The read receipts feature is handy as it informs the sender when you've read their message, including the time. You have the option to turn off read receipts for all your messages in the Messages app or just for specific contacts. To completely disable read receipts, go to Settings > Messages and toggle off the Send Read Receipts switch.

For individual conversations in iMessage, you can do this too. Open the Messages app, choose the chat with the person you want to hide read receipts from, tap their profile picture at the top, and simply switch off the Send Read Receipts option. This way, you can maintain your privacy and control over which messages reveal when you've read them and when you haven't, depending on your preferences and needs.

As the name implies, going offline provides a straightforward method to view an iMessage text without activating read receipts. To get this, disable your internet connection. You can accomplish this by turning off Wi-Fi through Settings > Wi-Fi and deactivating the Wi-Fi switch.

If you're connected through cellular data, go to Settings > Cellular and turn off the Cellular Data switch. Another option is to use the Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of your iPhone's screen and switching off both the Wi-Fi and Cellular Data toggles. This method allows you to discreetly read iMessage texts without alerting the sender that you've viewed their message.

An effective method for discreetly reading an iMessage text without notifying the sender is through the Notification Center. With notification previews enabled, you can conveniently check incoming texts without launching the Messages app.

To activate notification previews, navigate to Settings > Notifications and tap on Show Previews. You have a choice between two settings: Always or When Unlocked. Opt for "Always" if you prefer reading incoming notifications without unlocking your device. However, if privacy is a concern, we suggest selecting "When Unlocked," which ensures that your notifications remain hidden until you unlock your device. This way, you can maintain your privacy while staying informed about your messages.

You can employ Haptic Touch (or 3D Touch on older iPhones) to sneakily read an iMessage without alerting the sender. Begin by finding the conversation you wish to peruse in the Messages app. Then, press and hold the conversation thread until a preview of the message appears.

Usually, unless the message is particularly long, you should be able to read the complete text using Haptic or 3D Touch without triggering read receipts. However, exercise caution not to inadvertently tap your screen while reading, as this could activate read receipts, thereby defeating the purpose of this method in the first place.

This technique offers a discreet way to check your messages, especially if you want to keep your reading activity private. It's a handy workaround to maintain your read status incognito, ensuring that the sender remains unaware that you've read their message.