How to prevent unknown numbers from messaging you on iPhone in WhatsApp?

How to prevent unknown numbers from messaging you on iPhone in WhatsApp - briefly?

To prevent unknown numbers from messaging you on your iPhone using WhatsApp, you can adjust the privacy settings for your account. By going to "Settings" > "Account" > "Privacy," you can set your profile photo and status to be visible only to your contacts, effectively limiting unwanted messages.

How to prevent unknown numbers from messaging you on iPhone in WhatsApp - in detail?

To prevent unknown numbers from messaging you on an iPhone using WhatsApp, follow these detailed steps:

1. Update WhatsApp: Ensure your WhatsApp application is up to date. Developers frequently release updates that include new features and security enhancements. Go to the App Store, search for WhatsApp, and tap "Update" if available.

2. Adjust Privacy Settings:

   • Open WhatsApp on your iPhone.
   • Tap on "Settings" at the bottom right corner of the screen.
   • Select "Account".
   • Tap on "Privacy". Here you will find several options to control who can contact you.

3. Limit Who Can Contact You:

   • In the Privacy settings, select "Last Seen & Status".
   • Choose "Nobody" if you want to restrict everyone from seeing your last seen status and online status. This does not directly prevent messages but reduces visibility.

4. Block Unknown Numbers:

   • If an unknown number sends you a message, you can block it directly.
   • Open the chat with the unknown number.
   • Tap on the contact name at the top of the screen.
   • Scroll down and tap "Block Contact". Confirm by tapping "Block" again.

5. Disable Read Receipts:

   • While this does not prevent messages, it hides your read receipts (blue checkmarks) from unknown senders.
   • Go to Settings > Account > Privacy > Read Receipts.
   • Toggle off "Read Receipts".

6. Report Spam:

   • If you receive spam messages, you can report them to WhatsApp.
   • Open the chat with the unknown number.
   • Tap on the contact name at the top of the screen.
   • Scroll down and tap "Report Contact". Follow the prompts to report the number as spam.

7. Use Two-Step Verification:

   • Enable two-step verification for an added layer of security.
   • Go to Settings > Account > Two-Step Verification.
   • Tap "Enable" and follow the setup process. This ensures that even if someone tries to verify your number on WhatsApp, they will need access to your six-digit PIN.

By following these steps, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of receiving unwanted messages from unknown numbers on your iPhone via WhatsApp.