If you’ve landed here, it’s probably because you’ve found yourself in a messaging muddle. You’re looking at a contact on WhatsApp and wondering, “Why is someone’s WhatsApp last seen not updating?”
The answer might be simpler than you think or, in some cases, more complicated. But don’t fret; we will unravel the mystery behind this issue.
In the next few sections, we’ll cover everything from understanding WhatsApp’s ‘Last Seen‘ feature to the many reasons that could explain why someone’s ‘Last Seen‘ isn’t updating.
Why Is Someone’s WhatsApp “Last Seen” Not Updating
Here are the seven (7) reasons why this is so;
Reason 1: The User Has Changed Their ‘Last Seen’ Settings
This is perhaps the most straightforward reason you might not see someone’s last seen status on WhatsApp. Users have the option to change their ‘Last Seen‘ settings to “Nobody,” “My Contacts“, or “Everyone.”
If they’ve chosen “Nobody“, their last seen status won’t be visible to anyone. If they’ve set it to “My Contacts”, and you’re not saved as a contact in their phone, you won’t be able to see their last seen either.
Ever wondered, “How can you tell if someone has turned off last seen?”
The answer is pretty simple. They’ve likely turned off their last seen if you cannot see a timestamp next to their profile photo.
Reason 2: You’ve Been Blocked by the User
Another possible reason why you might not see someone’s last seen status on WhatsApp could be that the user has blocked you.
If a person has blocked you on WhatsApp, you won’t be able to see their last seen status or any updates to their profile picture. It’s not the most pleasant thought, but it’s sometimes an unfortunate reality.
This might raise a question: “Can you be blocked on WhatsApp and still see last seen?”
The answer is typically no. If a user has blocked you, their last seen status will not be visible to you.
Reason 3: The User’s Phone is Off or in Airplane Mode
This reason might seem obvious, but it’s easy to overlook. If someone’s phone is off, in airplane mode, or not connected to the internet, their ‘Last Seen‘ status won’t update.
The ‘Last Seen‘ timestamp only updates when the user has an active internet connection and opens WhatsApp.
If you’re asking, “Can someone freeze their last seen on WhatsApp?“, well, in a way, yes, they can.
All they need to do is turn off their device or switch it to airplane mode before opening WhatsApp. This will prevent the ‘Last Seen’ timestamp from updating.
Reason 4: You’re Not Saved as a Contact in the User’s Phone
WhatsApp allows users to manage who can see their last seen status. If a user has set their last seen status visibility to “My Contacts”, only people saved in their contact list can view their last seen status.
So if you’re not saved as a contact in their phone, you won’t be able to see their last seen status.
This is a less-known feature of WhatsApp, but it’s there for added privacy. The person may not even realize you can’t see their last seen status if they don’t have you saved in their contacts.
Reason 5: User is Using a Modified Version of WhatsApp
This reason might be a bit of a surprise, but it’s a valid one. Some people use modified versions of WhatsApp, like GBWhatsApp or WhatsApp Plus.
These apps have additional features compared to the standard WhatsApp app, and one of those features is the ability to freeze the ‘Last Seen’ status.
Ever wondered, “How do you know if someone froze their last seen on WhatsApp?”
If they’re always showing as ‘Last Seen‘ at a specific time, even if you know they’ve been online, they might use one of these modified apps.
Reason 6: The User is Not Actively Using WhatsApp
Another possible explanation for someone’s WhatsApp last seen not updating could be that they aren’t actively using the app.
This doesn’t necessarily mean they’ve uninstalled WhatsApp or their device is off. They might have the app running in the background without actively opening it or checking their messages.
In these situations, their ‘Last Seen‘ status won’t change because, according to WhatsApp’s functionality, the user is not actively ‘using’ the application.
The app is in a state of sleep until the user opens it and checks their messages.
To clear the air, “How do you know if someone froze their last seen on WhatsApp?”
If they haven’t opened the app for a while but are still receiving messages, that could be an indication. But remember, unless they confirm it, you won’t know.
Reason 7: Network Issues
Network issues are last on our list, but by no means less important. A strong and stable internet connection is paramount for WhatsApp to function correctly.
If your contact’s internet connection is spotty, it could be causing their ‘Last Seen’ status not to update.
Here’s how it works: if your friend’s phone is unstable or weak, WhatsApp might not be able to connect to the servers to update the ‘Last Seen‘ status.
In other words, even if your contact is online and using WhatsApp, you might not see the usual updates due to these network issues.
Answering another commonly asked question, “Can you be blocked on WhatsApp and still see last seen?” – the answer is no.
You won’t see the ‘Last Seen‘ status if you’re blocked. However, if the ‘Last Seen‘ status is not updating, the cause could be network issues, as discussed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How can you tell if someone has turned off last seen?
If you can’t see a ‘Last Seen’ timestamp next to someone’s name on WhatsApp, they may have turned off their last seen status, blocked you, or you’re not saved as a contact in their phone.
Q2: Can I still see someone’s online status if they’ve turned off their last seen?
Yes, you can. The ‘Online’ status differs from the ‘Last Seen’ status. Even if a user has turned off their ‘Last Seen‘, you can still see when they are online, as long as they haven’t blocked you.
Q3: Can someone be online on WhatsApp without their last seen updating?
If a user has frozen their last seen status using a modified version of WhatsApp, they can be online without updating their ‘Last Seen‘ timestamp.
But remember, using these versions is against WhatsApp’s terms of service and can lead to the user’s account being banned.
Conclusion
Navigating WhatsApp’s features and understanding how it works can be tricky. As we’ve learned today, there are several reasons why someone’s ‘Last Seen‘ status may not be updated.
It can be due to privacy settings, technical glitches, the user’s phone being off, you not being saved as a contact or even a recent software update.
Whether you’re dealing with these issues or just curious, we hope this article has provided the answers you sought.
Remember, WhatsApp is designed to protect user privacy, and the ‘Last Seen’ feature is a part of this.
It allows users to control who sees their online status and when contributing to a safer and more private messaging environment.
