It is becoming increasingly difficult to disconnect due to the hyperconnectivity enabled by smartphones. Although workers cannot be forced to answer calls outside working hours, messages are often still sent and a response is expected. And when it comes to friends and family, it’s not always easy to take a “break” from instant messaging communications without having to block other WhatsApp users who might be upset to find out.
WhatsApp allows you to activate different modes in which the user is not disturbed by notifications and incoming messages.
This can cause anxiety and be annoying, as no one wants to think about work during their free time and sometimes you just want a break from so many messages and WhatsApp groups.
Sometimes turning off the phone or blocking contacts is not a viable option to maintain some peace in the omnipresence associated with an instant messaging platform like WhatsApp. That option could have negative consequences. Below are some useful tricks to avoid being disturbed by WhatsApp without having to give explanations.
Tricks to live peacefully despite WhatsApp
– “Do Not Disturb” Mode: Both Android and iPhone have a “Do Not Disturb” mode that can be activated via a shortcut in the notifications area. Some models have a circular icon with a horizontal bar in the middle, while others have a moon shape, but all indicate “do not disturb.”
When this mode is activated, you can include certain exceptions to receive notifications from specific contacts. WhatsApp respects the activation of this mode on both operating systems. Therefore, WhatsApp calls and messages will not light up the screen or make the phone ring, except in the case of exceptions.
– Mute contacts: WhatsApp allows you to mute chats from a contact for different periods of time: 8 hours, one week, or forever. This means you won’t receive notifications from that chat unless you open the app.
The best part is that the other user will not be notified that they have been muted. To activate it, simply press and hold the chat of the person you want to mute. Then tap the speaker icon with a bar to access the menu and select how long you want to mute that contact.
Archive conversations and disable confirmations
– Archived conversations: This option allows you to see notifications of new messages only if you expressly access the archived chats section. This way, you don’t receive notifications or sounds from the phone.
To archive a chat or group, press and hold the chat and tap the folder icon with a downward arrow. To access these chats, go to the archived chats section, and to remove them, repeat the process by tapping the folder icon with an upward arrow.
– Disable last seen and read receipts: A drastic measure is to disable the last seen function and the blue double check in WhatsApp. By doing so, contacts will not be able to see when you last opened WhatsApp or receive confirmation of when you have read the messages they sent.
The path to disable these functions is through the Settings menu (on iOS) or Settings (on Android), where you enter the Privacy section. There you can separately configure whethe
