How to set up WhatsApp so that "read" receipts are not visible?

How to set up WhatsApp so that read receipts are not visible - briefly?

To prevent others from seeing your read receipts on WhatsApp, you can disable the feature by following these steps: Open WhatsApp, go to Settings > Account > Privacy, and then toggle off "Read Receipts".

How to set up WhatsApp so that read receipts are not visible - in detail?

To ensure that "read" receipts are not visible when using WhatsApp, you need to follow a series of detailed steps that will help maintain your privacy. Here's how you can set up WhatsApp accordingly:

Firstly, it is essential to understand the difference between read receipts and delivery receipts. Read receipts indicate that the message has been read by the recipient, while delivery receipts confirm that the message has been delivered to the recipient's device. By default, WhatsApp allows users to disable read receipts for individual chats or groups without affecting their own ability to see read receipts from others.

1. Disabling Read Receipts for Individual Chats:

   • Open WhatsApp and go to the chat where you want to disable read receipts.
   • Tap on the contact's name at the top of the screen to access the chat settings.
   • Scroll down and toggle off the "Read Receipts" option. This will prevent the sender from knowing when you have read their messages in this specific chat.

2. Disabling Read Receipts for Group Chats:

   • Open WhatsApp and go to the group chat where you want to disable read receipts.
   • Tap on the group's name at the top of the screen to access the group settings.
   • Scroll down and toggle off the "Read Receipts" option. This will prevent the senders in the group from knowing when you have read their messages.

3. Additional Privacy Settings:

   • To further enhance your privacy, go to WhatsApp's settings by tapping on the three dots (⋮) at the top right corner of the screen.
   • Navigate to "Account" > "Privacy." Here you can adjust various settings related to your profile picture, status, and other aspects of your WhatsApp account.

4. Using Airplane Mode:

   • For an additional layer of privacy, especially when you do not want the sender to know that you have even seen their message, you can use Airplane Mode.
   • After receiving a message but before opening it, turn on Airplane Mode on your device.
   • Open WhatsApp and read the message while still in Airplane Mode.
   • Close WhatsApp completely (not just minimizing it) before turning off Airplane Mode. This way, the sender will not receive a read receipt.

By following these steps, you can effectively manage your privacy settings on WhatsApp and control whether "read" receipts are visible to others.