Why it matters
Typing indicators help you see when a contact is actively composing a message. This improves real-time communication, letting you know when to pause before replying and helping maintain natural, conversational flow.
Key Concepts
Typing Indicator: A visual cue (usually moving dots or a “Typing…” label) that appears in the message area when a contact is typing.
Real-Time Engagement: A feature that shows live activity from the contact, signaling they’re preparing a response.
Conversation View: The main chat interface where messages and typing indicators appear.
Step-by-Step: View Typing Indicators
Navigate to your Omnichannel Inbox.
Click this link to open it directly.
Open the desired conversation.
Select the conversation you want to monitor from your list of active conversations.
Watch for the typing indicator.
When the contact is typing a message, you’ll see a visual indicator — such as three moving dots or the text “Typing…” — displayed near the message area.
Once the contact sends their message, the indicator disappears automatically.
Tips and Best Practices
Wait a moment when the typing indicator appears to avoid sending overlapping messages.
Use this visual cue to maintain a conversational rhythm, especially during active chat sessions.
If no typing indicator appears, the contact may be idle or using a communication channel that doesn’t support real-time indicators.
Troubleshooting
Issue | Possible Cause | Fix |
Typing indicator not visible | Contact’s channel does not support typing indicators | Confirm whether the channel (e.g., SMS or Email) supports real-time typing indicators. |
Typing indicator stuck | Temporary sync issue | Refresh the conversation view. |
Typing indicator flickering | Contact paused or resumed typing | This is normal behavior; it will stabilize when the message is sent. |
Related Guides
Understanding Conversations in Whippy
Navigating the Omnichannel Inbox
Viewing the Activities Tab in a Conversation