13 Key Features to Enhance Your Privacy on WhatsApp

Step 1: Disable Last Seen & Online Notifications

Being constantly visible can feel overwhelming. To hide your last seen and online status, tap on the three dots (Android) or select the Settings icon (iPhone) within the app. Then, go to Privacy, and select Last seen and online. Choose Nobody for visibility settings. Remember, this also means you won’t see others’ last seen statuses.

Pro Tip: Hiding your status can help alleviate anxiety about being watched online!

Step 2: Manage Visibility of Your Profile Photo

To attract less attention, adjust who can see your profile photo. Access Settings, navigate to Privacy, and then to Profile photo. Opt for My contacts or Nobody for maximum privacy.

Step 3: Configure Who Sees Your About Message

Your ‘About’ message can reveal personal insights. To change its visibility, go to Settings, click on Privacy, and then About. Adjust the settings from Everyone to your chosen privacy level.

Step 4: Limit Access to Your Status Updates

WhatsApp status updates can be shared with all contacts. To customize who sees your status, go to Settings, select Privacy, and then Status. Opt for My contacts except, or specify Only share with certain contacts.

Step 5: Turn Off Read Receipts

To read messages without sending a read receipt, navigate to Settings and go to Privacy to disable read receipts. This change ensures you can browse messages discreetly.

Step 6: Enable Disappearing Messages

For conversations you wish to remain private, activate disappearing messages. Open a chat, click on the three-dot menu, and select Disappearing messages. You can choose how long messages will last before disappearing.

Step 7: Control Group Invitations

Prevent unwanted additions to groups by adjusting settings. Go to Settings, then Privacy, and choose Groups. Select a preference, such as allowing only contacts to add you.

Step 8: Silence Calls from Unknown Numbers

To avoid unsolicited spam calls, access Settings, Privacy, and then Calls. Toggle on Silence unknown callers to mute calls from numbers not in your contact list.

Step 9: Set Up App Lock for Additional Security

For added security, set up an app lock via Settings, Privacy, and select App lock. Enable biometric authentication to access the app, and remember to hide content in notifications.

Step 10: Enable Chat Lock for Specific Conversations

If you want to keep certain chats private, go to the chat and tap on the profile picture. Activate Chat lock and confirm your selection to secure that specific conversation.

Step 11: Turn on Two-Factor Authentication

Enhancing your account security is crucial. Navigate to Settings and select Account, then enable two-factor authentication for extra protection against unauthorized access.

Step 12: Block Unwanted Contacts

If you’re bothered by a contact, you can block them. Open the chat, tap on their name, scroll to Block, and confirm. For PC users, block them through the profile picture menu.

Step 13: Protect Your IP Address

Your IP address can reveal personal information. Head to Settings, then Privacy, and navigate to Advanced. Enable options to protect your IP address during calls and disable link previews.

Can others see when I turn off my Last Seen status?

What happens if I block a contact?