WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger users have been left 'horrified' after discovering what happens when they mark a message as 'unread'14:00, 02 Jul 2026We've all experienced this. You get a message from someone and you'd rather they didn't know you've seen it.‌It could be something entirely harmless - perhaps you haven't got time to respond immediately and don't want them thinking you've simply glanced at it and blanked them. Or you may have genuinely received a message from someone you fancy and don't want them knowing how keen you are.‌But whether it's Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp, countless people have felt the 'unread' function has rescued them. The tool, accessible on most messaging platforms, enables you to flag a conversation as unread to revisit later.‌On your device, it will look as though you've only just received the message, and it remains unseen.People only just realise what happens when you mark a message as unread on Whatsapp and MessengerHowever, numerous technology users are now discovering something alarming - it only displays as unread for you - not for the person who sent it. Having only recently stumbled upon this revelation, one "horrified" TikTok user spread the word to others.Presenter and comedian Eric Roberts went on the platform to reveal: "I just found out that when you mark a message as unread, it only marks it unread on your phone. Everyone else can still see that you've read that message. And I just want to apologise to everyone."‌In the caption, he added: "I'm horrified."It turns out he wasn't alone in his ignorance. One person commented: "You're not serious are you? What about on Messenger? I need to trial this with a friend in the morning... I need to know!" Another simply responded: "Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo."I am just finding this out now and I am not happy," said another.‌Someone else wrote: "I've learnt that the hard way."How to keep messages secret: The workaround you need to knowFortunately, there is a workaround if you'd rather people didn't know you've read their messages. One user shared: "To everyone - turn off your read receipts! It's the best thing I did this year. Knowing when someone has actually cast their eyes over a message is a level of info we just don't need."Just turn off read receipts. Had them off for years," added another.Article continues belowOne person tested it on an iPhone, explaining: "If read receipts are on, it doesn't undo the read receipt, it just stays there, but for you, it'll just show up as a conversation that you need to get back to."On the subject of WhatsApp, another user clarified: "It only marks it unread for you, it doesn't undo any read receipts. You need to turn off read receipts which will apply in future."To switch off read receipts on iPhone for iMessage, head to Settings, Apps and Message, where you can disable Send Read Receipts. Android users can do the same by tapping their profile in the Messages app, navigating to Message Settings, then RCS chats, and toggling the switch.