> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.whapi.cloud/help-desk/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.whapi.cloud/help-desk/hints/automatically-mark-incoming-whatsapp-messages-as-read.md).

# Automatically mark incoming WhatsApp messages as read

The `auto_read_messages` channel setting allows Whapi.Cloud to automatically mark every new incoming message as read.

This is useful for chatbots, AI assistants, support automation, and other workflows where no human operator opens the chat manually.

When automatic reading is enabled:

* The sender sees blue check marks;
* The unread message counter disappears from the chat on the connected WhatsApp account;
* Your automation does not need to send a separate API request to mark each message as read.

### When this setting is useful

Automatic reading is especially helpful when:

* A chatbot handles conversations without human involvement;
* You want users to see that their message was received and processed;
* An AI assistant replies automatically;
* Unread counters should not accumulate on the connected WhatsApp account;
* Your workflow does not require manual message review before marking messages as read.

For automated conversations, read receipts can make the interaction feel more responsive and natural. They confirm that the message has reached the system, even before the automated reply is sent.

### Enable automatic message reading

Use the [**Update channel settings**](https://whapi.readme.io/reference/updatechannelsettings) method:

`PATCH https://gate.whapi.cloud/settings`

Example request:

```bash
curl -X PATCH "https://gate.whapi.cloud/settings" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer <CHANNEL_TOKEN>" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "auto_read_messages": true
  }'
```

### Parameter values

* `true` — every new incoming message is automatically marked as read;
* `false` — incoming messages are not marked as read automatically.

The default value is:

```json
{
  "auto_read_messages": false
}
```

When the setting is disabled, messages must be marked as read manually through the API.

### Disable automatic message reading

To return to manual read management, send:

```bash
curl -X PATCH "https://gate.whapi.cloud/settings" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer <CHANNEL_TOKEN>" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "auto_read_messages": false
  }'
```

Use `false` when a human operator must review messages before the sender receives a read confirmation.

***

### Mark individual messages as read

If you do not want to mark every incoming message as read automatically, you can manage read receipts selectively.

Use the [**Mark message as read**](https://whapi.readme.io/reference/markmessageasread) method for a specific message:

`PUT https://gate.whapi.cloud/messages/{MessageID}`

Replace `{MessageID}` with the ID of the message you want to mark as read.

This approach is useful when your workflow should only confirm selected messages after they have been processed by a bot, reviewed by an operator, or matched specific conditions.