[ublaze]

I started using Telegram a couple of years ago to prevent my "online status" on Whatsapp being visible to everyone.

Just start using both, and convince a few close family members (spouse/parents) to start using the app. People cannot be forced into using a new product. On the other hand, they will automatically use the better product if their network is on both.

Now my parents and partner are comfortable with both Whatsapp and Telegram. They use Whatsapp more heavily than I do, but they can comfortably use both. Since Telegram is better (from a product perspective), they also use Telegram when talking to each other.

IMO we can't tear down network effects easily, especially when the negative consequences of using one of the products is seemingly non consequential. We just have to move brick by brick.

[axiom92]

>I started using Telegram a couple of years ago to prevent my "online status" on Whatsapp being visible to everyone.

FWIW you can just disable this in the settings.

[switch007]

You can't hide when you're actually online.

[Franciscouzo]

No you can't, you can only hide your last seen status.