How to See Someone's Last Seen on WhatsApp

Elsa Updated on Sep 4, 2025 Filed to: Parent Control

Last Seen and Online are two key features of WhatsApp. 'Online' status shows you that this specific contact is using WhatsApp, while 'Last Seen' means the last time that contact was online. These two features are helpful to let you know the status of your contacts in WhatsApp. So, how do you see when someone was last active on WhatsApp? Well, this is what we're going to discuss in this post.

see when someone was last active on WhatsApp

To understand WhatsApp's last seen status, even when hidden, skip to Part 3.

How to See Last Seen on WhatsApp

The WhatsApp last seen status appears with the message showing "Last seen today at 19:22" But when your contacts haven't been online on WhatsApp for weeks or months, it usually displays the date without time.

Now that you know that it is possible to see WhatsApp last seen of your contacts. Let's see how to do so:

Step 1. Launch WhatsApp, whether on your Android or iPhone.

Step 2. Generally, you have to open a chat to check the date and time someone last used WhatsApp. So, go to the "Chats" tab.

WhatsApp Chats

Step 3. Open any conversation, and that contact's WhatsApp status is visible just below their name. It can show you "Last seen today at 13:25" or "Online".

last seen on WhatsApp

The process can also be applied if you are using WhatsApp on your desktop or laptop.

Why Can't I See Someone's Last Active on WhatsApp

It is a possible scenario where you may follow the above steps and still fail to see someone's last seen status on WhatsApp.

WhatsApp last seen not showing

But why is the last seen not showing under the WhatsApp contact's name? Here are several potential reasons:

  • You are connected to an unstable internet connection.
  • You have hidden your last seen, so you can't see others' last seen.
  • Your contacts might have hidden their last active on WhatsApp.
  • You haven't saved each other as a contact and haven't chatted with each other before.
  • You might have been blocked by someone on WhatsApp.
  • You might open a group chat which won't display each member's last active status.
  • If the above reasons aren't right, there might be temporary bugs within the WhatsApp software.

To solve the last seen not showing on WhatsApp, you can try to reconnect to a stable network, enable your WhatsApp privacy settings, ensure you haven't hidden your own last seen, update WhatsApp, or log out of your WhatsApp account and back in.

How to Monitor WhatsApp Usage When Last Seen is Hidden

The biggest barrier that stops WhatsApp from showing the last seen status is your contacts' privacy settings. Therefore, is it possible to know when someone was last active on WhatsApp even when they have hidden their last active status?

Yes, while WhatsApp itself doesn't offer a feature to bypass privacy settings, third-party applications like AirDroid Parental Control can provide insights into app usage on a target device, helping you understand when apps like WhatsApp were last used by your child.

monitor WhatsApp screen with AirDroid

AirDroid can show how often your child visited WhatsApp and the approximate times they used it. Besides, it is able to track WhatsApp notifications and monitor what your child is doing on their phone screen. Let's see how to use AirDroid to understand your child's WhatsApp usage:

Step 1. Install AirDroid Parental Control on your mobile phone, or you can visit its web version.

Step 2. Download the companion app to your child's device. **Ensure you have their consent or legal right to monitor their device.**

Step 3. Then, complete the setup by following the on-screen prompts.

Step 4. Now, tap on "Today's Event" and locate "WhatsApp" to see how much time your child spent on it and the last approximate time they used it.

AirDroid Parental Control WhatsApp usage

Important Note: AirDroid Parental Control helps parents monitor their child's device usage for safety. It does not bypass WhatsApp's privacy settings to show "Last Seen" status directly. Always prioritize open communication and ensure responsible, ethical, and legal use of monitoring tools.

Bonus: How to Hide Your Last Seen Status on WhatsApp

By default, WhatsApp has your last seen and online status set to allow everyone to see it. Of course, you can control these things by simply using the available privacy settings on WhatsApp. To hide your last active on WhatsApp, follow the steps below:

Step 1. On the WhatsApp application, navigate to "Settings" from the bottom on iPhone or by tapping the three dots in the upper-right corner on Android.

WhatsApp settings option on Android

Step 2. Select "Account" and go to "Privacy".

Step 3. Tap "Last seen and online".

Step 4. Now, you can adjust who can see your last seen information on WhatsApp. To disable the WhatsApp last seen status from everyone, please toggle the 'Nobody' option here.

WhatsApp last seen settings

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding how to view the last seen status can enhance communication and provide a sense of connection. When considering monitoring tools for app usage, especially for children, it's crucial to approach with sensitivity, prioritize open communication, and always respect privacy boundaries and legal considerations.

What Does Last Seen Mean on WhatsApp?
Elsa
Elsa
The WhatsApp 'last seen' refers to the last time your contact last used WhatsApp. Generally, it appears under the contact's name when you open your chat with him or her.
Can I See Last Seen on WhatsApp if I'm Blocked?
Elsa
Elsa
No. You can no longer view the WhatsApp last seen or online status of the contact who blocked you.
Can I Change the Last Seen Time on WhatsApp?
Elsa
Elsa
No. WhatsApp last seen reflects the exact time you were last active on this platform. There's no option within WhatsApp to change your actual last seen time.
How to Know If Someone Freezes Last Seen on Whatsapp?
Elsa
Elsa
On WhatsApp, if someone has frozen their last seen timestamp, it means their last seen timestamp remains unchanged, but they are online. Here are some signs if someone got frozen last seen: consistent last seen timestamp, no available online status, and no typing indicator.
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Elsa
Elsa
Elsa has worked on a number of iOS & Android solutions, she can always find her way around almost any application. She is an accomplished, skilled and versatile writer with more than 7 years of technical article writing experience.
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