WhatsApp allows you to use your account on multiple devices at the same time. This can be convenient, but it also means that other people may have access to your chats if you’ve logged into WhatsApp on their phone or tablet.
If you want to unlink your WhatsApp account from all devices except your own, it’s easy to do so right from your Android phone. Here’s how.
Open WhatsApp Settings
First, open the WhatsApp app on your Android phone. Tap the three dot menu icon in the top right corner, then choose Settings.
Select Linked Devices
In Settings, tap Linked Devices. This will show you a list of all the devices that are currently linked to your WhatsApp account.
Tap Unlink All Devices
Scroll down and tap Unlink All Devices. WhatsApp will ask you to confirm that you want to unlink your account from all other devices.
Confirm Unlinking
Tap Unlink to confirm. WhatsApp will then unlink your account from any phones, tablets or computers it was linked to. The app will remain installed on those devices but they won’t be able to access your chats.
Log Out Everywhere Else
To fully unlink from all devices, you’ll also need to make sure to log out of WhatsApp on any other phones or tablets where you’re still signed in:
- On iOS: Go to Settings > WhatsApp > Log Out
- On Android: Open WhatsApp > Tap More Options > Settings > Account > Log Out
- On Windows: Open WhatsApp > Click Menu > Settings > Log Out
- On Mac: Open WhatsApp > Click WhatsApp > Preferences > Log Out
- On Web: Go to web.whatsapp.com > Click Menu > Log Out
This will remove your account from any linked devices so your chats are completely private to your Android phone.
Turn Off WhatsApp Web
Even if you log out everywhere, other devices may still be able to reconnect to your WhatsApp if WhatsApp Web/Desktop is enabled. To prevent this:
- On your Android phone, open WhatsApp Settings.
- Go to WhatsApp Web/Desktop.
- Toggle the switch off to disable linking to the web.
With WhatsApp Web disabled, other devices will no longer be able to link to your account even if you’re logged in on them.
Enable Two-Step Verification
For extra security, you can also enable two-step verification for your WhatsApp account. This requires you to enter a six-digit PIN sent to your phone whenever you want to link your account to a new device.
To enable it:
- In WhatsApp Settings, go to Account > Two-step verification > Enable.
- Enter a six-digit PIN and confirm it.
- Provide an email address for password reset.
With two-step verification on, even if someone has your phone number, they can’t link your WhatsApp account to another device without access to your phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I unlink devices from my WhatsApp account?
Unlinking devices allows you to ensure your WhatsApp chats and data remain completely private. It prevents others from accessing your messages if they have linked to your account in the past. This is especially important if others have had temporary access to your phone number or you’ve logged in on a shared or public device before.
Can I selectively unlink devices instead of all?
Unfortunately WhatsApp does not allow you to selectively unlink specific devices. The only options are to unlink all devices or leave them linked. If you want to remove access on just one device, you’ll have to unlink them all and then re-link the ones you want.
Will unlinking log me out of WhatsApp on my phone?
No, unlinking devices will only log you out and remove your account data from other linked devices. Your app on your Android phone will remain logged in and unaffected.
How can I see all linked devices?
You can view all currently linked devices by going to WhatsApp Settings > Linked Devices. This will show each device’s name and the last time it was connected to your account.
Can I still use WhatsApp Web after unlinking devices?
You can, but you’ll have to link it to your account again. Open web.whatsapp.com on your computer and scan the QR code with your phone’s camera when prompted. This will relink the computer so you can continue using WhatsApp Web.
How do I log out of WhatsApp on my iPhone or Android tablet?
To fully log out of your linked WhatsApp account on iOS or Android:
- On an iPhone, go to Settings > WhatsApp > Log Out.
- On an Android tablet, open WhatsApp > Tap More Options > Settings > Account > Log Out.
Is it safe to use WhatsApp on a shared computer?
It’s generally not recommended to use WhatsApp Web on a public or shared computer, as it could allow others access to your chats. If you need to use it, make sure to log out afterwards by going to web.whatsapp.com, clicking Menu and selecting Log Out.
How can I prevent others from linking to my WhatsApp again?
Enabling two-step verification adds extra security to prevent unknown devices from linking. You can also keep WhatsApp Web disabled when not in use. Avoid logging in on shared devices. Also set a password or fingerprint lock on your phone.
Summary
Here are the key steps to fully unlink your WhatsApp account from all devices on Android:
- Open WhatsApp Settings > Linked Devices > Unlink All Devices.
- Log out of WhatsApp on any other phones, tablets or computers.
- Disable WhatsApp Web/Desktop.
- Enable two-step verification for extra security.
Unlinking devices ensures your messages and data stay private to you. It prevents others from accessing your chats if they’ve ever linked to your account in the past.
You can still use WhatsApp Web by relinking your computer. But it’s best to keep Web disabled when not in use. Enable two-step verification and set a phone lock for optimal security.
Now only you have access to your WhatsApp account, and your sensitive conversations remain private on your Android smartphone.
Conclusion
Unlinking WhatsApp devices is an important step to ensure your private chats and information are not accessible to others. By unlinking all devices, enabling two-step verification, disabling WhatsApp Web when not in use, and setting app passwords and phone locks, you can securely restrict WhatsApp access only to your Android phone.
Following these steps gives you peace of mind that any sensitive conversations and data on WhatsApp remain private to you. It also prevents past devices, public computers, or anyone else from accessing your messages if they’ve ever had temporary access to your WhatsApp account before.
Overall, unlinking WhatsApp is quick and easy to do right from your Android device’s settings. And it adds important protection to keep your digital life secure and under your control.