How to know if someone read your text messages on Android (2024)

Some of the most popular texting apps like Google Messages, WhatsApp, and Telegram show you if someone has read your message. Each app has a different indicator for read receipts. This tutorial shows you how to check whether someone has read your text, whether you use the Messages app that built-in on all Android phones or a third party messaging app.

Check if your text was read on Google Messages

The Messages app is the default messaging app on Android. While OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) like Samsung, Oppo, and Xiaomi pack different apps to handle messages, you can check for the Google Messages app on your phone or download it from the Play Store.

The Messages app features RCS (Rich Communication Services) chat that uses Wi-Fi or cellular data for messaging and offers high-res media sharing, location sharing, typing indicators, and more with end-to-end encryption. You must ask the recipient to turn on RCS chat and activate the read receipts option in their Messages app. It is the only way to see if someone read what you wrote.

1. Open Messages on Android.
2. Tap the circular account picture in the upper-right corner.
3. Tap Messages settings.

   

   

4. Tap RCS chats.
5. Turn on the Send read receipts toggle.

   

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The option lets others know you have read their messages. From now on, when you send messages via RCS chat, you'll see a double check mark when the text reaches the recipient's inbox. When the person reads the messages, it changes to color-filled double check marks.

Check if your text was read on WhatsApp

WhatsApp's take on read receipts differs from the default Messages app on Android devices. When you send a message on WhatsApp, a single tick indicates that the message has reached the company servers. A double gray check mark means it sent the message to the person's phone. Two blue check marks confirm they read the message.

If the person glances over your messages from the WhatsApp home without opening the thread, you won't see a blue checkmark in the conversation.

As a privacy option, WhatsApp allows you to hide read receipts for your account. That way, others can't see if you read their messages. But it's a two-way street. When you turn off the read receipts option for your account to stop others from knowing you read their text, you won't know when they read yours.

If you turned off the read receipts for your WhatsApp messages, follow the steps below to activate it.

1. Launch WhatsApp on your Android phone.
2. Tap the three-dotmenu in the upper-right corner.
3. Open Settings.

   

   

4. Go to the Privacy menu.
5. Turn on the Read receipts toggle.

   

   

You've done your part. If the recipient turns off the Read receipts toggle on their WhatsApp account, you can't check if your text was read (and they can't see when you read theirs).

WhatsApp lets you see when the person opens the chat thread and reads your messages.

1. Open a chat thread on WhatsApp.
2. Long tap a message.
3. Tap the i (info) button at the top.
4. You'll see a delivery report that includes when the message was delivered and seen, along with the time and date details.

   

   

Check if someone has read your text on the WhatsApp group

If you send a message to a WhatsApp group, you can check which members opened the group and read your message.

1. Open a group conversation in WhatsApp.
2. Long-tap your sent message and tap the info menu at the top.
3. Check detailed info with the date and time from the following menu.

   

   

Your message in a WhatsApp group shows a blue checkmark when every group member reads it.

Check if the text was read on Facebook Messenger

Facebook Messenger uses icons to let you know if someone read your message. An empty circle with a blue checkmark indicates a sent message. You will see a filled circle when the message reaches the recipient's inbox.

The app replaces the filled-in circle with a tiny account picture when the person reads your message. Tap a message to check the Seen status with the time.

Unlike WhatsApp or Google Messages, you can't turn off read receipts on Facebook Messenger.

Check if your text was read on Telegram

Telegram shows a single checkmark when you send a message. It turns into double checkmarks when the recipient opens the conversation and reads your message.

1. Open Telegram and send a message in any conversation.
2. When the person reads the message, the app shows a double checkmark below the sent message.

   

   

Unlike WhatsApp, Telegram doesn't offer a message info menu. You can't check when someone reads your message on the platform. You can't turn off read receipts either.

Check if your text was read on Skype

Skype isn't as popular as WhatsApp and Messenger. Still, many use it to stay in touch with friends and family. Here's how to check if someone read your text on the platform.

1. Open any conversation on Skype and send a message.
2. When the recipient reads your message, their small account picture appears below the sent message. Tap it to confirm if they read the message.

   

   

Have transparency during conversations

Most messaging apps let you see if someone has read your text in a private conversation or a group chat. Although group texts are a fun way to plan events with family and friends, the constant notifications can get annoying. You can mute group notifications on most messaging apps and reduce distractions. And if Google Messages is your go-to texting app, try these tips and tricks for a better experience.