How to hide a friend in WhatsApp on Android - briefly?
To hide a friend in WhatsApp on an Android device, follow these steps:
- Open WhatsApp and go to the chat with the friend you want to hide.
- Tap on the three dots at the top right corner of the screen, select "More," then choose "Hide chat."
How to hide a friend in WhatsApp on Android - in detail?
Hiding a friend or contact in WhatsApp on an Android device can be done through several methods, each offering different levels of privacy and convenience. Here are detailed steps for the most common approaches:
Method 1: Muting Notifications
While this method doesn't hide the contact entirely, it prevents notifications from appearing on your screen.
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your Android device.
- Navigate to Chats: Tap on the "Chats" tab at the bottom of the screen.
- Select Contact: Find and tap on the contact you wish to hide notifications from.
- Mute Notifications: At the top right corner, tap on the three dots (More options). Select "Mute notifications."
- Customize Settings: Choose how long you want the notifications to be muted for (8 hours, 1 week, or 1 year). You can also select whether to receive notification previews or not.
- Confirm: Tap on "OK" to save your settings.
Method 2: Archiving a Chat
Archiving a chat moves it out of your main chat list but doesn't delete the conversation or its notifications.
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your Android device.
- Navigate to Chats: Tap on the "Chats" tab at the bottom of the screen.
- Select Contact: Find and long-press on the contact you wish to archive.
- Archive Chat: At the top of the screen, tap on the archive icon (a downward arrow within a box).
- Confirm: Tap "OK" to confirm that you want to archive the chat. The chat will now be moved to the "Archived chats" section.
Method 3: Using Third-Party Apps
For more advanced hiding options, third-party apps like "Hide WhatsApp Chat" or "WhatsApp Lock" can be used. These apps allow you to password protect or hide specific chats entirely from the main interface.
- Download and Install: Search for and download a reputable third-party app from the Google Play Store.
- Open App: Launch the third-party app after installation.
- Follow Instructions: Follow the on-screen instructions to set up the app. This may include granting necessary permissions and setting a password or PIN.
- Hide Specific Chat: Use the app's interface to select and hide the specific chat you want to keep private.
Method 4: Disabling Contact Sync (Less Recommended)
Disabling contact sync can prevent new contacts from appearing in WhatsApp, but it will also affect other aspects of your device's functionality.
- Open Settings: Go to the "Settings" app on your Android device.
- Accounts: Scroll down and tap on "Accounts."
- WhatsApp: Tap on "WhatsApp."
- Disable Sync: Turn off the toggle for "Contacts." This will prevent WhatsApp from syncing with your contacts list, potentially hiding new friends or contacts.
Important Considerations
- Backup Data: Before making significant changes, ensure you have backed up your data to avoid losing important information.
- App Updates: WhatsApp and third-party apps receive regular updates that can affect functionality. Make sure to keep all your apps updated.
- Privacy Risks: Be cautious when using third-party apps, as they may pose privacy risks or require unnecessary permissions.
By following these detailed steps, you can effectively manage the visibility of specific contacts in WhatsApp on your Android device, enhancing your privacy and organization.