How to See if Someone Read Your Text on iPhone & iPad

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Do you want to know if someone read your text? If you use iMessage, WhatsApp, or Facebook Messenger, there are ways to obtain this information. You can easily do so on your iPhone or iPad in a few simple steps. This wikiHow will teach you how to see if someone read your text message using iMessage, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger.

Does "Delivered" Mean "Read" in Texting?

"Delivered" means the message you sent was successfully received by the person's iPhone, but it doesn't always mean that they've opened it yet. If their "Read Receipts" are on, it will show the time when they read the message.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using iMessage

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  1. This is the only way you'll know if they've read your message.
    • If your outgoing messages are blue, the person can receive iMessages.
    • If outgoing messages are green, the person is using a non-iMessage phone or tablet (usually an Android). You won't be able to see when this person has read your messages.
    • Group messages do not support Read Receipts.
  2. As long as you and your contact both have enabled this feature, you’ll be able to see when you’ve read each others’ messages. If only you have it on, they'll see when you read their messages, but you won't know when they read yours. Here’s how to turn on read receipts: [1]
    • Open your iPhone’s Settings .
    • Scroll down and tap Messages .
    • Slide the “Send Read Receipts” switch to the On (green) position.
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  3. iMessages are sent over the internet, so make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi or your mobile network. If you’re not online, your message will be sent as a regular SMS and you won’t know when it’s been read.
  4. It’s a green and white chat bubble icon typically at the bottom of the home screen. [2]
    • To find a conversation with ease, you can pin an iMessage conversation. [3]
  5. Make sure you see “iMessage” in the typing area. This means you’re connected to the internet and the person you’re writing can receive iMessages.
  6. When you send an iMessage, you’ll see the word “Delivered” below when the message has been sent.
  7. If the recipient has read receipts on, you’ll see “Read” below the message. [4]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using WhatsApp

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  1. It’s a green and white chat bubble icon with a white phone receiver inside. If you’re messaging on WhatsApp, read receipts are automatically enabled. This means you can see if someone read your message by default.
  3. It’s the round blue icon with a white paper airplane inside.
  4. [5]
    • When you send the message and it hasn’t been delivered, you’ll see a single gray check mark. This means the person you’re writing hasn’t opened WhatsApp since you sent the message.
    • If the person has opened WhatsApp since you sent the message but hasn’t yet opened your message, you’ll see two gray check marks.
    • When the person reads your message, the two check marks will turn blue.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using Facebook Messenger

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  1. It’s the blue and white chat bubble icon with a sideways lightning bolt inside. You’ll usually find it on the home screen. Messenger is set up to automatically show you when someone has read your message.
  2. This opens a conversation with that person.
  3. It’s the blue paper airplane icon at the bottom-right corner of the message.
  4. [6]
    • A blue check mark in a white circle means you’ve sent the message, but the person has not yet opened Messenger.
    • A white check mark in a blue circle means the person has opened Messenger since you’ve sent the message, but they haven’t read it.
    • When the person’s profile picture appears in a tiny circle below the message, you’ll know the message has been read.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    If says delivered does it mean the other person has read it
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    "Delivered" means the message has been successfully received by the person's iPhone, but not necessarily that it has been opened. If Read Receipts are on, it will show the time the message was read. If Read Receipts are off, it will say "Delivered" regardless if they have read it or not.
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  • Question
    How can I see what time a friend actually read my text message to them
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    If your friend uses iMessage and has Read Receipts turned on, you will see "Read [Time]" below your sent message.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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  • Question
    Why would my message show up “read” only once during a conversation
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Make sure your phone is updated to ensure iMessage works as intended. Otherwise, it is possible the recipient turned off Read Receipts mid-conversation. This will show Read Receipts for the last message before it was turned off, but not for newer messages.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/turn-imessage-read-receipts-on-and-off
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/104969
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/104982
      4. ↑ https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/turn-imessage-read-receipts-on-and-off
      5. ↑ https://faq.whatsapp.com/665923838265756/?cms_platform=iphone
      6. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/help/messenger-app/926389207386625?cms_platform=iphone-app

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