Read receipts can be useful when you want confirmation that someone has opened a message. They can also create pressure to reply immediately or reveal when you are active. If you want to know how to turn off read receipts on Android, the correct steps depend on the messaging app you use.
For Google Messages, open the app, tap your profile picture, select Messages settings > RCS chats, and turn off Send read receipts. On some versions, the menu is called Chat features instead of RCS chats.
Android does not have one system-wide switch that controls read receipts in every app. Turning them off in Google Messages will not disable the blue ticks in WhatsApp, and changing a WhatsApp privacy setting will not affect RCS text messages. Each app must be configured separately.
Quick Steps for Popular Android Messaging Apps
| Messaging app | Where to turn off read receipts | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Google Messages | Profile picture > Messages settings > RCS chats > Send read receipts | Applies to RCS chats, not ordinary SMS |
| Samsung Messages | Three dots > Settings > More settings or Chat settings | Menu and availability depend on the phone and carrier |
| Three dots > Settings > Privacy > Read receipts | Group-chat read receipts remain active | |
| Signal | Profile picture > Privacy > Read Receipts | Both participants must have the feature enabled to see read status |
| Telegram | No global read-receipt switch for normal private chats | Opening a conversation normally marks it as read |
The first method below is the one most people need because Google Messages is the default texting app on many recent Android phones.
How to Turn Off Read Receipts in Google Messages
Google Messages uses Rich Communication Services, commonly called RCS, to provide modern chat features. These include typing indicators, high-quality media, delivery status and read receipts.
Follow these steps to disable read receipts:
- Open Google Messages.
- Tap your profile picture or account icon in the upper-right corner.
- Select Messages settings.
- Tap RCS chats.
- Turn off Send read receipts.
If you cannot find RCS chats, look for Chat features. Google uses that name on some app versions and carrier configurations.
Google’s current RCS chat instructions place the control under Messages settings > RCS chats > Send read receipts. The same section also contains the typing-indicator setting.
Once the switch is off, other people should no longer receive a Read status when you open their RCS messages. The message can still show as Delivered because delivery confirmation and read confirmation are different.
Turn off typing indicators as well
Disabling read receipts does not hide the animated typing indicator. Someone may still see that you are composing a reply.
To turn it off:
- Open Google Messages.
- Tap your profile picture.
- Select Messages settings > RCS chats.
- Turn off Show typing indicators.
This setting is separate from read receipts. You can disable one and leave the other enabled.
Can you turn off Google Messages read receipts for one person?
Google Messages currently provides an app-wide Send read receipts switch. It does not provide a standard per-contact read-receipt setting inside individual RCS conversations.
Turning the switch off therefore affects all supported RCS chats in Google Messages. You cannot hide the Read status from one contact while continuing to send it to everyone else through the normal setting.
Blocking a contact or turning off RCS completely is not a sensible substitute. Those actions change much more than read-receipt privacy.
Read Receipts, Delivery Reports and RCS Are Different
People often disable read receipts and still see status information below a message. This does not always mean the setting failed.
Sent
Sent means the message left your phone and was accepted for transmission. It does not confirm that the recipient’s phone received or opened it.
Delivered
Delivered means the message reached the recipient’s device or messaging service. It does not prove that the person read it.
Read
Read means the recipient opened the conversation while read receipts were available and enabled. This is the status controlled by the read-receipt setting.
SMS delivery reports
Traditional SMS does not normally provide a true read receipt. Some phones and carriers offer delivery reports that confirm a text reached the recipient’s network or device. A delivery report cannot confirm that the person looked at the message.
RCS read receipts
RCS works through an internet connection and supports the familiar Sent, Delivered and Read stages. It can work over Wi-Fi or mobile data when the carrier and messaging app support it.
RCS is also different from native Wi-Fi calling on Android. RCS is a messaging standard, while Wi-Fi calling is a carrier feature for routing calls and sometimes SMS through Wi-Fi.
The easiest way to identify an RCS conversation in Google Messages is to look at the text box. It may say RCS message instead of Text message. The precise wording can change according to the recipient, connection and app version.
How to Turn Off Read Receipts on Samsung Galaxy Phones
The first step on a Samsung Galaxy phone is to confirm which messaging app is being used. Many recent Galaxy devices use Google Messages even though the icon may have a Samsung-themed appearance.
Open the messaging app and inspect its settings:
- If tapping the profile picture opens Messages settings, you are probably using Google Messages.
- If the app has a three-dot menu with More settings, you may be using Samsung Messages.
Use the Google Messages instructions above if Google Messages is the default.
Turn off read reports in Samsung Messages
On supported Samsung Messages versions, try this path:
- Open Samsung Messages.
- Tap the three vertical dots.
- Select Settings.
- Tap More settings.
- Open Multimedia messages.
- Turn off Show when read or the similarly named read-report option.
If the phone supports RCS through Samsung Messages, also check:
- Open Samsung Messages > Settings.
- Select Chat settings.
- Find Send read receipts or Share read status.
- Turn the option off.
The wording can vary with the Galaxy model, One UI version and mobile carrier. Some networks removed RCS support from Samsung Messages and direct customers to Google Messages instead.
Samsung’s current Samsung Messages support information says the app is being discontinued on Galaxy devices running Android 12 or newer from July 6, 2026. Newer phones may therefore show only Google Messages, while Samsung Messages instructions remain relevant to older devices and certain regional models.
Do not confuse delivery reports with read receipts
Samsung Messages can display controls such as Show when delivered, Delivery reports, Show when read and Read reports. They do not all mean the same thing.
- Turn off Show when read or Read reports to address reading status.
- Turn off Delivery reports only if you also want to stop receiving delivery confirmations.
Disabling delivery reports does not necessarily prevent another person from seeing when you read an RCS message. Check Chat settings when RCS is active.
How to Turn Off Read Receipts on WhatsApp for Android
WhatsApp controls its own read receipts. The Google Messages setting has no effect on WhatsApp’s blue check marks.
To disable them:
- Open WhatsApp.
- Tap the three vertical dots in the upper-right corner.
- Select Settings.
- Tap Privacy.
- Turn off Read receipts.
After the setting is disabled, contacts should no longer see blue check marks when you read messages in one-to-one chats. You will also stop seeing blue check marks when they read your messages.
There are important exceptions:
- Read receipts are still sent in WhatsApp group chats.
- Turning them off affects status-view information. You cannot see who viewed your status, and contacts cannot see that you viewed theirs through the normal viewer list.
- A message that was already marked as read before the setting changed cannot have its receipt withdrawn.
The setting is reciprocal. You give up the ability to see other people’s one-to-one read receipts in exchange for hiding your own.
If you are changing devices rather than changing privacy settings, preserve the conversations first with the WhatsApp transfer process for Android.
How to Turn Off Read Receipts in Signal
Signal provides a simple global control:
- Open Signal.
- Tap your profile picture.
- Select Privacy.
- Turn off Read Receipts.
Signal requires both people to have read receipts enabled before either person can see the Read status. If you switch the setting off, your contacts will not see when you read their messages, and you will not see when they read yours.
Typing indicators have a separate switch under Signal > Privacy > Typing Indicators. Turn that off too if you do not want contacts to see when you are composing a response.
Can You Turn Off Read Receipts in Telegram?
Telegram does not currently provide a universal setting that disables read receipts for ordinary private chats. Opening a conversation normally marks incoming messages as read.
Reading a short message from its Android notification preview may let you view some content without opening the chat. This is not a reliable replacement for a privacy setting because:
- Long messages can be cut off.
- Photos, voice messages and other media may require opening the conversation.
- Tapping the notification opens the chat and can mark it as read.
- Expanding or dismissing notifications behaves differently across Android versions.
Avoid third-party modified Telegram applications that promise hidden read receipts. They can expose messages, login details and account sessions to an untrusted developer.
Does Android Have a Universal Read-Receipt Setting?
No. Android provides notification controls, default-app controls and app permissions, but it does not offer one privacy switch that disables read receipts across every messaging service.
Read receipts are created and exchanged by the messaging service. This is why the setting is found inside Google Messages, WhatsApp or Signal rather than under the main Android Privacy menu.
Changing any of these Android options will not reliably disable read receipts:
- Turning off message notifications
- Enabling Do Not Disturb
- Hiding notification content from the lock screen
- Disabling notification dots
- Marking a conversation as unread
- Turning off background data after a message has loaded
These features affect alerts, visual organization or connectivity. They do not replace the app’s read-receipt control.
What Happens When You Turn Off Read Receipts?
The exact behavior depends on the app, but several effects are common.
People can still send messages to you
Disabling read receipts does not block contacts or stop messages from arriving. It only changes the status information shared after you open a conversation.
Delivered may still appear
A sender may continue to see that the message was delivered. Delivered and Read are separate events.
Old read receipts do not disappear
If an app already sent a read receipt, disabling the option cannot normally remove it from the other person’s conversation. The change applies to messages opened afterward.
The setting may work both ways
WhatsApp and Signal stop showing other people’s read receipts when yours are disabled. Google Messages labels its setting Send read receipts, so its purpose is specifically to control what your device sends.
The sender is not directly notified
Messaging apps do not normally send an alert saying that you disabled read receipts. Someone may infer it when messages remain Delivered instead of changing to Read.
Why Is the Read-Receipt Option Missing?
If Google Messages does not display Send read receipts, check the following possibilities.
RCS is not available or connected
Open Google Messages > profile picture > Messages settings > RCS chats. Look at the connection status. If it says Disconnected, Connecting or Not supported, the related feature controls may be unavailable.
RCS availability can depend on:
- Your mobile carrier
- Your country or region
- The active SIM card
- The phone number’s registration status
- The version of Google Messages
- Mobile data or Wi-Fi connectivity
You are using a different messaging app
Some Android phones include a manufacturer or carrier messaging application. Open Settings > Apps > Default apps > SMS app to see which app handles text messages.
The menu uses an older name
Look for Chat features instead of RCS chats. Older Google Messages releases and some carrier versions use different wording.
Google Messages needs an update
Open the Google Play Store, search for Google Messages and install any available update. Reopen the app afterward.
The phone is managed
A work profile, school policy or device-management system may limit messaging options. Contact the administrator rather than removing management controls without permission.
Read Receipts Will Not Turn Off in Google Messages
If the switch is off but another person still sees Read, work through these checks.
Confirm that you changed the correct app
Google Messages, Samsung Messages, WhatsApp and Signal have independent settings. Turning off the Google Messages switch cannot change a WhatsApp conversation.
Check whether the message was already opened
The app may have sent the receipt before you disabled the feature. Test with a new incoming RCS message after changing the setting.
Distinguish Read from Delivered
Ask which exact status the sender sees. A Delivered status can remain after read receipts are disabled and does not mean the app reported that you opened the message.
Restart Google Messages
- Open Settings > Apps > Messages.
- Tap Force stop.
- Open Google Messages again.
- Confirm that Send read receipts remains off.
Clear the app cache
- Open Settings > Apps > Messages.
- Select Storage & cache.
- Tap Clear cache.
- Reopen the app and check the RCS setting.
Do not select Clear storage merely to change a privacy switch. Clearing app data can reset preferences and may require RCS to register again.
Update and restart the phone
Install Google Messages and Android updates, then restart. This can fix a switch that is frozen, greyed out or not saving correctly.
Check the network only if RCS is malfunctioning
An unstable RCS registration can produce confusing status behavior. Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data, then check whether RCS shows Connected.
On a Galaxy phone, use Samsung network reset instructions only after simpler checks. A network reset removes saved Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections, so it should not be the first response to a read-receipt problem.
Should You Turn Off RCS Completely?
You do not need to disable RCS just to hide read receipts. Turning off Send read receipts is the more precise option.
Disabling RCS can remove several useful features at once:
- High-quality photo and video sharing
- Typing indicators
- Read status
- Modern group-chat features
- Messaging over Wi-Fi or mobile data
- Better reactions and conversation features
Keep RCS enabled if you use these capabilities. Disable only its read-receipt and typing-indicator switches for greater privacy.
Turning RCS off may also complicate group conversations or delay messaging while the phone switches back to SMS and MMS. If you are moving the number to another phone, follow Google’s normal RCS deactivation process rather than repeatedly toggling the service.
Privacy Tips Beyond Read Receipts
Read receipts reveal only one part of your activity. Consider these additional settings if privacy is the main goal.
Hide notification content on the lock screen
Open Settings > Notifications > Notifications on lock screen and choose an option that hides sensitive content. Menu names vary by phone.
Turn off typing indicators
Google Messages and Signal provide separate typing-indicator switches. Disable them if you do not want others to see when you are preparing a reply.
Review linked devices
Check Google Messages for Web, WhatsApp Linked devices and Signal Linked devices. Remove computers or tablets you no longer use.
Use app locking when available
WhatsApp and Signal can require a fingerprint or device authentication before opening. Some Android phones also provide a Secure Folder, Private Space or app-lock feature.
Avoid unofficial messaging apps
Modified apps that promise invisible reading, extra privacy or hidden activity can compromise conversations and accounts. Use the official application and its supported privacy settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn off read receipts for text messages on Android?
If Google Messages handles your texts, open Google Messages > profile picture > Messages settings > RCS chats and turn off Send read receipts. Ordinary SMS does not normally support true read receipts.
Can someone tell if I turned off read receipts?
The app does not normally notify them. They may notice that new messages show Delivered but never change to Read.
Can I turn off read receipts for only one person on Android?
Google Messages does not currently offer a standard per-contact switch. Its Send read receipts setting applies across supported RCS conversations. Other apps can have different rules.
Why do I still see read receipts after turning mine off?
You may be seeing a receipt sent by the other person, a group-chat receipt or a status generated before the setting changed. Also confirm that it says Read rather than Delivered.
Does turning off read receipts stop typing indicators?
No. Typing indicators are controlled separately. In Google Messages, turn off Show typing indicators under RCS chats.
Does turning off notifications disable read receipts?
No. Disabling notifications stops alerts but does not change what happens when you open the conversation inside the app.
Will marking a message as unread remove the read receipt?
No. Mark as unread is a personal reminder in your conversation list. It does not withdraw a receipt that was already sent to the other person.
Do read receipts work with regular SMS?
Standard SMS normally supports delivery confirmation, not a true confirmation that someone read the message. Read status in a texting app usually indicates an RCS or app-based conversation.
Do Android read receipts work when messaging an iPhone?
They can when the conversation uses RCS and both devices, carriers and apps support the feature. The Google Messages switch controls receipts sent from the Android phone in supported RCS chats. It does not control iMessage settings on the iPhone.
Why is Send read receipts greyed out?
RCS may be disconnected, still registering or unavailable for the active number. Update Google Messages, confirm the correct default SMS app and check the connection status under RCS chats.
Can I turn read receipts back on later?
Yes. Return to the same app setting and enable the switch. The change affects future message activity and does not recreate receipts for older messages.
For most Android users, the only setting required is Google Messages > Messages settings > RCS chats > Send read receipts. The important part is changing the option inside every other messaging app you use, since Android cannot apply one read-receipt preference to Google Messages, WhatsApp, Signal and other services at the same time.
