How to turn off read receipts on WhatsApp

Complete guide with multiple methods and troubleshooting for WhatsApp read receipts.

7-10 min read
Expert Verified
Last Updated: August 2025

Quick Answer

To turn off read receipts on WhatsApp, navigate to the 'Settings' menu, select 'Privacy', and toggle off the 'Read Receipts' option. This will prevent others from seeing when you have read their messages.

Easy⏱ 7-10 min read

Prerequisites & Requirements

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:
  • •WhatsApp installed on your device (latest version recommended).
  • •An active internet connection.
  • •Access to your device's settings.
  • •No pending updates for WhatsApp that could affect functionality.

Method 1: Disabling Read Receipts via WhatsApp Settings

This is the primary method to turn off read receipts directly within the app settings.
  • •Step 1: Open WhatsApp on your device.
  • •Step 2: Tap on the three dots (⋮) in the top right corner (for Android) or the 'Settings' tab at the bottom right (for iOS).
  • •Step 3: Select 'Settings' from the dropdown menu.
  • •Step 4: Tap on 'Privacy'.
  • •Step 5: Scroll down to find 'Read Receipts' and toggle it off.
  • •Step 6: You should see a confirmation message indicating that read receipts have been disabled.
  • •Step 7: To verify, send a message to a contact and check if the blue ticks appear after reading.

For Windows 11

If using WhatsApp Web on Windows 11, follow these steps:
  • •Step 1: Open WhatsApp Web in your browser.
  • •Step 2: Click on the three dots (⋮) in the top left corner.
  • •Step 3: Select 'Settings'.
  • •Step 4: Click on 'Privacy'.
  • •Step 5: Toggle off 'Read Receipts'.
  • •Step 6: Confirm the change by sending a message and checking the tick marks.

For Windows 10

For users on Windows 10 using WhatsApp Web, the steps are similar:
  • •Step 1: Open WhatsApp Web in your browser.
  • •Step 2: Click on the three dots (⋮) in the top left corner.
  • •Step 3: Select 'Settings'.
  • •Step 4: Click on 'Privacy'.
  • •Step 5: Toggle off 'Read Receipts'.
  • •Step 6: Confirm the change by sending a message and checking the tick marks.

Method 2: Disabling Read Receipts via Privacy Settings

This method is useful if you want to adjust multiple privacy settings at once.
  • •Step 1: Open WhatsApp and go to 'Settings'.
  • •Step 2: Tap on 'Privacy'.
  • •Step 3: Toggle off 'Read Receipts'.
  • •Step 4: Review other privacy settings such as 'Last Seen' and 'Profile Photo' for additional privacy.
  • •Step 5: Confirm the changes by sending a message to a contact and checking the tick marks.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter issues while trying to disable read receipts, consider the following solutions:
  • •Error: 'Read Receipts' option is greyed out - Solution: Ensure that you are not in a group chat, as read receipts cannot be disabled for group messages.
  • •Issue: Changes not saving - Fix: Restart WhatsApp and try again; ensure you have the latest version of the app.
  • •Problem: Read receipts still showing - Workaround: Check if you have blocked the contact, as read receipts are not sent in blocked chats.

Advanced Tips & Shortcuts

Enhance your WhatsApp experience with these tips:
  • •Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + M (Windows) - Mute a chat quickly.
  • •Command line: /mute [duration] - Mute a chat for a specified duration.
  • •Hidden feature: Archived Chats - Access archived chats by scrolling to the bottom of your chat list.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common pitfalls:

Expert Tips

For optimal privacy management, regularly review your WhatsApp privacy settings to ensure they align with your preferences.