howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-turn-off-read-receipts-on-whatsapp-on-android/ · Checked October 2026 · Google Pixel 10a, Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005), WhatsApp 2.26.41.77
In this guide
Open WhatsApp Settings, Privacy and switch off Read receipts. Others then no longer see blue ticks when you read their messages, but you lose theirs too, and group chats always send read receipts.
4 of 4 steps with real screenshots · 2 official sources below
- Device
- Android
- Shown on
- Google Pixel 10a, Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005), WhatsApp 2.26.41.77
- App
- Real screenshots
- 4 of 4 steps
- Checked
- October 2026
- Sources
- 2 official, linked below
Step by step
Open WhatsApp Settings
On the Chats tab, tap the three dots at the top right, then Settings.
Tap Privacy
It is below Account: Blocked accounts, disappearing messages.
Switch off Read receipts
Under the personal info rows. The page says: If turned off, you won't send or receive Read receipts. Read receipts are always sent for group chats.
Check that the switch is grey
Ours with Read receipts off. Nothing else on the page changed.
If you do not see this option
- On an iPhone? WhatsApp's iPhone help gives the same route: WhatsApp Settings, Privacy, then Read receipts. Source: How to change your privacy settings
- Voice messages? WhatsApp says play receipts for voice messages can't be turned off. Source: How to check read receipts
If this does not work
- Can't see who viewed your status? WhatsApp says that with read receipts off you can't see who viewed your status. Source: How to change your privacy settings
- Blue ticks still show in groups? WhatsApp says turning read receipts off won't disable them for group chats, and there's no way to turn those off. Source: How to check read receipts
- Blue ticks missing from someone else? WhatsApp says they may have turned read receipts off, blocked you, or not opened the chat yet. Source: How to check read receipts
About this guide
Read receipts are the two blue ticks. The switch is on the main Privacy page, not on its own page.
The screenshots are from our Google Pixel 10a with Android 17 and WhatsApp 2.26.41.77, in Dark mode, taken on 25 October 2026. The switch was on; we switched it off for the last shot, then on again.
Good to know
To hide when you were last online, see hide your last seen on WhatsApp.
In short: WhatsApp, three dots, Settings, Privacy, Read receipts off.
- WhatsApp Help Center: How to check read receipts
- WhatsApp Help Center: How to change your privacy settings
Links checked in October 2026. Menus and features can change after software updates. These steps match the version named at the top.
📷 See real photos from the Pixel 10a in our Camera Lab, next to 10 other phones.
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