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“Sneak a Peek: Read Messages Incognito and Avoid the ‘Seen’ Feature.”

11 September, 2024

While most internet-based messaging apps like Messenger, Zalo, and Telegram usually notify the sender when their message has been read, there are times when you might want to stay “incognito” or read messages without the sender knowing. Here’s how you can do it:

Click This Button to Read Zalo and Messenger Messages Without Triggering the “Seen” Feature

1. Hide Your Online Status on Zalo and Facebook Messenger

To avoid being spotted online, you can turn off your online status on both Zalo and Facebook Messenger. For Zalo, go to “Settings” -> “Privacy” and disable “Show Online Status.” On Facebook Messenger, navigate to “Settings” -> “Active Status” and turn off the “Show when you’re active” option.

2. Disable Read Receipts

If you don’t want others to know that you’ve read their messages, disable the “read receipts” feature. On Facebook Messenger, you can enable airplane mode before reading messages to avoid sending a “seen” receipt. On Zalo, go to “Settings” -> “Privacy” and turn off the “Show ‘Seen’ Status” feature.

3. Block or Restrict Users on Zalo and Facebook Messenger

For complete anonymity from specific individuals, consider blocking them on both platforms. On Zalo, open the chat with the person, select the three-dot icon, and choose “Block this User.” On Facebook Messenger, open the chat, select “Info,” and choose “Block.”

4. Utilize Secret Conversations on Facebook Messenger

Facebook Messenger offers “Secret Conversations,” which provides end-to-end encryption and self-destructing messages after a certain period. To use this, open the chat with the person, tap the “i” icon, and enable “Secret Conversations.”

5. Hide Chats on Zalo

To keep important conversations discreet, you can hide them on Zalo. Simply long-press the chat you want to hide, select “Hide Chat,” and set a password to protect it. This chat will no longer appear on your main screen.

6. Set App Locks for Zalo and Messenger

To enhance security, consider setting app locks or using fingerprint/Face ID to access these apps. On Zalo, go to “Settings” -> “Account and Security” -> “Zalo App Lock.” For Facebook Messenger, navigate to “Settings” -> “Privacy” -> “App Lock.”

7. Disable Message Notifications on Your Lock Screen

To prevent others from seeing your message content when your phone is locked, disable notifications on your lock screen. On Zalo, go to “Settings” -> “Notifications” and turn off “Show Message Content.” On Facebook Messenger, navigate to “Settings” -> “Notifications & Sounds” and disable “Message Previews.”

8. Use a Pseudonym or Unrecognizable Profile Picture

For true incognito mode, consider using an alias or a profile picture that doesn’t reveal your face. This makes it harder for others to identify you on Zalo and Facebook Messenger.

9. Log Out of Your Accounts When Not in Use

If you share a device with others, remember to log out of your Zalo and Facebook Messenger accounts when you’re done. This safeguards your privacy and prevents unauthorized access.

10. Control App Access Permissions on Your Phone

To ensure that no one can access Zalo and Facebook Messenger without your consent, manage app access permissions. You can use third-party app lock tools or built-in phone features to protect your privacy.

Frequently asked questions

Incognito mode is a privacy feature offered by some messaging apps that allows users to read messages without the sender knowing. It prevents the ‘seen’ feature from being activated, keeping your read status hidden.

To use incognito mode, open the messaging app and locate the incognito or secret mode feature. This could be an option within the app’s settings or a separate mode that you can toggle on and off. Once enabled, you can read messages incognito without leaving any read receipts.

While incognito mode offers privacy, it may also disable certain features within the messaging app. For example, you might not be able to send messages or interact with certain media files while in incognito mode. Additionally, keep in mind that the sender may still know that someone has read the message if other recipients have the ‘seen’ feature enabled.

Use incognito mode sparingly and only when necessary for privacy. Be mindful of the limitations of incognito mode and plan your interactions accordingly. Additionally, consider the sender’s perspective and whether they may find it suspicious if their messages go unacknowledged for extended periods.

Check the privacy settings of your messaging app to ensure that your read status and online activity are not visible to others. Also, avoid switching between incognito and regular mode frequently, as this may leave a digital trail that others can track.