WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. Its ease of use, group chat features, and ability to share photos and videos have made it a favorite way for people to communicate. However, this also means it’s easy for people you don’t know to find and contact you on WhatsApp if they have your phone number. Here are some tips on how to stop people finding you and maintain your privacy on WhatsApp.
Make your profile photo private
By default, your profile photo on WhatsApp is visible to anyone. This makes it easy for strangers to find you by your photo. To make your profile private:
- Open WhatsApp Settings
- Tap Account > Privacy
- Turn on “Profile Photo”
This will make your profile photo only visible to your contacts, preventing strangers from identifying you by your picture.
Hide your “Last Seen” status
The “Last Seen” status shows your contacts the last time you were active on WhatsApp. This can allow people to see when you’re online and available to chat. To hide it:
- Go to WhatsApp Settings > Account > Privacy
- Tap “Last Seen” and select “Nobody” to hide it from everyone
You can also choose to show it to only your contacts rather than everyone if you prefer some privacy but not total secrecy.
Disable read receipts
Read receipts allow people to see when you’ve read their messages. This is another way strangers can monitor your activity if you have their number. To turn read receipts off:
- Go to WhatsApp Settings > Account > Privacy
- Turn off “Read Receipts”
This will prevent anyone from knowing if you’ve read their messages or not.
Limit who can see your status updates
Like other social media apps, WhatsApp has a “Status” feature where you can post photo and video updates that disappear after 24 hours. By default, your status updates are visible to all your contacts.
To limit who can see them:
- Go to WhatsApp Settings > Account > Privacy
- Tap “Status” and choose to share with “My Contacts Except…”
- Select specific contacts to exclude from seeing your status updates
This will let you share statuses with only people you trust while excluding others.
Disable your live location sharing
WhatsApp allows you to share your real-time location with contacts. If activated, this gives people constant access to your location data. Turn this off by:
- Opening the chat with the contact you’re sharing with
- Tap More Options > Stop Sharing
This will immediately stop location sharing with that contact. You can also go into your app settings to disable location sharing completely.
Block anyone who spams you
If strangers do get your number and start messaging you unsolicitedly, don’t hesitate to block them on WhatsApp. This will:
- Prevent them from viewing your profile photo, status, and when you’re online
- Stop them from contacting you again from the same number
To block a contact:
- Open your chat with them
- Tap their name at the top and select Block
Blocking is the best way to stop someone from viewing your WhatsApp activity or contacting you again.
Change your privacy settings on linked accounts
If you have linked social media accounts like Facebook to your WhatsApp profile, be sure their privacy settings are also activated. Strangers can still potentially find you via linked platforms that have looser privacy controls.
Frequently check your privacy settings on all linked accounts and limit the visibility of your personal data to stay protected.
Watch out for fake WhatsApp security warnings
Beware of scammers sending fake security warning messages claiming your WhatsApp account is violating policies. They typically say you must verify your number to avoid being deleted.
These are phishing attempts trying to trick you into giving up your number and login details. WhatsApp will never message you on the app asking for your number or account info.
Don’t add unknown numbers to your contacts
A common spam tactic is for scammers to message you from an unknown number pretending to know you. If you save their number, you give them a permanent gateway to contact you again.
Be very cautious about saving unknown numbers as contacts. You can still reply to them once without needing their contact.
Use a spam call and text blocking app
Third party spam blocking apps like Truecaller add an extra layer of protection beyond WhatsApp’s built-in settings. They maintain huge databases of known spam numbers to automatically block any suspicious calls or texts.
Having this backup can be useful if a spammer gets around WhatsApp’s blocking and starts harassing you from a new number.
Don’t publicly post your phone number
Avoid posting your phone number publicly on social media profiles, online forums, dating profiles, and anywhere else it could be indexed. This only makes it easier for spammers to find your details.
Similarly, don’t openly share your number with people you don’t know very well or trust. Be selective about who gets access to contacting you directly.
Conclusion
WhatsApp may be convenient, but also carries privacy risks if strangers can access your number and profile. Utilize the app’s privacy settings like disabling read receipts, profile photo visibility, status sharing, and live locations. Block any suspicious numbers contacting you.
Also be careful about how freely you hand out your number online or offline. With caution, you can still enjoy WhatsApp’s benefits without unwelcome invasions of your privacy and anonymity.
| Setting | Recommended Value for Privacy |
|---|---|
| Profile Photo Visibility | Contacts Only |
| Last Seen Status | Nobody |
| Read Receipts | Off |
| Status Sharing | My Contacts Except… |
| Live Location Sharing | Off |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be completely invisible on WhatsApp?
There is no way to be 100% invisible on WhatsApp if you are using the app. However, by disabling all privacy settings like read receipts, last seen, profile photo, and status sharing, you can become practically invisible to anyone not already in your contacts.
Is hiding my last seen status effective?
Yes, hiding your last seen status is very effective at preventing strangers from tracking your activity on WhatsApp. They will have no way to know if you are actively online and available for chatting or not.
Can I see someone’s WhatsApp status without them knowing?
No, there is no way to view someone’s status updates on WhatsApp without them being notified. If you turn off read receipts, they won’t know if you’ve viewed specific messages, but they will still see if you’ve viewed their status.
What happens if I block someone on WhatsApp?
Blocking someone prevents them from viewing your last seen, online status, profile photo, or status updates. It also stops them from contacting you again using that phone number.
Can someone on WhatsApp find me based on my phone number?
Yes, any WhatsApp user can message or try to contact you if they have your phone number, even if they’re not your contact. This is why you should be careful about who you give your number to.
Is it safe to share my live location on WhatsApp?
Sharing your precise, real-time location through live location sharing is generally not very safe. While it can be useful in limited situations like coordinating meetups with trusted contacts, prolonged location sharing gives others constant access to your personal whereabouts.
Can I get in trouble for blocking someone on WhatsApp?
No, you cannot get into any legal trouble for blocking another WhatsApp user, even if they haven’t done anything obviously wrong. Blocking is a personal decision and completely within your rights on a private messaging platform.
How can I tell if a WhatsApp security notice is fake?
WhatsApp will never message you first asking for personal information or your account number. Any “security notices” along these lines are scams. Go into WhatsApp settings yourself to confirm there are no issues with your account.
What’s the best app for blocking spam calls and texts?
Apps like Truecaller, Mr. Number, WhosCall, and Hiya are all highly effective at identifying and blocking spam calls and messages. They maintain huge databases of known spam numbers and leverage user reports to protect against new threats.
Tips to Further Enhance Your WhatsApp Privacy
Here are some additional expert tips for keeping your WhatsApp activity private and secure:
- Use two-factor authentication – This adds an extra login step to prevent unauthorized access.
- Change privacy settings for groups – Adjust who can add you to groups and view/edit group info.
- Log out remotely – You can now log out of WhatsApp on other devices from within your app.
- Avoid public/open WiFi – Open networks are easier for hackers to intercept data from.
- Evaluate your connections – Delete old contacts and numbers you no longer need to tighten security.
- Update to the latest version – Make sure you have the most up-to-date security enhancements.
- Be wary of all links/files – Don’t download or open anything from an untrusted source, as it could put your data at risk.
Summary of Best Practices
Here’s a quick recap of the key tips covered in this guide:
- Make profile photo private
- Hide “Last Seen” status
- Turn off read receipts
- Limit status sharing
- Stop live location access
- Block spam accounts
- Change privacy on linked accounts
- Avoid posting number publicly
- Use spam call/text blockers
- Don’t add unknown contacts
- Watch for phishing scams
Following these best practices for your WhatsApp settings,contacts, groups, and data sharing will help maximize your privacy and security.