Read receipts tell the sender when you have opened their message
A read receipt is a notification that tells someone their message has been opened and seen. When you open a text, email, or chat message on your phone or computer, the app can send a signal back to the person who sent it — usually a small checkmark, timestamp, or "seen" indicator — to confirm you have read what they wrote.
Read receipts exist in most messaging apps because senders want to know whether their message reached you and whether you have actually looked at it. Without read receipts, a sender cannot tell the difference between a message that arrived but you have not opened yet, and one you opened an hour ago and chose not to respond to.
The feature is optional on most platforms. You can turn read receipts on or off in your settings, which means you can choose whether other people see when you have read their messages.
Key Takeaways
- Read receipts are small notifications — usually checkmarks or timestamps — that show the sender you have opened and seen their message.
- Different apps display read receipts differently: text messages use checkmarks, email uses "opened" notifications, and chat apps like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger show "seen" timestamps.
- You can turn read receipts on or off in your phone or app settings, which controls whether others see when you have read their messages.
- Turning off read receipts means the sender will not know when you have opened their message, but it also means you will not see when they have read yours.
How read receipts work on text messages and chat apps
On text messages (SMS), read receipts appear as checkmarks next to the message you sent. Usually one checkmark means the message was delivered to the recipient's phone, and two checkmarks mean they have opened and read it. The exact appearance depends on whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, or a third-party messaging app.
Chat apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and iMessage work the same way but with slightly different visual styles. WhatsApp shows one checkmark for sent, two checkmarks for delivered, and two blue checkmarks for read. Facebook Messenger shows a small profile picture of the person below the message once they have seen it. iMessage on Apple devices shows "Delivered" or "Read" with a timestamp.
The read receipt is sent automatically when you open the message — you do not have to do anything. The app detects that you have opened the conversation and sends that information back to the sender's device in real time or within a few seconds.
How read receipts work in email
Email read receipts work differently than text messages because email is older technology. When you send an email, you can request a read receipt in your email settings before hitting send. Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail, and other email clients all have this option, though it is usually turned off by default.
If the sender requested a read receipt and you open the email, your email client will ask you whether you want to send a receipt back to them. You can choose to send it, decline, or ignore the prompt. If you send the receipt, the sender gets a notification that you have opened the email, along with the date and time.
Email read receipts are less reliable than text message read receipts because the recipient has to actively choose to send one back — many people decline or never see the prompt. Some email providers also block read receipts for privacy reasons.
Why people turn read receipts off
Many people disable read receipts because they do not want others to know they have seen a message. If you turn off read receipts, the sender will not see when you opened their message, which gives you more privacy and removes the pressure to respond when ready.
Turning off read receipts is useful if you want to read messages at your own pace without the sender knowing you have seen them. It can also reduce social pressure — some people feel obligated to respond quickly if the sender knows they have already read the message.
The downside is that you will also not see when other people have read your messages. If you turn off read receipts, the feature is disabled both ways — you give up the information and you stop receiving it.
How to turn read receipts on or off
On an iPhone, open Settings, scroll to Messages, and toggle "Send Read Receipts" on or off. This controls whether people see when you have read their iMessages and text messages.
On Android, the process depends on your messaging app. In Google Messages, open Settings, tap Advanced, and toggle "Send read receipts" on or off. In WhatsApp, go to Settings, tap Account, then Privacy, and toggle "Read Receipts" on or off. Other apps have similar settings in their preferences or account menu.
In Gmail, you cannot turn off read receipts for incoming mail, but you can choose not to send a receipt when someone requests one. In Outlook, go to Settings, select Mail, then Compose and Reply, and toggle "Request a read receipt for all messages I send" on or off.
If you turn off read receipts and later change your mind, you can turn them back on the same way. The change takes effect when ready for new messages.
What read receipts do not tell you
A read receipt only means the message was opened — it does not mean the person understood it, agreed with it, or will respond to it. Someone can open a message, read the first line, and close it without reading the rest. Read receipts do not measure comprehension or intent.
Read receipts also do not work across all platforms. If you send a text message to someone with an older phone or a different type of device, they may not be able to send you a read receipt even if they have the feature turned on. Email read receipts are even less reliable because many email clients do not support them or block them automatically.
If someone has read receipts turned off, you will not see a read receipt even if they have opened and read your message multiple times. You will straightforward see "Delivered" or no status indicator at all.
Read receipts on different devices and platforms
Read receipts work differently depending on what device and app you use. iMessage on Apple devices shows "Delivered" and "Read" with timestamps. Android text messages show checkmarks. WhatsApp shows checkmarks that turn blue when read. Facebook Messenger shows a small profile picture. Slack shows a checkmark emoji. Discord does not have read receipts at all.
If you send a message to someone on a different platform — for example, an iPhone user texting an Android user — the read receipt may not work the same way or may not work at all. The receiving device and app determine whether a read receipt can be sent back.
Some apps let you customize read receipt settings per conversation. For example, you might turn off read receipts for group chats but keep them on for one-on-one messages. Check your app's settings to see what options are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone tell if I read their message if I have read receipts turned off?
No. If you have read receipts disabled, the sender will not see any notification that you have opened their message. They will only see that the message was delivered. However, they may be able to guess you read it based on other context — for example, if you respond to the message later.
Do read receipts work on group chats?
Yes, but the display is different. In group chats, you usually see a list of who has read the message and when, rather than a single checkmark. Some apps show profile pictures of everyone who has read it. You can usually turn off read receipts for group chats separately from one-on-one messages.
What if someone requests a read receipt in email but I do not want to send one?
When you open an email with a read receipt request, your email client will prompt you to send a receipt. You can click "No" or straightforward close the prompt without responding. The sender will not know whether you declined or never saw the prompt — they will just not receive a receipt.
Do read receipts use data or battery?
Read receipts use a very small amount of data — just enough to send a tiny signal back to the sender's device. They do not noticeably drain your battery or use enough data to affect your monthly usage. The impact is negligible on modern phones.
Can I see read receipts if the person has airplane mode on?
No. If someone has airplane mode enabled, their device cannot send or receive read receipts. You will not see a read receipt until they turn airplane mode off and their device reconnects to the network. The read receipt will usually arrive within a few seconds after they come back online.