you hide your “last seen,” the other person will see a vague status like “last seen recently” or “last seen within a week,” instead of the specific time you were last online.
Q4: Is My Data Safe with Third-Party Apps?
Answer: Always exercise caution with third-party apps. Ensure they’re from reputable sources and check user reviews for any red flags.
Q5: Can My Friends Know That I’ve Hidden My “Last Seen”?
Answer: If someone is savvy enough, they might suspect that you’ve hidden your “last seen” if they continuously see vague statuses. But there’s no direct way for them to know for sure.
Q6: How Can I Customize My “Last Seen” on Telegram?
Answer: Telegram itself offers some basic options under Settings > Privacy and Security > Last Seen. But for more custom options, third-party apps are the way to go.
Q7: Will These Methods Affect My Message Delivery?
Answer: No, these methods shouldn’t affect the sending or receiving of messages. However, make sure to turn off Airplane Mode to send queued messages.
Conclusion
Alright, folks, we’ve ventured deep into the realm of Telegram’s “last seen” feature—how to hide it, fake it, and the precautions you need to keep in mind.
We covered some pretty unique ways to get the job done, from Using Airplane Mode to Leveraging VPN Services and even Utilizing Third-Party Apps.
And let’s not forget about making sure your new stealthy online status actually works with our verification guide.
So go ahead, give these methods a try and take control of your online presence on Telegram. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry, so don’t skip out on those safety precautions.