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

Written by Rain Kengly

Last Updated: January 11, 2023 Tested

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.

Things You Should Know

You won't be able to see if someone read your iMessage text unless they have Read Receipts turned on.
Read WhatsApp messages will have two blue checkmarks underneath.
Read Facebook Messenger messages will have the reader's profile picture underneath.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using iMessage

1
Make sure the person you’re texting is also using iMessages. 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
Turn on read receipts. 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:
- 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
Connect to the internet. 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
Open Messages. It’s a green and white chat bubble icon typically at the bottom of the home screen.
- To find a conversation with ease, you can pin an iMessage conversation.
5
Write or reply to a message. 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
Send the message. When you send an iMessage, you’ll see the word “Delivered” below when the message has been sent.
7
Wait for a read receipt. If the recipient has read receipts on, you’ll see “Read” below the message.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using WhatsApp

1
Open WhatsApp on your iPhone or iPad. 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.
2
Create or reply to an existing message.
- You can also send a free text message.
3
Tap the Send button. It’s the round blue icon with a white paper airplane inside.
4
Look at the check marks at the bottom-right corner of the sent message.
- 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.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Facebook Messenger

1
Open Facebook Messenger on your iPhone or iPad. 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
Tap the person you want to message. This opens a conversation with that person.
- This is also where you can delete messages from Messenger.
3
Type your message and tap the Send button. It’s the blue paper airplane icon at the bottom-right corner of the message.
4
Check the message status.
- 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.

Community Q&A

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.
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.
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.