WhatsApp groups chat are an awesome way to stay connected with friends, family, and colleagues. It’s actually a great experience to discuss daily life actives with your loved ones in a WhatsApp group chat. However, sometimes people you don’t know or want to engage with can add you to any groups without your consent, which can be intrusive and annoying. WhatsApp came about in 2009 as a basic SMS messenger, but gradually evolved to be so much more. WhatsApp provides several features that allow you to control who can add you to groups, ensuring your privacy and peace of mind.
Nothing is more unpleasant than getting added in a group chat that you did not request to be a member of. More unpleasant than that is a group chat in which you don’t know any of the other users. Unfortunately, WhatsApp is renowned for doing this to users all the time, forcing them to go through the procedures of exiting the chat.
Understanding WhatsApp Group Privacy Settings
WhatsApp offers three privacy settings related to group invitations:
- Everyone: Anyone can add you to groups without your consent.
- My Contacts: Only your contacts can add you to groups without your consent.
- Nobody: No one can add you to groups without your consent. They can only invite you to join a group through a private invitation, which you can decide to accept or decline.
Steps to Prevent Random People from Adding You to WhatsApp Groups
Here’s a step-by-step guide to adjust your WhatsApp settings to prevent random people from adding you to groups:
Step 1: Open WhatsApp and Go to Settings
- Launch WhatsApp on your phone.
- Tap on the Settings menu. On iPhone, this is located at the bottom right corner under ‘Settings’ > ‘Account’. On Android, tap the three vertical dots in the top right corner, then select ‘Settings’.
Step 2: Navigate to Account Settings
- In the Settings menu, tap on Account.
Step 3: Access Privacy Settings
- Tap on Privacy.
Step 4: Modify Group Privacy Settings
- Look for the option labeled Groups and tap on it.
Step 5: Choose Your Preferred Option
- You will see three options: Everyone, My Contacts, and Nobody.
- Select Nobody if you want to prevent anyone from adding you to groups without your permission.
Step 6: Confirm Your Selection
- After selecting Nobody, WhatsApp will ensure that you approve every group invitation before being added to a group.
- You can also change this setting later if you prefer.
Additional Tips:
- Managing Group Invitations: If someone tries to add you to a group when your setting is set to Nobody, you will receive a private invitation message. You then have three days to accept the invitation before it expires.
- Reviewing Group Invitations: To review group invitations, go to your WhatsApp chat list and look for a notification that says “Invitation to join [Group Name].” Tap on the notification to see more details and decide whether to join the group.
- Blocking Unknown Contacts: If you receive persistent invitations from unknown contacts despite setting your preferences, consider blocking those contacts to prevent further attempts.
Source: TeckGoat.com