2024-05-13 18:41:36
Single hook, double hook, gray or blue: there are a few WhatsApp characters. Read what the ticks mean here.
Characters as reading status for messages
The different ticks behind the messages in WhatsApp can sometimes confuse users. However, all three variants of the sign have very specific functions. They verify the sending status of the message they are standing next to.
A gray tick: Sending your message was successful. It has arrived on the WhatsApp server.
Two gray ticks: The message arrived on the target’s phone.
Two blue ticks: The message was read or seen by the recipient or all members of a group.
The blue ticks even reveal if a message has been read. More about that here.
The read receipt can be deactivated
There are a few tricks you can use to bypass the read receipt. We explain here how this works with voice messages.
Otherwise, in the app’s settings under “Privacy” you will find a slider with which you can switch read receipts on or off. You can access the settings by clicking on the three-dot menu in the upper right corner of the app.
However, you should keep in mind that if you deactivate the function, you will no longer be able to see whether your own messages have been read. Read receipts are always sent in group chats.
Just a gray WhatsApp tick: what to do?
It can be worrying if the only icon left next to the message in question is the gray “Sent” check mark for long periods of time. According to the official “WhatsApp” homepage, in this case there is a high probability that both the smartphone and the version of WhatsApp installed on it will work without any problems.
The single character indicates that the message was properly sent and is now waiting on the server to be forwarded to the recipient’s phone. Accordingly, the whole thing has to do with the recipient himself: For example, his phone could be switched off, in airplane mode or have poor reception.
Is WhatsApp down?
There is also the possibility that WhatsApp – or its parent company Meta – is experiencing a malfunction. You usually find out about it on news portals or social media. If many users report problems with WhatsApp at the same time, they are usually resolved quickly.