This article explains how to see if someone has read your message using iMessage, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using iMessage
Step 1. Make sure the recipient of the message is also using iMessage
In fact, this is the only way to know if he has read your message.
- If outgoing messages are blue, the recipient uses iMessage.
- If outgoing messages are green, the recipient is using a mobile phone or tablet on which iMessage has not been installed (probably an Android device). In this case, you will not be able to know if he has read your messages.
Step 2. Activate read receipts
If both you and your recipient have activated this feature, you will both be able to know when your messages have been read. If only you have activated it, the recipient will be able to know if you have read his messages, while you will not be able to know when he has read yours. Here's how to turn on read receipts:
- Open the "Settings" of the iPhone;
- Scroll down and tap "Messages";
- Swipe the "Send Read Receipts" button to activate it (it will turn green).
Step 3. Connect to the internet
IMessage messages are sent over the internet, so make sure you are connected to the Wi-Fi or mobile network. If you are not online, the message will be sent as a normal text message and you will not be able to know when it was read.
Step 4. Open "Messages"
The icon is a green and white speech bubble. It is usually found at the bottom of the main screen.
Step 5. Write or reply to a message
Make sure "iMessage" appears in the input area, as it indicates that you are connected to the internet and that your recipient will be able to receive the message on iMessage.
Step 6. Send the message
Once you have sent a message on iMessage, the word "Delivered" will appear below.
Step 7. Wait for the read receipt to appear
If the recipient has activated read receipts, "Read" will appear below the message.
Method 2 of 3: Using WhatsApp
Step 1. Open WhatsApp on your iPhone or iPad
The icon looks like a green and white speech bubble containing a telephone handset. Read receipts are activated automatically on WhatsApp. As a result, by default, you can see if the recipient has read the message.
Step 2. Write a new message or reply to an existing one
Step 3. Tap the submit button
The icon looks like a blue circle containing a white paper airplane.
Step 4. Look at the checkmarks that appear below the sent message (located at the bottom right)
- If the message you sent has not been delivered, a single gray check mark will appear. This means that your recipient hasn't opened WhatsApp since you sent him the message.
- If your recipient opened WhatsApp after you sent them the message, you will see two gray check marks.
- If your recipient has read the message, the two check marks will turn blue.
Method 3 of 3: Using Facebook Messenger
Step 1. Open Facebook Messenger on your device
The icon looks like a blue speech bubble containing a white lightning bolt. It is usually found on the main screen. By default, Messenger automatically confirms reading sent messages.
Step 2. Tap the name of the person you want to send a message to
This will open a conversation with the user in question.
Step 3. Type your message and tap the send button
The icon looks like a blue paper airplane and is at the bottom right.
Step 4. Check the status of the message
- If a blue check mark appears in a white circle, this means the message has been sent, but the recipient hasn't opened Messenger yet.
- If a white check mark appears in a blue circle, this means the recipient opened Messenger after you sent them the message, but hasn't read it yet.
- If the recipient's profile picture appears in a circle below the message, it has been read.
