WhatsApp Privacy Settings: A Complete Walkthrough
Profile photo, About, last seen, read receipts, status and groups: what each WhatsApp privacy setting shows, who can see it, and the choices that make you harder to target.
Everything on your WhatsApp profile can be seen by someone. By default, some of it can be seen by anyone who has your number, including scammers who bought it in a list. A few minutes in the privacy settings changes that.
Go to Settings, then Privacy. Most options offer Everyone, My contacts, My contacts except… and Nobody.
Recommended choices
| Setting | What it shows | Suggested |
|---|---|---|
| Last seen and online | When you were last active | My contacts or Nobody |
| Profile photo | Your picture | My contacts. See why it matters. |
| About | Your short bio | My contacts; avoid job, location or family details |
| Status | Your status updates | My contacts, or a chosen list |
| Read receipts | Blue ticks when you read | Your choice; turning off has no security cost |
| Groups | Who can add you to groups | My contacts. See stopping group adds. |
| Calls | Calls from unknown numbers | Silence unknown callers. See how. |
Why this helps against scams
- Photos are copied to impersonate you to your family. See the new number scam.
- Your About and status can reveal your job, travel or children's school, all useful for a convincing story.
- Online status tells a scammer when you are active and likely to respond.
WhatsApp's Privacy checkup (under Settings, Privacy) walks you through these settings in one place.
Privacy settings reduce exposure but do not lock your account. Turn on two-step verification too. For more, see our complete guide to WhatsApp scams.
Frequently asked questions
What is the safest profile photo setting?
My contacts. It stops strangers and scammers copying your photo while friends and family still see it.
If I hide my last seen, can I see other people's?
No. If you do not share your last seen and online status, you cannot see other people's.
Does hiding my details stop scams?
It makes you a less attractive and less informed target, but it does not replace two-step verification or checking requests for money.
Sources
- How to change your privacy settings, WhatsApp Help Center
- About privacy checkup, WhatsApp Help Center
- How to change group privacy settings, WhatsApp Help Center
