Your iPhone May Be Sending Message Read Receipts Even If You Turned Them Off

A recurring iOS bug that makes Apple's Messages app send read receipts despite the setting being disabled appears to be on the upswing again, based on reports from users running iOS 15.

iOS 15 Messages Feature
In iOS, with read receipts enabled (Settings -> Messages -> Send Read Receipts), the "Delivered" text that a person sees under an iMessage they have sent you turns to "Read" when you've viewed it in the conversation thread, so they know you've seen the message even if you've not responded. The setting syncs across all Apple devices signed into the same Apple ID.

Over the last few years there have been sporadic reports that Messages doesn't always observe the user setting, but according to Macworld's Glenn Fleishman, the bug appears to be rearing its head again, only this time for a larger number of users running the latest version of iOS 15.

Some people have found that restarting their device resolves the problem, at least temporarily, but no permanent fix has been discovered, suggesting Apple needs to change something about the way the function works in a future update to its mobile operating system. We'll update this article if we learn more.

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Top Rated Comments

senttoschool Avatar
46 months ago

People who have read receipts turned off make me suspicious and uncomfortable. What are you hiding?
Nothing. I just don't/can't always reply right away. I turn it off so you don't get butt hurt.
Score: 105 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Nicole1980 Avatar
46 months ago

If you have friends who get "butt hurt" (what an awful phrase) when you don't reply immediately upon having seen a message, get better friends!
Its not just friends who text you, but relatives, work associates, maybe even someone you dated once and is asking when the second date will be and you havent decided how to answer that yet.
Theres all sorts of reasons why I'd rather have someone think that i havent read the text yet.
Score: 38 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Gathomblipoob Avatar
46 months ago

People who have read receipts turned off make me suspicious and uncomfortable. What are you hiding?
My freedom to choose.
Score: 38 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LeeW Avatar
46 months ago

People who have read receipts turned off make me suspicious and uncomfortable. What are you hiding?
I am hiding the fact that I have read it because I know you will be sitting there 10 seconds after you know I have read it moaning that I have not replied already.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
justperry Avatar
46 months ago

People who have read receipts turned off make me suspicious and uncomfortable. What are you hiding?
Nothing to hide, just don't want them to see it for the sole reason I can't instantly reply to them, or not in the mood, or not interested (In case of being part of a group).

Nothing. I just don't/can't always reply right away. I turn it off so you don't get butt hurt.
^^^^This

Some really expect you to instantly reply, problem is, you can't or are not in the mood to reply instantly.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wallinbl Avatar
46 months ago

People who have read receipts turned off make me suspicious and uncomfortable. What are you hiding?
A better question is why do you want to see when I've read your message? The suspicious behavior is needing to know this. It makes you a stalker.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)