WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. Its ease of use and versatility make it a convenient way to stay in touch with friends and family. However, many WhatsApp users get annoyed by constant message requests from strangers or unwanted contacts. Thankfully, WhatsApp provides options to block and ignore these message requests so you can avoid unwanted chats. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the different ways to block and ignore message requests on WhatsApp.
What are WhatsApp message requests?
WhatsApp has a feature that allows anyone to send you a message, even if they don’t have your phone number saved in their contacts. These are called message requests. When someone sends you a message request, you will get a notification saying you have received a message from an unknown contact.
Message requests were introduced to make it easier for businesses and strangers to reach you on WhatsApp without having your phone number. However, many people find them invasive and annoying. Thankfully, you can block and ignore these requests.
Why would you want to block WhatsApp message requests?
Here are some common reasons you may want to block message requests on WhatsApp:
- To stop getting messages from strangers – This is the most common reason. You likely don’t want random people messaging you out of the blue.
- To avoid spam messages – Spammers often use message requests to send bulk promotional messages.
- To prevent unwanted contact – You may wish to block a specific person like an ex-partner or someone harassing you.
- To limit business solicitations – Many businesses send unsolicited messages to promote their products/services.
- To control who can contact you – Blocking requests allows you to dictate who can message you on WhatsApp.
Overall, blocking message requests gives you greater control over who can interact with you on WhatsApp. It helps avoid disturbance from unwanted messages.
How to block WhatsApp message requests on iPhone
Blocking message requests on iPhone is easy and can be done in a few steps:
- Open WhatsApp and go to the ‘Settings’ tab.
- Tap on ‘Account’ and select ‘Privacy’
- Under ‘Who Can Add Me’, tap on ‘Everyone’
- In the pop-up window, select ‘My Contacts Except…’
- This will block messages from anyone not already in your contacts.
Alternatively, you can block an individual sender:
- Open the message request you want to block
- Tap on the name/number at the top
- Select ‘Block Contact’ to block the sender
The senders you block will no longer be able to send you any message requests. Their messages will not show up in your inbox anymore.
Blocking WhatsApp message requests on Android
The process is very similar on Android devices:
- Open WhatsApp and tap on the 3-dot menu in the top right
- Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Account’ > ‘Privacy’
- Tap on ‘Who Can Add Me’
- Choose ‘My Contacts Except…’ to block non-contacts
To block an individual sender:
- Open their message request
- Tap on their name/number at the top
- Select ‘Block’ to block them
This will ensure you do not receive any more message requests from numbers/senders you block.
How to ignore WhatsApp message requests
If you don’t want to outright block the senders, you can simply ignore their message requests instead. New message requests will still come in, but specific ones can be ignored.
On iPhone:
- Tap and open the message request you want to ignore
- Tap on the name/number on the top
- Select ‘Ignore’ to stop notifications from this specific sender
On Android:
- Open the message request
- Tap on the 3-dot menu in the top-right corner
- Select ‘Ignore’ to stop notifications from this sender
Even if you ignore requests, senders can still continue to send you messages. But you will no longer get notified about their new messages.
Using WhatsApp privacy settings
Apart from blocking individuals, WhatsApp has privacy settings to control who can see your information and interact with you:
- Profile Photo – Choose who can see your profile photo
- About – Select who can view your About status message
- Last Seen – Configure who can see when you were last online
- Status – Set who can view your WhatsApp status updates
Adjust these settings as per your preferences to better control your privacy on WhatsApp.
Important points to remember
Here are some key things to keep in mind about managing message requests:
- Blocked contacts can still message you if they get your phone number directly and save it in their phone’s contacts.
- Messages from blocked senders are deleted and cannot be recovered.
- Group admins can still add you to groups even if you’ve blocked them individually.
- Ignoring only mutes notifications. It does not block message delivery.
- Adjust privacy settings cautiously as they also impact your friends and family.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Do blocked contacts know they are blocked?
A: No, WhatsApp does not notify users if you block them. The messages will not go through, but senders will not know the reason.
Q: Can I still receive calls if I block someone?
A: Yes, blocking only prevents text messages. Voice and video calls will still come through as normal.
Q: Can I block someone who is not in my contacts?
A: Yes, you can block anyone by number even if they are not in your contacts list on WhatsApp.
Q: What happens if I clear a message request without blocking?
A: Clearing only removes the notification. The sender can continue to send you more message requests.
Q: Is there a limit to how many people I can block?
A: There is no limit to the number of contacts you can block on WhatsApp.
Conclusion
WhatsApp message requests allow anyone to send you a text even without having your number saved. While this provides wider connectivity, it can be disruptive and annoying if misused. Thankfully, WhatsApp gives you full control to block both individual senders and broader non-contacts. You can also ignore requests and adjust privacy settings to further avoid unwanted messages. Carefully utilizing these blocking features ensures you have a hassle-free messaging experience.
