WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. Its end-to-end encryption provides a high level of privacy and security for chats and calls. However, there may be times when you want an extra layer of privacy within WhatsApp.
Why Would You Want to Blur Your Privacy on WhatsApp?
Here are some common reasons why people want more privacy on WhatsApp:
- Avoid snooping friends or family seeing your chats
- Prevent people around you reading potentially private messages over your shoulder
- Extra protection if your phone gets stolen or accessed without your permission
- Keep certain groups or contacts more private from others who use your phone
- Obscure any photos, videos or files you send via WhatsApp
While WhatsApp’s encryption prevents third parties from accessing your chats, it doesn’t stop others who have physical access to your phone from viewing your conversations. Blurring and extra privacy settings give you more control.
How to Use WhatsApp’s Built-In Privacy Settings
WhatsApp already has some great privacy features you can enable:
1. Authentication Screen
Require fingerprint or face unlock to open WhatsApp. This prevents snooping eyes from accessing your chats if they get hold of your unlocked phone.
On Android go to WhatsApp Settings > Account > Privacy > Screen Lock and require biometric authentication. On iPhone, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and turn on WhatsApp.
2. Disable Preview Messages
Stop message previews from appearing in your notifications. This hides potentially private messages from view until you unlock WhatsApp.
Go to WhatsApp Settings > Notifications > Show Preview and disable the options.
3. Hide Read Receipts
Don’t let contacts know when you’ve read their messages. Great for reducing expectations to reply instantly.
Go to WhatsApp Settings > Account > Privacy and disable Read Receipts.
How to Blur Images and Media in WhatsApp
You can go beyond WhatsApp’s privacy settings by blurring the actual photos, videos and documents you send. This obscures the content from casual viewers.
Use a Third-Party Blur App
Download an app dedicated to blurring images from your device’s app store. Some popular options include:
- Blur Image (Android)
- Blur Pix (iOS)
- Photo Blur (Android)
Open the app and select the image/video you want to blur from your camera roll. Apply a blur effect and adjust the intensity. Save the blurred photo and attach it in WhatsApp as normal.
Blur Before Sending
Alternatively, open the photo in its default Photos app first. Many phones now have built-in editing tools that allow you to blur parts of the image manually or auto-detect faces to blur.
For example, in the iOS Photos app click Edit > Adjustments > Blur. Drag your finger over the areas you want to obscure. Android Photos app has similar native blur capabilities.
This gives you precision control over exactly which elements to hide. Blur what’s private and leave public details intact.
Third-Party Apps for Blurring Chats
Some apps go beyond media blurring and actually overlay your WhatsApp chats with blur effects and locks. Popular options include:
CalcULock
CalcULock overlays your WhatsApp chats with an advanced calculator interface. Only you know the secret combination of buttons to press to reveal the chat messages underneath.
CoverMe
CoverMe blurs not just WhatsApp but your whole phone screen from prying eyes around you. Set a security pattern or pin that temporarily disables the blur when you want to view details.
Chat Lock
ChatLock adds military-grade AES encryption plus a PIN lock directly on top of WhatsApp. Blur, lock and password protect specific chats.
The bonus is these apps work even without an internet connection. WhatsApp’s own encryption requires the internet to safely transmit messages.
How to Use WhatsApp’s Disappearing Messages
WhatsApp also has an option to make new messages disappear after a set time period. This is great for temporary conversations you don’t need a permanent record of.
To enable disappearing messages:
- Open the WhatsApp chat
- Tap the contact’s name
- Tap Disappearing Messages
- Select the timeout duration e.g. 24 hours, 7 days
New messages moving forward will disappear based on this duration. Note that recipients may stillscreenshot or copy the messages before they vanish on WhatsApp.
Beware WhatsApp Mods That Claim Privacy
Some shady modified/”mod” versions of WhatsApp may claim to offer more privacy. Examples include WhatsApp Plus, GB WhatsApp and more.
However, these are unofficial third-party clients that break WhatsApp’s security and could put your data at risk. They should be avoided in favor of solutions endorsed by WhatsApp.
Consider an Ephemeral Chat App
If you want messages to disappear automatically without any timer setting, consider switching to an ephemeral messaging app such as:
- Signal
- Dust
- Telegram (with Secret Chats enabled)
- Wickr
- Confide
These apps auto-delete messages once all recipients have read them. This removes the message trail, leaving minimal evidence. Note Telegram and Signal also offer permanent non-disappearing chats too.
Conclusion
WhatsApp already provides a good level of privacy by default. But if you require an extra layer of secrecy within the app, there are steps you can take:
- Enable biometric lock security
- Disable previews and read receipts
- Blur photos and videos before sending
- Overlay WhatsApp with a content-hiding app
- Use disappearing messages for temporary chats
- Or switch to auto-deleting messenger apps
With these options, you can share more privately in your WhatsApp groups and chats.