Before you start
- WhatsApp on Android, iPhone or desktop
Turn off read receipts
The change applies straight away to all your individual chats.
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Step 1: Open Privacy settings
On Android, tap ⋮ > Settings > Privacy. On iPhone, tap Settings > Privacy.
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Step 2: Switch off Read receipts
Scroll down and turn off Read receipts.
| Ticks | Meaning |
|---|---|
| One grey tick | Sent |
| Two grey ticks | Delivered to the recipient’s phone |
| Two blue ticks | Read (only when both people have read receipts on) |
What read receipts don’t hide
- It works both ways. With read receipts off, you can’t see when others have read your messages either.
- Group chats always show read receipts. Press and hold your message and tap Info to see who read it.
- Voice messages still show a blue microphone when played.
- Last seen and online are separate settings in Privacy.
- Typing… still shows when you write a reply.
Troubleshooting
My messages still show blue ticks
The other person still has read receipts on, but that only affects what you see if your setting is on. If you’ve turned yours off, you see grey ticks only; check the chat isn’t a group.
The setting is greyed out
Update WhatsApp. If you use a work or business-managed phone, it might be restricted.
Frequently asked questions
Can people tell I turned off read receipts?
They aren’t notified, but they may notice that your messages stay on grey ticks even when you reply.
Do disappearing or view-once messages show as opened?
Yes. View-once photos and videos show as opened even if read receipts are off.
Can I turn off read receipts for one person only?
No. The setting applies to all individual chats.
Summary
Go to Settings > Privacy and turn off Read receipts to stop showing blue ticks. Remember it’s reciprocal, and groups and voice messages still show read status.
