WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps, used by over 2 billion people worldwide. It relies on your phone number as the main way to identify your account and connect you with your contacts. This means your phone number is visible to your contacts and anyone you message or call through WhatsApp.
Many WhatsApp users wonder – can I make my number private on WhatsApp so others can’t see it? The short answer is no, there is no built-in way to completely hide your phone number on WhatsApp.
However, there are some steps you can take to increase privacy and control who can see your phone number on WhatsApp:
Why your number is visible on WhatsApp
When you sign up for WhatsApp, you must provide your phone number which becomes your account identifier. This allows WhatsApp to connect you with your contacts who also use WhatsApp.
Your phone number is then visible to your contacts and anyone you message or call on WhatsApp. They can see your number in a few places:
- In their contacts list next to your name
- At the top of individual and group chats with you
- In group info if you’re an admin
- If someone receives a call from you on WhatsApp
Having a visible phone number enables useful WhatsApp features like knowing who a message is from even if not in your contacts. It also allows people to easily message or call you on WhatsApp without needing your username.
Limit who can see your number
While you can’t completely hide your number on WhatsApp, you can limit your privacy exposure and control who can see your phone number to some extent.
1. Use WhatsApp Settings
In WhatsApp Settings, go to Account > Privacy and toggle off these options:
- Everyone – Disable to prevent your number from showing up in search results
- My Contacts – Disable to hide your number from non-contacts
This will hide your number from strangers searching WhatsApp and only show it to your existing contacts who already have your number saved.
2. Be selective with who you give your number
WhatsApp displays your number automatically to anyone in your contacts list. To prevent strangers or casual acquaintances from seeing your number, be selective about who you give your number to and save as an official contact.
You can also ask contacts you trust to not share your number further without permission.
3. Use WhatsApp Web/Desktop
When using WhatsApp Web/Desktop without your phone connected, your profile will show your WhatsApp username instead of number. This hides your number from desktop contacts.
However, your number will still be visible on their phones if they have you saved in contacts.
4. Delete messages
If someone without your number messages you first on WhatsApp, they will then see your number at the top of the chat. To hide it after the fact, simply delete the message thread which removes the number from their view.
Pros and cons of a private number
Hiding your phone number on WhatsApp does have some advantages:
- More privacy – fewer people can see your personal number
- Avoid unwanted contact – prevent strangers from messaging you
- Separate work and personal life – use different numbers for different purposes
However, there are also some drawbacks to consider:
- Less convenience – contacts must know your number to message you
- Appear less trustworthy – hidden number seems suspicious to some
- Lose WhatsApp if you swap numbers – tied to your number rather than username
- Still visible on calls – number appears when you call someone
Other ways to increase WhatsApp privacy
In addition to your phone number, there are some other privacy settings and features to consider:
Profile photo and info
You can choose who can see your profile photo and “About” status info. Go to Settings > Account > Privacy and adjust the options.
Read receipts
Disable read receipts in Settings > Account > Privacy to prevent contacts from knowing when you’ve read their messages.
Groups
In group settings, change who can add you to groups to “My Contacts” to avoid being added by strangers.
Location sharing
Always be cautious before sharing a live location in chat. You have control to stop sharing at any time.
Block contacts
Block unwanted contacts so they can no longer message you or see your profile and online status.
Two-step verification
Enable two-step verification for added security on your account to prevent unauthorized access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use WhatsApp without revealing my number?
No, using WhatsApp requires a phone number which will be visible to your contacts and people you chat with. There is no way to hide it completely while using the normal WhatsApp.
Can I change my number on WhatsApp?
Yes, you can change the number linked to your WhatsApp account by going to Settings – Account – Change Number. Your contacts will see your new number after changing it.
Can I have two WhatsApp accounts with one number?
No, each WhatsApp account must have a unique phone number. You cannot have two accounts with the same number.
Is it bad for privacy to show my number on WhatsApp?
It’s generally fine to have your number visible to your close contacts. But exposing it unnecessarily to strangers does carry privacy risks like spam calls or texts. Use your best judgment when sharing your number.
Can someone hack my WhatsApp if they know my number?
It’s unlikely, but not impossible. Always use a strong password and two-factor authentication to secure your WhatsApp account.
Conclusion
While you can’t fully hide your phone number on WhatsApp due to how it works, there are steps you can take to improve your privacy and security:
- Limit your number visibility in settings to just your contacts
- Be selective in who you give your number to
- Use WhatsApp Web to chat without your number showing
- Enable other privacy options like disabling read receipts
- Block and report any suspicious contacts or behaviors
Exposing your phone number does come with some risks. But following general privacy best practices can help minimize unauthorized use of your number or account.
Ultimately there is a tradeoff between convenience and privacy when using a messaging app like WhatsApp. Adjust your settings appropriately for your comfort level and situation.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| More privacy | Less convenience for contacts |
| Avoid unwanted messages | Appear less trustworthy |
| Separate work and personal life | Lose account if you change numbers |
Other WhatsApp Privacy Tips
| Feature | Privacy Tips |
|---|---|
| Profile Photo | Control who can see your profile photo |
| About Info | Limit your “About” status info visibility |
| Read Receipts | Disable read receipts for more privacy |
| Groups | Limit who can add you to groups |
| Location Sharing | Share selectively and stop when wanted |
| Block Contacts | Block unwanted contacts |
| Two-Step Verification | Enable for added security |