Have you ever found yourself staring at a WhatsApp chat, wondering if the other person is online? In 2025, WhatsApp has over 2.8 billion users and is still one of the most-used messaging apps in the world, but figuring out if someone’s active isn’t always straightforward.
Privacy settings have gotten stricter, and features like hidden “last seen” or read receipts can make it tough to tell when someone’s around.
Still, there are some clever ways to spot online activity, without needing to be a tech expert. Maybe you're waiting for a message, or just feeling a bit curious—knowing when someone is online can be super helpful.
In this guide, you’ll learn 5 simple and effective ways to help you understand how to know if someone is online on WhatsApp in 2025. Keep reading!
Part 1. How to Know If Someone is Online on WhatsApp
Knowing if someone is online on WhatsApp is quite easy. All you need to do is make sure you understand how to check. Let’s discuss 5 methods for this;
Method 1. Look for the “Online” label in a chat
The Online label is the most direct and reliable way to check someone’s online status.
What does WhatsApp online mean? If a person is actively using WhatsApp and has the app open in the foreground, you’ll see a green “Online” label right below their name in the chat window. This label disappears the moment they switch apps or go offline, so it’s a real-time indicator.
Follow these steps to see the online label to know if someone is online on WhatsApp;
Step 1. Open the WhatsApp app on your phone.
Step 2. Scroll through your chats and tap the conversation with the person you're checking on.
Step 3. At the top of the screen, just below their name, look for the “Online” label.
Pros
Instant confirmation of their activity.
No need for third-party tools.
Simple and fast.
Cons
Only shows when the person is actively using WhatsApp.
Doesn’t show recent activity history.
May be blocked by privacy settings.
Method 2. Check the “Last Seen” timestamp
If someone isn’t currently online, their “Last Seen” time can give you a helpful clue. This shows when they last opened WhatsApp. While not as real-time as the “Online” label, it still gives you a sense of how recently they were active.
Here are the steps to check last seen timestamp;
Step 1. Open WhatsApp and go to the chat with the person.
Step 2. Under their name, look for text like “Last seen today at 9:33 am” or something similar.
Pros
Useful for tracking recent activity.
Simple to check from any chat.
Doesn’t require real-time syncing.
Cons
Doesn’t mean they’re online now.
Can be disabled completely in privacy settings.
You can’t view theirs if yours is hidden.
Method 3. Watch for typing or recording indicators
If someone is actively typing or recording a voice message, WhatsApp shows real-time activity indicators like “typing…” or “recording audio…” under their name in the chat. These are strong signs that the person is online and engaged with the conversation.
Here is how to watch for typing or recording indicators;
Step 1. Open the WhatsApp chat with the person.
Step 2. Keep the chat open and watch the area just under their name.
Step 3. If they start typing or recording, you’ll see a live indicator appear.
Pros
Real-time confirmation of activity.
Doesn’t rely on last seen or online status.
Good clue even with hidden “online” settings.
Cons
Only visible if they’re actively typing/recording in your chat.
Easy to miss if you’re not watching closely.
Won’t show if they’re just reading messages.
Method 4. Use WhatsApp Web to check online status
WhatsApp Web can be surprisingly useful for monitoring someone’s online status, especially if you’re working on a laptop or desktop. It syncs with your phone, and some users find it updates faster than the mobile app when it comes to showing real-time status.
Here are the steps to use WhatsApp Web to check someone’s online status;
Step 1. Go to WhatsApp Web on your browser.
Step 2. On your phone, open WhatsApp > Settings > Linked Devices and scan the QR code on your computer screen.
Step 3. Once linked, click on the person’s chat and check under their name for the “Online” label.
Pros
Fast updates, especially on desktop.
Convenient while working on a computer.
Great for longer sessions or monitoring.
Cons
Requires setup with QR code.
Needs your phone to stay connected.
Still subject to privacy settings.
Method 5. Use third-party tools to monitor online activity
Sometimes, checking someone’s WhatsApp status isn’t enough—you may want a clearer picture of their activity, like who they’re chatting with, when they’re online, and even what they’re sharing. That’s where third-party monitoring tools like Msafely come in.
Msafely is a highly trusted WhatsApp activity tracker designed to give you deeper insights into another person’s phone usage. You can monitor someone’s WhatsApp calls, online status, messages, and more.
It works on both iPhone and Android devices, and once set up, runs silently in the background without the other person knowing. Its real-time sync system means you’ll get continuous updates right to your control panel—even if messages or calls are deleted from the target device.
Key features of Msafely
- WhatsApp online activity tracking
WhatsApp online activity tracking with Msafely lets you monitor when a contact is actively online or offline in real-time, providing detailed insights into their WhatsApp usage. This feature helps you stay informed about their activity, including message exchanges and call logs, without needing physical access to their device.
- WhatsApp chat monitoring
Read every incoming and outgoing WhatsApp message, including deleted ones. You’ll have access to full conversations with timestamps and contact details.
- WhatsApp call log tracking
Track all WhatsApp voice and video calls. Msafely records call times, durations, and the names or numbers of all contacts involved.
- WhatsApp Media File Access
You can see all photos, videos, audio clips, voice notes, and documents sent or received on WhatsApp. You can even retrieve deleted media files.
How to set up Msafely to monitor WhatsApp on another phone
Step 1. Go to the official Msafely website and create an account with your email. The signup process is simple and quick.
Step 2. Select whether you're tracking an Android or iPhone device. Then, pick a subscription plan that fits your needs.
Step 3. After setup, log in to your Msafely dashboard. Here, you can view WhatsApp messages, call logs, media files, and even GPS data—all in real time, from any device with internet access.
Pros
Full access to WhatsApp activity (messages, media, calls).
Tracks activity even if content is deleted.
Includes location, geofencing, and browser history.
Compatible with both Android and iOS.
Works across WhatsApp and multiple other apps.
Real-time updates sent to a private control panel.
Cons
Paid subscription required.
Part 2. What is the Best Way to Know If Someone is Online on WhatsApp
After reviewing all five methods, it’s clear that Msafely offers the most powerful and complete solution. Unlike WhatsApp’s built-in features that depend on visibility settings, Msafely gives you real-time access to a person's WhatsApp activity—whether they’re online, who they’re messaging, what they’re sharing, and even if they delete something.
But it doesn’t stop there. Msafely monitors calls, photos, social media apps, live location, emails, and browser history—all from one secure dashboard.
With encrypted data transmission, stealth mode, and cross-platform support for both Android and iOS, it’s designed to be both discreet and safe.
| Method | What it does | Accuracy | Real-time updates | Ease of use | Best for |
| Msafely | Tracks WhatsApp usage, messages, calls, media, and more | Best | Yes | Very easy | Parents, employers, in-depth monitoring |
| Online label | Shows if someone is online in a chat | Good (if visible) | No | Easy | Quick status checks |
| Last seen | Displays last active time | Decent | No | Easy | Casual use |
| Typing/Recording indicators | Shows typing or voice message status | Accurate (momentarily) | Yes | Easy | Short-term clues |
| WhatsApp Web | View online status via web session | Reliable | Yes | Easy | Casual use |
Part 3. Why You Might Not See Online Status
It can be frustrating when you’re trying to check someone's online status on WhatsApp, only to find that it's not visible.
There are several reasons for this, ranging from privacy settings to technical issues. Let’s take a closer look at the factors that could be affecting your ability to see someone's online status.
#1. Hidden privacy settings
Many users choose to hide their last seen or online status for privacy reasons. With the use of WhatsApp's numerous privacy settings, users can limit who can view their activity.
If someone has set their last seen or online status to "Nobody" or "My Contacts," you won’t be able to view it unless you’re in their contacts list. This is a common way for people to manage their privacy, especially if they don’t want strangers or casual acquaintances to know when they’re active on WhatsApp.
#2. Blocked contacts
You will no longer be able to view someone's profile picture, last seen status, or any updates they publish on their status if they have blocked you.
Additionally, when you’re blocked, you won’t be able to send them messages. While WhatsApp doesn’t notify you when you’re blocked, the absence of these indicators is a clear sign that you've been blocked.
#3. Read receipt settings
Users can turn off read receipts on WhatsApp, which keeps other people from knowing when their messages have been viewed.
If you or the other person has turned off read receipts, this can also affect the visibility of online activity. While this primarily impacts message reading status, it can sometimes affect your ability to see certain real-time activity, especially in group chats.
#4. You’ve hidden your own last seen status
If you’ve decided to hide your own last seen status from others, you may not be able to see theirs either. This is because WhatsApp applies a rule where if you hide your status from others, you lose the ability to view theirs as well. This is an intentional privacy measure to ensure mutual privacy settings.
#5. Temporary internet issues
Sometimes, a simple internet connection issue on either end can prevent WhatsApp from displaying online status correctly. If either you or the other person has a poor or intermittent connection, WhatsApp might fail to load the information you’re trying to view, including online status or updates.
#6. WhatsApp updates and app issues
WhatsApp occasionally releases updates or undergoes maintenance, which can lead to temporary disruptions in how features function. These updates may cause delays in the online status feature, or glitches in how status information is displayed.
It's always a good idea to check if you have the latest version of the app or if there’s ongoing maintenance that could be affecting performance.
Part 4. Conclusion
Even though there are several ways to check if someone is online on WhatsApp, Msafely stands out as the most comprehensive and reliable option. It not only tracks real-time online activity but also provides access to WhatsApp messages, calls, media, and more.
Unlike basic features like the "Online" label or "Last Seen," Msafely gives you deeper insights, including the ability to monitor deleted content and track location..
Msafely is ideal for anyone looking for a powerful and secure solution to monitor WhatsApp activity.
Part 5. FAQs
Q1. How can I use WhatsApp to see if someone is online?
You can check by looking for the “Online” label under their name in a chat when they’re actively using WhatsApp. If it's not visible, they might have privacy settings restricting it.
Q2. Does the “Typing” indicator mean someone is online?
Yes, if you see “typing…” or “recording audio…” in the chat, it means they are online and actively engaging with WhatsApp.
Q3. Why might I not see someone’s online status even if they’re active?
They may have hidden their status from people who aren’t saved in their contacts, or you may have been blocked, preventing you from seeing their activity.
Q4. How accurate is tracking WhatsApp activity with third-party tools?
Third-party tools like Msafely provide real-time updates and accurate tracking of WhatsApp activity, including deleted messages, calls, and media.
Q5. Can I see someone's WhatsApp activity even if they have disabled read receipts?
Yes, third-party tools like Msafely can still monitor WhatsApp activity, including messages and calls, even if read receipts are disabled on the app.