How to Appear Offline on Houseparty

Houseparty is among the most popular video-chatting applications of this year, offering a convenient way of communicating with friends, along with fun and unique game options that allow you to have some additional fun.

However, the aspect that makes this app so distinct also tends to be the thing that irritates users the most, and that is the fact that a notification is sent out to all of your added friends whenever you access the application, and you receive notifications as well every time one of your friends appears online. Although this aspect might be quite handy in some cases, it generally tends to be a drawback, as you might not wish for everyone to be aware every time you come online. So, is there a way for you to appear offline on Houseparty, even though you’re currently using the application?

The answer is no, not in the same way you would in some other applications. However, there are still a couple of ways around this issue. Here’s what you can do:

Changing the notifications settings

If you don’t want the Houseparty app to send out a notification to everyone each time you open it, you can change that in your settings:

  1. Load the Houseparty application on your smartphone.
  2. Click on the waving hand icon, and then press on the gear icon.
  3. Here, click on Manage Notifications.
  4. Finally, simply turn off the switch that’s located next to Send Notifications.

“Ghosting” people on the application

In case you want to turn your notifications off only for certain friends on the application, you have the option of doing that as well. Here’s how:

  1. Load the Houseparty application on your smartphone.
  2. Click on the waving hand icon, and then press on the gear icon.
  3. Press on Manage Notifications, and then press Advanced Options.
  4. Here, you will have the choice to “ghost” or “mute” any specific friends.

While “ghosting” means the specific person you chose won’t get notifications each time you load the Houseparty application, “muting” means you won’t receive any notifications when they open the application.

Sneaking into the Houseparty application

If you own an Apple device, you will have the opportunity to load the Houseparty application without sending out any notifications, even if you haven’t changed your settings. Just follow these steps:

  1. On your Apple device, locate the Houseparty application on your homescreen or in your App Library.
  2. Click and hold on the Houseparty icon.
  3. Once the list of options pops up, click on Sneak into the House.

Although the nature of the Houseparty application doesn’t exactly allow for any usual offline modes like we are used to, there are still a couple of ways you could open the application without actually notifying your friends that you are currently online, allowing you to be just a little bit sneakier.