How to Disable WhatsApp’s ‘Blue Ticks’ Read Confirmation

Today WhatsApp updated their App across platforms to include a new feature. The much controversial “Read Confirmation” feature has arrived. This lets you know if the recipient of your message has read your sent message – with two blue ticks on the message.

This was a highly requested feature by many. While many are happy that such a feature exists, there is still a lot who wishes to get rid of WhatsApp’s blue ticks.

This blog post is for those who want to disable WhatsApp’s read confirmation blue ticks.

WhatsApp updated their FAQ with detailed explanation of these ticks and what they mean.

In simple words,

1. One Gray Tick – Your message reached the WhatsApp server.
2. Two Gray Ticks – Your message was delivered to the receiver’s phone (not necessarily opened by them).
3. Two Blue Ticks – Your message was read by the receiver.

Long press on a message and you will get an option to open Message Info screen. This screen will display details like when the message was delivered and when it was read.

Now on to how we can disable this.

How to Disable WhatsApp’s ‘Blue Ticks’ Read Confirmation.

There are two methods to prevent the read confirmation from being sent to the sender. i.e don’t let the sender know that you read their message.

Method 1.

This involves downgrading the WhatsApp messenger app to a previous version, precisely to Version 2.11.426. Because the read confirmation feature was introduced in the next version – 2.11.432.

Don’t worry, your messages and images will stay intact when you downgrade the app. But step 1 would have to be Backup! 🙂

Step 1. Backup your WhatsApp messages (Settings > Chat Settings > Backup conversations). Rooted users can use Titanium Backup to make complete backup.

Step 2. Download this APK file : WhatsApp 2.11.426.

Step 3. Copy the APK to your Android phone.

Step 4. If you haven’t already, go to Android Settings > Security and check the circle next to “Unknown sources”. This will enable you to install apps outside of Play Store.

Step 5. Open the APK that you just copied to your phone and complete the Installation.

One last step would be to disable Auto Update of WhatsApp. There isn’t a way to disable this for one App alone so you need to go to Play Store settings and select “Do not auto-update apps”.

Now just use start using WhatsApp and you would see you cannot see the blue ticks on new messages. People sending you messages won’t be notified with read confirmation from now on.

Note: Old messages which you received with the updated app will still have the blue ticks.

Method 2.

This can’t be considered a real solution, am just sharing it so you know it works.

Step 1. When you receive a new WhatsApp, don’t open it.

Step 2. Go to your Wireless settings and turn off WiFi or Mobile Data.

Step 3. Open WhatsApp and read that message.

Step 4. Close WhatsApp and clear it from the recent apps.

Step 5. Turn ON your wireless.

This isn’t a reliable method but try it and share your results. I prefer you use Method 1.

Let me know how these methods work out for you through the comments below. Share this blog post with your friends by clicking the Like, Tweet and +1 buttons below.