How to Set Up WhatsApp Privacy Settings for 2025?

Keep Your Personal Info Hidden From Strangers

Most of us don’t realize how much info WhatsApp shares by default. Strangers can see your last seen, profile photo, and even your status updates if you don’t adjust these settings. Let’s fix that.

Control Who Sees Your Last Seen and Online Status

Your last seen tells people when you were last active on WhatsApp, and online status shows if you’re currently using it. If you don’t want random people to know when you’re on the app, here’s what to do:

Open Privacy Settings: Go to WhatsApp > tap the three dots in the top right > Settings > Privacy. This is your one-stop shop for all privacy controls—make sure you visit this menu regularly to check if anything’s changed. I visit this at least once a month to confirm my settings are still how I want them.

Choose Who Sees It: Tap “Last Seen and Online”. You have three options: Everyone (default, but not great for privacy), My Contacts (safe for most people), or Nobody (if you want to be totally incognito). I usually go with My Contacts because it lets my friends know when I’m around, but keeps strangers in the dark.

Save Changes: Don’t forget to hit “Done” (on iOS) or the checkmark (on Android) to save your choice. I once spent 5 minutes adjusting these settings and forgot to save—so don’t make that mistake!

Restrict Access to Your Profile Photo and Status

Your profile photo is a personal thing—you don’t want just anyone to see it. Same with your status updates (those 24-hour photos or videos you share). Here’s how to limit who can view them:

Go to Profile Settings: In the same Privacy menu, tap “Profile Photo”. You’ll see the same three options as before: Everyone, My Contacts, or Nobody. I recommend My Contacts here—no need for a random person to see your face.

Adjust Status Visibility: Next, tap “Status”. This one has a few more options: My Contacts, My Contacts Except…, or Only Share With…. The “My Contacts Except” option is perfect if there’s someone you don’t want to see your status (like an ex or an annoying coworker). Just add their name to the list, and they’ll never know what you’re up to.

Verify Settings: Want to make sure your changes worked? Ask a friend who’s not in your contacts to search for your number on WhatsApp. They should see a generic profile photo (like the WhatsApp logo) and no last seen. If they can see your photo or status, go back and double-check your settings.

And if you use WhatsApp on your computer via WhatsApp web, remember that the same privacy settings apply across all devices—so you don’t have to adjust them twice. (By the way, if you need help setting up WhatsApp web, check out this guide: this guide)

Stop Unwanted Messages and Calls

Even if you hide your info, some people might still find a way to message you. Let’s talk about how to block those unwanted contacts and add an extra layer of security to your account.

Block People Who Bug You

Blocking someone is the easiest way to stop them from reaching you on WhatsApp. Whether it’s a spam number or someone you don’t want to talk to, here’s how to do it:

Find the Contact: Open the chat with the person you want to block, or go to Settings > Privacy > Blocked Contacts > Add New. If it’s a chat, tap their name at the top to open their info page.

Hit Block: Scroll down to the bottom of their info page and tap “Block”. You’ll get a pop-up asking if you’re sure—tap Block again to confirm. Once blocked, they can’t send you messages, calls, or see any of your updates. I blocked a spam number last month that kept sending me links to fake sales—since then, no more annoying messages.

Manage Blocked List: To see who you’ve blocked, go back to Blocked Contacts in the Privacy menu. You can unblock someone anytime if you change your mind, but keep in mind that unblocking won’t restore any old messages or calls from them.

Enable Two-Step Verification for Extra Security

Two-step verification is like a second lock on your WhatsApp account. Even if someone steals your phone number, they can’t log into your account without this code. Here’s how to set it up:

Go to Account Settings: Open WhatsApp > Settings > Account > Two-Step Verification. Tap “Enable” to get started.

Set a 6-Digit PIN: Choose a PIN that’s easy for you to remember but hard for others to guess. Don’t use your birthday, phone number, or 123456—those are too obvious. You can also add an email address as a backup in case you forget the PIN. This is super important—if you lose your PIN and don’t have a backup email, you might lose access to your account.

Confirm and Save: Enter the PIN again to confirm, then add your email (if you want). WhatsApp will ask you to enter the PIN every few months to keep your account secure. I set mine up last year, and it’s saved me from a potential hack—someone tried to log into my account from another device, but they couldn’t get past the PIN.

WhatsApp Web Common Questions

Now, let’s answer some common questions about WhatsApp web and privacy—since a lot of us use it for work or convenience.

Does WhatsApp web have the same privacy settings as the mobile app?

Yes, WhatsApp web uses the same privacy settings as your mobile app. That means if you set your last seen to My Contacts on your phone, strangers won’t see it on WhatsApp web either. The reason is that WhatsApp web is just a mirror of your mobile account—all your settings are synced from your phone. So you don’t have to adjust anything separately for the web version. I use WhatsApp web every day for work, and I love that I don’t have to worry about changing privacy settings twice. One thing to note: if you change a setting on your phone, it’ll automatically update on WhatsApp web within a few seconds. So if you decide to hide your profile photo from strangers, that change will show up on the web version right away. This sync is seamless and ensures that your privacy is consistent across all devices you use.

Can someone access my WhatsApp web account without me knowing?

It’s possible, but only if they have access to your phone and can scan the QR code to log in. WhatsApp web requires you to scan a QR code from your phone to connect—so if your phone is locked (which it should be!), no one can log into your web account without your permission. But if you leave your phone unlocked and someone scans the QR code, they can access your messages until you log out. To prevent this, always lock your phone with a passcode or biometric (like Face ID or fingerprint). I once left my phone on my desk at work and a coworker joked about scanning the QR code to read my messages—since then, I always lock my phone when I’m not using it. Another thing: you can check if someone’s logged into your WhatsApp web account by going to Settings > Linked Devices on your phone. This list shows all devices connected to your account—if you see one you don’t recognize, log out immediately.

How do I log out of WhatsApp web remotely if I forget to?

If you forget to log out of WhatsApp web (like when you use a public computer at a café), don’t panic—you can log out remotely from your phone. Here’s how: Go to Settings > Linked Devices on your mobile app. You’ll see a list of all devices connected to your account. Tap the device you want to log out of, then hit “Log Out”. This will immediately disconnect that device from your WhatsApp account, so no one can access your messages anymore. I’ve had to do this a few times when I forgot to log out of my work computer before leaving the office. It’s a quick and easy way to keep your account secure. Remember to check this list regularly—at least once a month—to make sure no unauthorized devices are connected. This small habit can save you from a lot of stress later on.

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