How to prevent unknown contacts from messaging in WhatsApp on Android?

How to prevent unknown contacts from messaging in WhatsApp on Android - briefly?

To prevent unknown contacts from messaging you in WhatsApp on Android, follow these steps:

  1. Open WhatsApp and go to Settings.
  2. Select Account > Privacy > Messages, then choose "Nobody" or "My Contacts".

How to prevent unknown contacts from messaging in WhatsApp on Android - in detail?

To prevent unknown contacts from messaging you in WhatsApp on an Android device, follow these detailed steps:

  1. Adjust Privacy Settings:

    • Open WhatsApp and tap on the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner to access the menu.
    • Select "Settings."
    • Navigate to "Account" and then "Privacy."

  2. Control Who Can Contact You:

    • In the Privacy settings, select "Messages."
    • Here, you will find three options: "Everyone," "My Contacts," and "Nobody."
    • Choose "My Contacts" to allow only people from your contact list to message you. This setting will prevent unknown contacts from messaging you directly.

  3. Additional Privacy Measures:

    • While in the Privacy settings, consider adjusting other options as well:
      • Profile Photo: Choose who can see your profile photo.
      • About: Control access to your "About" information.
      • Status: Decide who can view your status updates.
    • These settings ensure that only the people you trust have access to certain aspects of your WhatsApp account.

  4. Block Unwanted Contacts:

    • If you receive a message from an unknown contact, you can block them:
      • Open the chat with the unknown contact.
      • Tap on the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner.
      • Select "More" and then "Block."
    • Blocking prevents that specific user from messaging or calling you again, adding an extra layer of protection.

  5. Avoid Sharing Your Number:

    • Be cautious about sharing your phone number on public platforms or with people you don’t know well.
    • Unknown contacts can find and message you if they have your number.

  6. Use the "Report" Feature for Spam:

    • If you receive spam messages from unknown numbers, use WhatsApp's built-in reporting feature:
      • Open the chat with the spammer.
      • Tap on the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner.
      • Select "Report" and follow the prompts to report the message as spam.
    • Reporting helps WhatsApp identify and block spammers, contributing to a safer messaging environment for all users.

By following these steps, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of being contacted by unknown numbers on WhatsApp. These measures help maintain your privacy and ensure that only trusted contacts can reach you through the app.