Similar to other messaging apps, the Read Receipt feature in WhatsApp provides confirmation about the status of your sent message by making use of checkmarks that appear next to the sent message.
When a single blue checkmark appears next to the sent message, the Read Receipt feature in WhatsApp is indicating that your message has been delivered to the device of your Recipient and the appearance of a second blue check mark confirms that your message has been read by the recipient (or at-least opened & glanced).
While the Read Receipt feature in WhatsApp is useful, it is not uncommon to find users wanting to disable the Read Receipts in order to break the habit of being compelled to respond to the messages immediately and prevent the possibility of creating misunderstandings, if they end up being late in responding to messages.
Disable Read Receipts in WhatsApp
If required due to privacy or other reasons, you can switch off the Read Receipts in your WhatsApp Account and this will prevent others from knowing whether or not you have read their message.
Before disabling Read Receipts, you need to be aware that this feature works on a reciprocal basis, which means both you and your Contacts won’t be able see the Read Receipts of each other.
If you are OK with not being able to see the Read Receipts of your Contacts, you can go ahead and disable Read Receipts in your WhatsApp Account.
Related: How to Read WhatsApp Messages Without Notifying Sender.
1. Turn OFF Read Receipts in WhatsApp On iPhone
Follow the steps below to disable Read Receipts in your WhatsApp account on iPhone.
1. Open WhatsApp and tap on your Profile tab located in bottom-menu.
2. From the next screen, go to Privacy and move toggle next to Read Receipts to OFF position.
2. Disable WhatsApp Read Receipts on Android Phone
Follow the steps below to disable Read Receipts in WhatsApp on Android Phone.
1. Open WhatsApp > 3 dots Menu icon (top-right) and select Settings in the drop-down menu.
2. From the Settings screen, navigate to Accounts > Privacy > uncheck Read Receipts option.
Once you Turn OFF Read receipts, your Contacts won’t be able to see whether or not you have read their Messages.
As mentioned above, this feature works both ways, which means that from now onwards you will also not receive a confirmation or Read Receipt, when your messages are read by others.