WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over two billion users worldwide. One of the handy features of WhatsApp is the ability to send messages quickly using the Enter key. However, some users may find this annoying or accidentally send messages before they’re ready. Fortunately, there are a few different ways to disable the Enter key on WhatsApp for iOS and Android devices.
Why Would You Want to Disable the Enter Key on WhatsApp?
Here are some common reasons why you may want to turn off the ability to send messages using the Enter key in WhatsApp:
- Avoid sending incomplete or accidental messages – Pressing Enter by mistake could lead to sending an unfinished message.
- Prevent mistakes caused by “butt dialing” – If your phone is in your pocket, the Enter key could be pressed unintentionally.
- Stop messages sent by pocket dialing – A phone in a bag or pocket might also accidentally press the Enter key and send a garbled message.
- More control over sending messages – For some, the Enter key makes it too easy to fire off a message. Disabling it allows more time to review messages before sending.
- Avoid misunderstandings caused by rapid sending – Taking an extra second to reread messages before sending can prevent miscommunications.
Disabling the ability to send messages with the Enter key forces you to manually tap the send button instead. This gives you an extra moment to review your messages before firing them off, preventing embarrassing mistakes or incomplete thoughts from being sent accidentally.
How to Turn Off Enter Key on iPhone
If you have an iPhone and want to disable the ability to send WhatsApp messages with the Enter key, here are the steps:
- Open WhatsApp and go to the Settings tab.
- Tap on “Chats.”
- Under “ENTER IS SEND,” toggle the switch off (gray).
That’s it! Now when you’re in a WhatsApp chat, pressing the Enter key on your iPhone’s keyboard will simply create a new line in the message composition box rather than sending the message.
Where to Find the Setting
To clarify where exactly to find this setting, here are the steps again with screenshots:
- Open WhatsApp and tap the Settings tab on the bottom right.
- Go into Chats.
- Under “ENTER IS SEND,” toggle the switch to the off/gray position.
Now the Enter key will simply create a new line instead of sending your message.
Disabling Enter Key on Android
If you have an Android phone and want to stop the Enter key from sending WhatsApp messages, here is how to do it:
- Open WhatsApp and tap the 3-dot Menu button.
- Go to Settings.
- Tap on Chats.
- Toggle off the “Enter key to send” option.
And that’s all you need to do! The Enter key will no longer automatically send messages on WhatsApp after you toggle this setting off.
Step-by-Step Android Instructions
To make it clear exactly where to find this setting on Android, here are the steps again with screenshots:
- Open WhatsApp and tap the 3-dot menu button in the top right corner.
- Select Settings.
- Tap Chats.
- Toggle off “Enter key to send.”
After toggling this setting off, the Enter key will no longer send messages automatically on Android devices.
Using a Third-Party App to Disable Enter Key
In addition to the built-in settings in WhatsApp, there are also third-party apps you can use to disable the Enter key system-wide on your iPhone or Android phone when typing in any app.
For iPhone users, an app like iKeys can customize your keyboard however you like. You can use it to disable the Enter key specifically in WhatsApp only, or turn it off globally on your device.
On Android, apps like Button Mapper or Keyboard Manager allow you to customize your on-screen keyboard any way you want. You can disable just the Enter key completely or select which apps you want it disabled in.
The benefit to using a third-party keyboard app is it gives you more customization options, like disabling Enter key on a per-app basis. The downside is you have to install another app solely for managing your keyboard.
Does This Setting Sync Across Devices?
A common question is whether disabling the Enter key on one device syncs across all your devices where you use WhatsApp.
Unfortunately, at this time WhatsApp does NOT sync keyboard or chat settings across devices. So turning off Enter key on your iPhone will only affect that device.
If you also use WhatsApp on an Android tablet and want the Enter key disabled there too, you would have to manually go into WhatsApp’s settings on the Android device and toggle the “Enter is send” option off there as well.
It would be more convenient if WhatsApp allowed you to sync chat settings across devices connected to the same account. But currently each device’s app has separate settings.
Extra Tips for Avoiding Accidental Sends
Along with disabling the Enter key, here are some other useful tips to avoid sending messages accidentally before you’re ready:
- Add a delay – WhatsApp has a setting to add a short delay before a message sends, giving you a chance to undo it if sent prematurely.
- Use preview – Review your whole message before sending by enabling WhatsApp’s preview settings.
- Turn off read receipts – This can reduce pressure to respond quickly before thinking a message through fully.
- Set chat lock – Lock WhatsApp with a passcode or biometric lock to avoid pocket sends.
- Enable focus mode – This can mute notifications for a set time so you aren’t rushed into responding.
Using a combination of these tips along with disabling the Enter key can give you the most control over your WhatsApp messages and prevent unintended sends.
Turning Enter Key Back On
If you change your mind later and want to re-enable sending messages with the Enter key, it’s easy to turn back on:
- iPhone – Go to WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Toggle “Enter is Send” back on.
- Android – Go to WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Toggle “Enter key to send” back on.
Toggling these settings back on will immediately reactivate the ability to send WhatsApp messages with the Enter key, just like before.
Conclusion
Being able to quickly send WhatsApp messages with the Enter key can be convenient, but also lead to unintended sends if you’re not careful. Fortunately, disabling this feature is simple on both iPhones and Android devices if you dive into WhatsApp’s settings.
Along with fine-tuning WhatsApp’s built-in settings, third-party keyboard apps provide even more customization options. With the Enter key disabled, you can chat on WhatsApp with confidence knowing each message is sent only when you’re ready.
While disabling the Enter key might require an extra tap to send messages, it can save you from embarrassing mistakes or miscommunications. Give it a try if you’re prone to accidental sends!
| Platform | Steps to Disable Enter Key |
|---|---|
| iPhone |
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| Android |
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Let us know if you have any other questions! Happy messaging.