IF YOU’VE ever wanted to read a WhatsApp message without the sender knowing, you’re in luck.

A simple hack on iPhone lets you view your texts while dodging the app’s dreaded blue ticks.

There's a simple way to read a WhatsApp message without alerting the sender

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There’s a simple way to read a WhatsApp message without alerting the senderCredit: Alamy Live News

Normally when you read a text, blue ticks appear for the sender – but iPhone users can read messages freely without triggering the ticks.

Most people trying to avoid “read receipts” simply use the Airplane Mode method, which shuts off data so the sender’s WhatsApp won’t know you’ve read a text.

But that method isn’t great, because as soon as you turn Airplane Mode off the blue ticks appear – meaning you have to stay offline.

You can also turn off read receipts entirely, but then you won’t get to see them from other users, which is frustrating.

However, The Sun has uncovered a method that works even better than both of these tricks – and doesn’t require any setting changes.

Normally when you read a text, blue ticks appear for the sender – but iPhone users can read messages freely without triggering the ticks

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Normally when you read a text, blue ticks appear for the sender – but iPhone users can read messages freely without triggering the ticksCredit: Getty Images – Getty

How to read WhatsApp texts without triggering blue ticks

Some older iPhone models come with a little-known feature called 3D Touch.

The screen has an extra layer of touch sensitivity in it, so by pressing hard on the display, you can bring up new options.

If you tap once on a WhatsApp chat, you’ll be taken straight into the messages.

But if you press hard and hold on the WhatsApp chat, you’ll get a full-screen preview of what’s inside.

This lets you read around a dozen of the latest messages sent in this chat without triggering the WhatsApp blue ticks.

But be careful – if you press too hard, you’ll be taken straight into the full chat window, and the blue ticks will appear for the sender.

Once you’re done, simply let go and you’ll be taken back to the main chat window.

Sadly this only works on specific iPhone models – the following iPhone models support 3D Touch:

  • iPhone 6s
  • iPhone 7
  • iPhone 7 Plus
  • iPhone 8
  • iPhone 8 Plus
  • iPhone X
  • iPhone XS
  • iPhone XS Max

iPhone tricks to try today

Here are some of the best…

  • Typing cursor – When typing, hold down the space bar to turn your keyboard into a trackpad, letting you move around words and sentences more easily
  • Close all Safari tabs – To do this in one go, simply hold the overlapped squares in the bottom right-hand corner, and press close all tabs
  • Delete lots of photos quickly – Hold down on a photo and then drag your finger diagonally in Photos to select lots of images at once, then hit delete
  • Convert currency quickly – Swipe down from the top of your Home screen (or swipe left to right on an iPhone X or later model), then tap in the bar and type a currency (like $200) and it will automatically covert to your local currency
  • Check if you’re due a battery upgrade – Batteries inside smartphones degrade over time. Just go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health, and check out the Maximum Capacity reading. Generally a battery is considered worn when you’re down to 80% capacity. If you’re below, you can buy a battery swap from Apple
  • Move apps around faster – Hold an app until it starts wiggling, then (while still holding) tap other apps, causing them to stack so you can move them around easier

How to dodge the blue ticks on newer iPhones

You can also avoid read receipts on newer iPhones, but you’ll have to jump into your settings.

Open up settings, then tap More options > Settings > Account > Privacy and turn off Read receipts.

The blue ticks will no longer appear for senders when you read their texts – but there’s a catch.

Those pesky read receipts will also no longer appear for you when recipients of your messages read them.

That’s a sacrifice some will be willing to make, but others may deem it a step too far…

WhatsApp adds new SHOPPING button that lets you buy food or clothes from virtual stores

In other news, Donald Trump has banned eight major Chinese apps from operating in the United States as part of efforts to protect national security.

A hoax WhatsApp message warning that you may be hacked is spreading online.

And, sex tech company Lovense has just launched a group feature in its Lovense Remote app that sex toy fans could use for virtual group orgies.

What do you think of the WhatsApp hack? Let us know in the comments…


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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk

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