How to make it so that messages are not visible on the WhatsApp screen?

How to make it so that messages are not visible on the WhatsApp screen - briefly?

To ensure that messages are not visible on the WhatsApp screen, users can enable the app's privacy settings. Specifically, turning on the "Show Preview" feature off will hide message content from the notification panel. This setting can be found in the WhatsApp application under "Settings" and then "Notifications".

How to make it so that messages are not visible on the WhatsApp screen - in detail?

To ensure that messages are not visible on the WhatsApp screen, you can employ several methods depending on your device and preferences. Here is a detailed guide on how to achieve this:

For Android Users:

  1. Disable Preview Message:

    • Open WhatsApp and tap on the three dots (⋮) in the top right corner to access settings.
    • Navigate to Notifications > Pop-up notifications.
    • Toggle off the When device is unlocked option. This will prevent message previews from appearing when your phone is unlocked.

  2. Turn Off Notification Dots:

    • Go to your phone's Settings and select Apps & notifications > Notifications.
    • Find WhatsApp in the list of apps and tap on it.
    • Turn off Allow notification dot. This will remove the notification badge from the app icon, which can sometimes display message previews.

  3. Use App Lock:

    • Download a reliable app locker from the Google Play Store (e.g., AppLock).
    • Open the app and set up a PIN or pattern for WhatsApp.
    • This will prevent anyone from accessing your messages without the PIN or pattern.

For iPhone Users:

  1. Turn Off Message Previews:

    • Go to Settings > Notifications.
    • Scroll down and tap on WhatsApp.
    • Under the Options section, toggle off Show Previews. This will prevent message previews from appearing on your lock screen or notifications.

  2. Use Screen Time:

    • Open the Settings app and go to Screen Time.
    • Tap on Content & Privacy Restrictions, then enable it if it's not already enabled.
    • Go to Allowed Apps and turn off WhatsApp. This will restrict access to WhatsApp, ensuring that messages are not visible unless the restrictions are lifted.

  3. Use a Passcode:

    • Set up a passcode for your iPhone by going to Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode).
    • Ensure that the passcode is required immediately after the screen locks. This will prevent anyone from accessing WhatsApp and viewing messages without the passcode.

For Both Android and iPhone Users:

  1. Use Two-Step Verification:

    • Open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Account > Two-step verification.
    • Enable two-step verification by following the prompts. This adds an extra layer of security, ensuring that only you can access your messages.

  2. Regularly Clear Chat History:

    • While this does not hide messages per se, regularly clearing chat history can prevent others from reading old conversations.
    • Go to Settings > Chats > Chat History and choose the option to clear all chats or specific chats as needed.

By following these steps, you can effectively manage the visibility of your WhatsApp messages and enhance your privacy settings.