Being able to turn off read receipts is a useful way to maintain privacy and control how much information you share when using messaging apps. Read receipts allow the sender to see when you’ve opened their message, which some people prefer to keep private. Fortunately, on many messaging platforms like iMessage, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and more, you can disable read receipts without having to open every message.
What are read receipts?
Read receipts, also known as read notifications or blue ticks, are a feature in messaging apps and SMS text messaging that shows the sender when the recipient has opened and read a particular message. It gives the sender confirmation that their message has been seen.
On most messaging platforms, read receipts are turned on by default. So when you open and view a message, an indicator will show for the sender – usually a blue colored “read” or “seen” text or check mark icon. Read receipts only track when a message is opened and do not indicate if the person has understood or comprehended the message content.
Some people like having read receipts on so they can see if their message has caught the recipient’s attention. However, others find it intrusive or a violation of privacy. It also can create social pressure to respond immediately, even if you opened a message without having time to reply.
Why turn off read receipts?
There are several reasons why people choose to disable read receipts for some or all of their messaging conversations:
- Privacy – To prevent others from being able to monitor when you’ve viewed a message
- Avoid social pressure – Turning off read receipts allows you to open messages to preview them without the social obligation to respond right away
- Manage communications – Read receipts can be distracting. Turning them off can help you focus without constant notifications.
- Control over information sharing – Some people prefer to limit the amount of information shared through digital communication channels
- Reduce interruptions – Read receipts can encourage others to expect immediate responses. Disabling them eliminates constant interruptions.
The choice of whether to have read receipts on or off comes down to personal preference and communication style. For many people, being able to exchange messages without read receipts feels more natural and provides greater flexibility.
How to turn off read receipts on iPhone
For iMessage on iPhones, you can disable read receipts for individual conversations or for all messages:
Turn off for one conversation
- Open the conversation in the Messages app
- Tap the contact’s name at the top of the screen
- Toggle off the “Send Read Receipts” option
This prevents read receipts from being sent only for that particular contact and keeps the setting enabled for other conversations.
Disable for all messages
- Go to Settings > Messages
- Tap “Send Read Receipts”
- Toggle the setting off
This turns off read receipts globally for iMessages. You can still selectively enable them for individual conversations if preferred.
How to turn off read receipts on Android
The process to disable read receipts on Android depends on which messaging app you use:
SMS Text Messaging
SMS text messaging does not have read receipts enabled by default on Android. You may need to disable them in your SMS app settings if they have been turned on.
- Open WhatsApp and tap the More Options menu (3 dot icon)
- Go to Settings > Account > Privacy
- Toggle off “Read Receipts”
This will disable read receipts for all WhatsApp conversations. You can also disable them for individual chats from the chat settings.
Facebook Messenger
- Open the Messenger app and tap your profile icon
- Go to Privacy settings
- Toggle off “Active Status”
Disabling active status prevents read receipts from being sent in Messenger. You can also turn them off for specific conversations.
Other apps
Most messaging apps for Android allow you to disable read receipts in the app’s settings or in individual chat windows. Look for a “Read Receipts” or “Sent” indicator option to toggle off.
How to turn off read receipts on WhatsApp
On WhatsApp, you can prevent read receipts from being sent in both individual chats and for all conversations:
One chat
- Open the chat
- Tap the contact’s name at the top
- Toggle off “Read Receipts”
All chats
- Open WhatsApp Settings
- Go to Account > Privacy
- Disable “Read Receipts”
By switching off read receipts in WhatsApp, you can read messages without the sender being notified. Keep in mind you also won’t be able to see read receipts from others.
How to turn off read receipts on Telegram
Telegram also allows adjusting read receipt preferences at both the individual and global level:
One chat
- Open the Telegram chat
- Tap the contact’s name at the top
- Toggle off “Read Receipts”
All chats
- Open Telegram Settings
- Go to Privacy and Security > Passcode and Touch ID
- Disable “Read Receipts”
Now read receipts will be disabled in Telegram app-wide. You can still toggle them on for specific conversations if needed.
How to turn off read receipts on Messenger
On Facebook Messenger, read receipts are tied to your active status. Follow these steps:
Individual chats
- Open the conversation
- Tap the contact’s name
- Toggle off “Active Status”
All conversations
- Open Messenger and tap your profile
- Go to Active Status
- Turn off “Active Status”
This prevents read receipts from being sent site-wide on Facebook Messenger. You can still re-enable active status for particular conversations.
How to turn off read receipts on Snapchat
Snapchat has read receipts enabled by default. To disable:
- Open Settings in Snapchat
- Go to Additional Services > Manage
- Toggle off “Read Receipts”
This turns off read receipts for all Snapchat conversations. There is no way to disable them for individual chats.
How to turn off read receipts on Instagram
Instagram Direct messaging does not have read receipts. You’ll receive a notification when your message is seen by the recipient, but this does not show within the chat.
How to turn off read receipts on Teams
In Microsoft Teams, read receipts are sent automatically for chat messages. To prevent this:
- Click your profile icon > Settings > Privacy
- Toggle off “Read receipts”
This will disable read receipts for all your Direct Messages and Group Chats in Teams across desktop and mobile apps. Read receipts for Channels cannot be disabled.
How to turn off read receipts on Skype
To prevent Skype from sending read receipts:
- Open Skype and click your profile picture > Settings
- Go to Privacy > Read receipts
- Uncheck “Send read receipts”
This will disable read receipts in all your Skype conversations across platforms.
How to turn off read receipts on Signal
Signal has read receipts enabled by default. To turn them off:
- Open Signal Settings
- Go to Privacy > Read Receipts
- Toggle “Allow Read Receipts” off
This disables read receipts globally for all Signal chats. There is no option to turn them off for individual conversations.
How to turn off read receipts on Viber
In Viber, you can prevent read receipts from being sent:
- Open Viber Settings
- Go to Privacy > Read Receipts
- Toggle off “Send Read Receipts”
This will stop read receipts from being sent in all your Viber chats. Read receipts are enabled by default.
How to turn off read receipts on Hangouts
For Google Hangouts conversations:
- Open Hangouts and click your profile picture
- Go to Settings > General
- Uncheck “Read Receipts”
This disables read receipts in all Hangouts chats. There is no per-conversation setting.
How to turn off read receipts on LINE
The LINE messaging app has read receipts enabled by default. To disable:
- Open LINE and go to Settings
- Go to Notifications > Read
- Toggle off “Send Read Receipt”
This will prevent read receipts from being sent in all LINE conversations globally.
How to turn off read receipts on Slack
Slack does not have built-in support for enabling read receipts. However, some third-party apps may add the capability. To disable:
- Click your workspace name > Administration
- Go to Settings > Apps
- Search for any read receipt apps and remove them
This will ensure read receipts do not get sent for any conversations through Slack.
The bottom line
Being able to control read receipts gives you greater privacy over your digital communications. While the exact steps depend on the platform, most messaging apps allow disabling read receipts either globally or on a conversation-by-conversation basis.
In general, look for a “Read Receipts” or “Sent Receipts” option in the app or conversation settings to toggle off. With read receipts disabled, you can open and read messages at your own convenience without notifying the sender.
Platform | Disable for All Chats | Disable for Specific Chat |
---|---|---|
iMessage | Settings > Messages > Send Read Receipts | Conversation > Contact Name > Send Read Receipts |
Settings > Account > Privacy > Read Receipts | Chat > Contact Name > Read Receipts | |
Messenger | Your Profile > Active Status | Conversation > Contact Name > Active Status |
Telegram | Settings > Privacy and Security > Read Receipts | Chat > Contact Name > Read Receipts |
Keep in mind that disabling read receipts means you also won’t be able to see when others have read your messages. But you can always re-enable the feature when needed for particular conversations.
The choice comes down to your own preferences and messaging style. For many situations, disabling read receipts provides a less distracting and more focused communication experience while maintaining privacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does turning off read receipts remove the blue ticks?
Yes, disabling read receipts/read notifications removes the blue ticks, checks, “read” text, and other visual indicators that show when a message has been read.
Can you tell if read receipts are turned off on WhatsApp?
If read receipts are disabled in WhatsApp, you will not see the blue double check marks turn blue for messages you send. Instead, the checks will stay gray, indicating the message was delivered but not read.
Will turning off read receipt stop blue ticks on WhatsApp?
Yes, disabling read receipts in WhatsApp settings or chat settings will prevent the blue ticks from appearing when recipients read your messages.
Does read receipt work if you turn off last seen on WhatsApp?
Yes, you can still get read receipts on WhatsApp even if you turn off last seen status. Disabling last seen only affects when users can see when you were last active – it does not impact whether read receipts are sent.
Can you read a text without the blue ticks?
If you disable read receipts, also known as blue ticks, in your messaging app settings, you can read texts without the sender being notified. The message will display as delivered but not read.
Should I turn off read receipts?
Whether to disable read receipts depends on your personal preferences. Turning them off provides more privacy and reduces pressure to respond instantly. But you also won’t see read status from others. Choose based on your messaging style.
What happens when you turn off read receipts?
Turning off read receipts prevents the sender from seeing when you’ve read their message. It stops the delivered check from turning blue/read in apps like WhatsApp. You maintain more privacy but also won’t see other’s read status.
Can you fake read receipts?
Most messaging platforms do not allow faking or spoofing read receipts. The read receipt is generated automatically when the app detects the message contents have been displayed. The only way to fake it is to use a modded or hacked version of the app.
Should you call out someone not reading messages?
It’s best not to call out or confront someone if you notice they’ve read but not replied to messages. There are many valid reasons they may not have responded yet, such as being busy. Give them the benefit of the doubt and time to respond when they can.
Conclusion
Read receipts enable senders to monitor when a message is viewed. While useful for some, many prefer to disable read receipts in messaging apps to increase privacy, reduce disruptions, and communicate more flexibly. Most messaging platforms provide the option to toggle off read receipts either for specific conversations or all chats. Disabling them prevents senders from seeing read notifications when you open messages, allowing you to maintain control over your digital communication.