How read receipts and 'Seen by' work on Orbit

How 'Seen by' works in groups

In a group chat, opening a message marks you as having seen it. Tapping the 'Seen by' indicator under a message shows which members have viewed it so far, which is useful for confirming an announcement was actually read.

Read receipts in direct messages

In a one-to-one conversation, a read indicator typically shows once the other person has opened the chat and seen your latest message, similar to other messaging apps.

What triggers a 'seen' state

Simply opening the chat and having the message visible on screen is generally enough to mark it as seen; you do not need to reply or react.

• Opening the conversation marks visible messages as seen
• Seen state is separate from delivery, which happens as soon as the message reaches the server
• Group 'Seen by' lists can be long in large groups

Privacy considerations

Because read receipts are visible to others, keep in mind that opening a message signals you have seen it, even if you have not replied yet.

Frequently asked questions

Can I turn off read receipts?

Check Settings for any available privacy controls around read receipts; availability can vary as Orbit evolves this feature.

Does 'Seen by' show the exact time someone read a message?

It confirms that a message has been seen; exact timestamp detail depends on where in the app you are viewing it.

Do read receipts work the same in paid groups?

Yes, read receipts work the same way regardless of whether a group is free or paid.