WhatsApp does have read receipts, and they are on by default
When you open a message in WhatsApp, the sender sees two blue checkmarks next to it. Those checkmarks mean you have read the message. This happens automatically — you do not have to do anything to enable it. The feature works on both individual chats and group conversations, though group read receipts work slightly differently.
Read receipts serve one purpose: they tell the sender you have seen their message. One gray checkmark means the message was delivered to your phone. Two gray checkmarks mean it was delivered but you have not opened the chat yet. Two blue checkmarks mean you opened the chat and read the message. This is true whether you actually read every word or just opened the conversation for a second.
Key Takeaways
- Two blue checkmarks in WhatsApp mean you have opened the chat and the sender knows you saw their message.
- You can turn off read receipts in Settings, but then you also cannot see when others have read your messages.
- Turning off read receipts does not hide the fact that you received the message — only that you opened it.
- In group chats, you can see who has read a message by tapping and holding it, even if read receipts are turned off for one-on-one chats.
- Some messaging apps let you disable read receipts per conversation, but WhatsApp applies the setting to all your chats at once.
How to turn off read receipts in WhatsApp
Open WhatsApp and go to Settings (the gear icon on Android, or the Settings tab on iPhone). Tap Privacy. You will see a toggle for Read Receipts. Turn it off. That is the entire process — it takes about 30 seconds.
Once you turn off read receipts, senders will no longer see blue checkmarks when you open their messages. However, this is a trade-off: you also will not see when other people read your messages. The setting applies to all your chats at once. You cannot turn read receipts off for one person and keep them on for another.
If you turn off read receipts and then change your mind, you can turn them back on the same way. The change takes effect immediately, though WhatsApp does not notify people that you have changed the setting.
What read receipts do and do not show
Read receipts only tell you whether someone opened the chat. They do not tell you whether the person actually read the message, understood it, or plans to respond. Someone might open WhatsApp, see your message appear at the top of the screen, and close the app without reading a single word — you would still see two blue checkmarks.
Read receipts also do not show you when someone read your message. You see the checkmarks change from gray to blue the moment they open the chat, but you do not get a timestamp. If someone reads your message at 3 a.m., you will see the blue checkmarks the next time you open WhatsApp, with no way to know when they actually looked at it.
Turning off read receipts does not hide delivery. The message still shows one gray checkmark when it reaches the recipient's phone, and two gray checkmarks when it is delivered. The only thing that changes is whether the recipient sees blue checkmarks when they open the chat.
Read receipts in group chats work differently
In a group conversation, you can see who has read a message even if read receipts are turned off in your privacy settings. Tap and hold any message in a group chat, then tap the info icon (the circle with an "i" in it). A list appears showing who has read the message and when. This works regardless of whether you or the other group members have read receipts enabled.
This means that turning off read receipts protects your privacy in one-on-one chats, but not in groups. If you are in a group where you do not want people to know you have seen a message, there is no setting that will hide that information. The only option is to not open the group chat at all.
Why someone might turn off read receipts
Some people turn off read receipts because they do not want others to know they have seen a message but are not ready to respond. This is common in work chats where opening a message can feel like a commitment to answer immediately. Without read receipts, you can read a message at your own pace without the sender expecting a reply right away.
Others turn them off for privacy reasons — they prefer that nobody knows when they are actively using WhatsApp. Since read receipts show the exact moment you open a chat, turning them off makes your activity less visible to others.
Some people simply find read receipts stressful. They feel pressure to respond quickly once someone knows they have read a message, even if they need time to think or are busy with something else.
What happens if someone has read receipts off
If someone has turned off read receipts, you will see one or two gray checkmarks next to your message, but never blue ones. This does not mean they have not read your message — they may have read it immediately. It only means you cannot tell whether they have opened the chat.
There is no way to know whether someone has read receipts turned off or simply has not opened your message yet. Both situations look identical: gray checkmarks and no blue ones. You have to wait for them to respond or ask them directly if you need to know whether they have seen your message.
Read receipts on different devices
WhatsApp syncs your read receipt setting across all your devices. If you turn off read receipts on your phone, they will be off on your tablet or computer as well. If you use WhatsApp Web, the same setting applies — senders will not see blue checkmarks when you read messages from your computer.
However, if you use WhatsApp on multiple phones, the setting applies to all of them. You cannot have read receipts on for your personal phone and off for your work phone. The feature is tied to your WhatsApp account, not to individual devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see read receipts if I turn off my internet after reading a message?
No. Read receipts are sent the moment you open the chat, not when you close it. If you turn off your internet after reading a message, the sender has already seen the blue checkmarks. Turning off internet afterward does not undo it.
Do read receipts work the same way in group chats as in one-on-one chats?
No. In groups, anyone can see who read a message by tapping the info icon, even if read receipts are turned off. In one-on-one chats, turning off read receipts hides this information completely. The group feature cannot be disabled.
If I turn off read receipts, will people know I did it?
No. WhatsApp does not notify anyone when you change your read receipt setting. People will simply stop seeing blue checkmarks on your messages, but they have no way to know whether you turned the feature off or just stopped opening their chats.
What is the difference between delivered and read?
Delivered means the message reached your phone. Read means you opened the chat and the message appeared on your screen. One gray checkmark is delivered. Two gray checkmarks are delivered. Two blue checkmarks are read.
Can I turn off read receipts for just one person?
No. WhatsApp applies the read receipt setting to all your chats at once. If you turn off read receipts, nobody will see blue checkmarks on your messages. There is no way to keep them on for some people and off for others.