WhatsApp Privacy Settings: A Step-by-Step Guide

WhatsApp Privacy Controls

1. Enable Advanced Chat Privacy (NEW 2026 Feature!)

What It Does:

Prevents WhatsApp from using your messages for AI training, blocks automatic media downloads, and stops chat exports.

How to Enable:

iPhone:

1. Open any chat
2. Tap contact/group name at top
3. Scroll down to “Advanced Chat Privacy”
4. Toggle ON

Android:

1. Open any chat
2. Tap 3 dots → View contact/Group info
3. Find “Advanced Chat Privacy”
4. Toggle ON

Why This Matters: Meta announced in 2026 they may use WhatsApp chats for AI training unless you disable this. This is the #1 most important new setting.

Source: Croma Unboxed, May 2026

2. Set a Secret Code for Chat Lock (2026 Feature)

Beyond Fingerprint:

Now you can add a custom password to locked chats, separate from your phone’s biometric lock.

How to Set:

1. Go to Settings → Privacy → Chat Lock
2. Tap “Secret Code”
3. Create a unique password (not your device PIN)
4. Toggle “Hide locked chats”

Why Use This: Extra security layer beyond biometrics, Hide “Locked Chats” folder from main screen, Only appears when you type secret code in search.

Best for: Shared devices or high-security needs

Source: The Hindu, 2026

3. Hide Your IP Address During Calls (NEW)

Prevent Location Tracking:

WhatsApp calls can reveal your IP address (and rough location) to the person you’re calling. Now you can hide it.

How to Enable:

1. Settings → Privacy → Advanced
2. Find “Protect IP address in calls”
3. Select “Always” (relays through WhatsApp servers)

Trade-off: Better privacy, Slightly lower call quality (due to relay).

When to Use: Calls with unknown numbers or business contacts

Source: CheetahLinks, June 2026

Visibility Controls

1. Last Seen/Online: Privacy → Last Seen → My Contacts (hides from everyone except contacts)
2. Profile Photo: Privacy → Profile Photo → My Contacts (limits visibility)
3. Status Updates: Privacy → Status → My Contacts Except… (exclude specific people)
4. Read Receipts: Privacy → Read Receipts → Off (no blue ticks, but you won’t see others’)
5. Groups: Privacy → Groups → My Contacts (prevents adds from non-contacts)

Enable WhatsApp Security Features

1. Two-Step Verification: Settings → Account → Two-Step → Enable → Set 6-digit PIN + Email
2. App Lock: Settings → Privacy → App Lock → Enable Fingerprint/Face ID → Set timer
3. Disappearing Messages: Chat → Contact Name → Disappearing Messages → 24h/7d/90d
4. Block Contacts: Chat → Contact Name → Block → Confirm
5. Live Location: Privacy → Live Location → Stop sharing when not needed

WhatsApp Privacy FAQs