Yes, you can turn off read receipts on WhatsApp, but the setting works differently on different devices
WhatsApp lets you disable read receipts — the blue checkmarks that show when you've read a message — but the option is in different places depending on whether you use iPhone or Android. On both platforms, turning off read receipts means nobody will see when you've read their messages. The trade-off is that you also won't see when others have read yours.
The setting is permanent once you change it, though you can turn it back on anytime. WhatsApp doesn't let you disable read receipts for specific people or conversations — it's all or nothing across your entire account.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy and toggle off Read Receipts; on Android, go to Settings > Account > Privacy and uncheck Read Receipts.
- Turning off read receipts hides when you read messages from everyone, and also hides when others read your messages from you.
- You cannot disable read receipts for just one person or one conversation — the setting applies to your whole account.
- WhatsApp still shows delivery checkmarks (one gray check when sent, two gray checks when delivered) even with read receipts off.
How to turn off read receipts on iPhone
Open WhatsApp and tap Settings in the bottom right corner. Then tap Privacy. You'll see a toggle for Read Receipts — tap it to turn it off. The toggle will no longer be blue or highlighted.
Once you've done this, your contacts won't see blue checkmarks when you read their messages. The change takes effect immediately and applies to all your conversations.
How to turn off read receipts on Android
Open WhatsApp and tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner, then tap Settings. Tap Account, then Privacy. You'll see a checkbox next to Read Receipts — uncheck it.
Like on iPhone, this change applies to all your conversations right away. Your contacts will no longer see when you've read their messages.
What happens when you turn off read receipts
When read receipts are off, your contacts see only one gray checkmark next to their messages — the "delivered" status. They won't see the second blue checkmark that normally appears when you read the message. This applies to all one-on-one chats and group conversations.
The downside is that you also lose the ability to see when others have read your messages. You'll see one gray checkmark (sent) and two gray checkmarks (delivered), but no blue checkmarks from anyone else. This is a single setting that affects both directions at once.
Read receipts in group chats
In group conversations, read receipts work the same way — if you turn them off, group members won't see blue checkmarks next to your name when you read messages. However, other group members who have read receipts turned on will still show blue checkmarks to you and to everyone else in the group.
If you're in a group where most people have read receipts on, turning yours off won't change what you see from them. You'll still see who has read the group messages.
The difference between read receipts and delivery status
WhatsApp shows two different things: delivery status and read status. A single gray checkmark means the message was sent from your phone. Two gray checkmarks mean the message reached the recipient's phone. A blue checkmark (or two blue checkmarks in group chats) means the recipient has opened WhatsApp and read the message.
Turning off read receipts only hides the blue checkmarks. The gray checkmarks always stay visible, so your contacts will still know when you've received their messages — they just won't know when you've actually read them.
Turning read receipts back on
If you change your mind, you can turn read receipts back on anytime using the same steps. On iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy and toggle Read Receipts back on. On Android, go to Settings > Account > Privacy and check the Read Receipts box.
Once you turn them back on, your contacts will start seeing blue checkmarks again when you read their messages. There's no waiting period or confirmation — the change is immediate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will people know I turned off read receipts?
No. WhatsApp doesn't notify anyone when you change your read receipt setting. People will simply stop seeing blue checkmarks from you, but they won't receive a message saying you've disabled the feature. Some people might notice the change over time, but WhatsApp itself doesn't announce it.
Can I turn off read receipts for just one person?
No. The read receipt setting applies to your entire account — all conversations, all contacts, one-on-one chats, and groups. WhatsApp doesn't offer a way to disable read receipts for specific people or conversations only.
What if someone has read receipts off and I have them on?
You'll see blue checkmarks when you read their messages, but they won't see blue checkmarks when they read yours. Each person's setting works independently. Your read receipts being on doesn't force theirs to be on, and vice versa.
Do read receipts work the same way on WhatsApp Web?
Yes. If you've turned off read receipts on your phone, the setting carries over to WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp Desktop. You don't need to change the setting separately on different devices — it's tied to your account, not your device.
Can I see if someone else has read receipts turned off?
Not directly. If someone consistently doesn't show blue checkmarks, they might have read receipts off — but they could also just not be opening WhatsApp. There's no way to confirm someone's read receipt setting from your end.