Want to hide the blue tick in WhatsApp so nobody knows you have read their message? The blue ticks appear the moment you open a chat, and there is no way to remove them from a single conversation. The only reliable method is to turn off read receipts, and this guide shows you how to do it on Android and iPhone.
What do the ticks in WhatsApp mean?
WhatsApp uses tick marks to show the delivery status of your messages. A single grey tick means your message was sent, while two grey ticks mean it was delivered to the recipient’s phone.
Two blue ticks appear when the recipient has actually opened and read your message. When you disable read receipts, you stop sending that signal, but you also stop seeing it from others.
Why should you hide the blue tick?
Turning off read receipts gives you breathing room. You can read a message and reply when you are ready, without the sender knowing you have already seen it.
It also helps when you are tired of forwards or when someone keeps messaging you during work hours. Many people turn it off simply to avoid the pressure of replying instantly to every message.
How to turn off read receipts on Android
Open WhatsApp and tap the three vertical dots in the top right corner. From the dropdown menu, select Settings.
Tap Account, then tap Privacy. Scroll down until you find the Read receipts option, and toggle the switch off.
How to turn off read receipts on iPhone
Open WhatsApp and tap the Settings tab at the bottom right of the screen. Tap Account, then tap Privacy.
Find the Read receipts toggle and switch it off. The change applies immediately, so you do not need to restart the app.
What happens after you disable read receipts?
Once read receipts are off, the blue ticks disappear for messages you read and for messages you send. You will still see the grey delivery ticks, so you know your message reached the other phone.
Keep in mind that read receipts cannot be turned off in group chats. If you read a message in a group, other participants can still see that you have seen it.
Avoid third-party WhatsApp mods
Some people try apps like GBWhatsApp or WhatsApp Plus to hide blue ticks with extra features. These unofficial mods are banned by WhatsApp and can get your number temporarily blocked.
If you want to customize your WhatsApp experience safely, check out our guide on GBWhatsApp and what it really does. You can also read how to message someone without adding them to your contacts, or enable dark mode on WhatsApp Web and Desktop for a better look.
Frequently asked questions
Can I hide the blue tick for one person only? No. WhatsApp only offers a global read receipts toggle, so the setting applies to all chats except groups.
Will the sender know I turned off read receipts? They cannot see the setting directly, but they will notice that their messages stop showing blue ticks.
Do read receipts affect delivery ticks? No. Grey ticks for sent and delivered messages always remain visible.
Does this hide my last seen status? No. Last seen and online status have their own separate privacy controls in the same Privacy settings menu.
