Have you ever sent a text message to someone and ask them if they have read it or not. Maybe you’re waiting for a response or maybe you just want to make sure they received your message.
Whatever the reason, it can be frustrating not knowing if your message has been viewed or ignored.
Fortunately, there is a way to tell if someone has read your text message and it’s called “read receipts.”
Read receipts are notifications. that tell you when the recipient of your message has opened and read it. They can also show you the time they read it, so you can get a better idea of their availability and interest.
Friends texting (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
MORE: THE NEW PHONE CALL ETIQUETTE: MESSAGE FIRST AND DON’T LEAVE VOICEMAIL
The pros and cons of “read receipts”
Before we look at how to enable “read receipts,” it’s important to consider the pros and cons of the feature.
Advantages: Turning on read receipts lets you know when the other person has seen your message, which can be useful for confirming important information or avoiding misunderstandings. You can also customize read receipts for individual contacts, so you can choose who can see when you read their messages and who can’t.
Cons: Turning on read receipts can also have some drawbacks, such as invading your privacy or pressuring you to respond quickly. Some people may get upset or offended if they see that you’ve read their message but haven’t responded yet. You may also lose the option to pretend you didn’t see a message you don’t want to deal with.
HOW TO ENABLE ‘LOW POWER MODE’ ON YOUR SMARTPHONE TO CONSERVE BATTERY
How to activate Read receipts for iPhone and Android
Enabling read receipts is simple for both iPhone and Android users, but there are some differences and limitations depending on the device and app you are using. Here’s how to enable read receipts for the most common scenarios:
iPhone to iPhone
If both you and the recipient have iPhones, you can use iMessage to send and receive text messages. iMessage is Apple’s own messaging service that works over Wi-Fi or mobile data. It also allows you to enable read receipts for your messages. To turn on iMessage read receipts, follow these steps:
- On your iPhone, open Settings
- Tap Messages
- Then activate Send read receipts
How to activate read receipts on an iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
- Now, when you send a message to another iPhone user who has iMessage enabled, you’ll see a blue bubble around your message. This means your message was sent using iMessage. You will also see a status below your message, such as Delivered either Read.
NEW TECHNOLOGY DOES NOT HELP ADOPTIVE PARENTS OVERCOME OBSTACLES: RESEARCH
A “message delivered” receipt on an iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
- If the recipient has also enabled read receipts, you will see Read With time They read your message.
A “Read” message receipt on an iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
MORE: NEVER LOSE TRACK OF TEXT MESSAGES AGAIN BY PINNING THEM
iPhone to Android
If you send a message from your iPhone to an Android user, or vice versa, you can’t use iMessage. Instead, you will have to use SMS messaging, which is the standard text messaging service that works over mobile networks. SMS messages are displayed in green bubbles on your iPhone.
The problem with SMS messaging is that it does not support read receipts. This means that you will not be able to see if the recipient has read your message or not. You will only see a state of Delivered, which means that your message has reached their phone, but not necessarily that they have opened it.
The only way to get read receipts for SMS messages is to use a third-party app that supports them, such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger or Signal. These apps work over Wi-Fi or mobile data and allow you to see when the recipient has read your message, as well as other features like voice and video calling, stickers, and encryption. However, both you and the recipient must use the same app and have an account on it.
Texting between friends on an iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
MORE: ASK KURT: HOW TO PREVENT YOUR TEXT MESSAGES FROM GETTING TO YOUR FAMILY’S DEVICES
Android to Android
If you and the recipient have Android phones, you can use RCS messaging to send and receive text messages. RCS stands for Rich Communication Services and is a new standard that aims to improve the features and functionality of SMS messaging.
RCS messaging allows you to send and receive high-quality media, group chats, and read receipts, among other things. To activate RCS message read receipts using the Google Messages app, follow these steps:
YesSettings may vary depending on the manufacturer of your Android phone.
- On your Android phone, open the Google Messages app on your phone
- touch your profile picture or the initial in round circle at the top right of your conversations)
- Select Message settings
- Then click RCS cats
How to configure RCS messaging on an Android to activate read receipts (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
- Activate Activate RCS cats and Send read receipts
How to configure RCS messaging on an Android to activate read receipts (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Note: To know when other people have read your message, they must also turn on read receipts in their settings. Now when you send a message to another Android user who has RCS messaging enabled, you’ll see a status below your message, like “Delivered” either “Read.” If the recipient has also turned on their read receipts, you’ll see “Read” along with the time they read your message.
Kurt’s Key Takeaways
Read receipts can be a useful feature to know if someone has read your text message or not. They can also help you communicate better and avoid misunderstandings. However, read receipts also have some drawbacks, such as privacy issues, social pressure, and battery consumption. Therefore, you should use them with caution and respect and be aware of the settings and limitations of your device and application.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
How do you handle situations where someone doesn’t respond to your text message after reading it? Do you follow up, wait or move on? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
For more tech tips and security alerts, sign up for my free CyberGuy Report newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter
Ask Kurt a question or tell us what stories you’d like us to cover.
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about CyberGuy:
Copyright 2023 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
