WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. One of the fun features of WhatsApp is the ability to customize your profile with a background image. This background photo displays whenever someone views your profile or when you send a message in chats. However, many WhatsApp users have questions around who can actually see your background photo and when. Here is a detailed look at who can and cannot view your WhatsApp background image.
Everyone in your contacts
The default setting in WhatsApp is to let all of your contacts see your background photo. So if you have a user’s phone number saved in your contacts, they will be able to see your background image when viewing your chat or profile. There are no restrictions on which of your contacts can see your background photo with the default settings.
This means your WhatsApp background is visible to all current contacts in your phone address book. It could include close friends, family members, work colleagues, acquaintances and anyone else you have saved as a contact.
New contacts
In addition to all your current contacts, any new contacts added in the future will also be able to see your WhatsApp background photo by default. For example, if you add a new friend’s phone number to your contacts next week, they will immediately be able to view your background image when you chat or they view your profile.
So your background is automatically visible to new contacts as they are added, unless you change your settings to limit visibility.
Non-contacts who have your number
People who have your phone number saved in their contacts but you do not have their number saved will also be able to see your WhatsApp background photo. This is because WhatsApp automatically shares profile info like your name, photo and background with anyone who has your number saved in their phonebook.
For example, you may have given your number to someone at an event, but never saved their number in return. Since they have your number in their contacts, they will be able to see your background image when viewing your WhatsApp profile.
Group members
In any WhatsApp groups you are a member of, all other group participants will be able to see your background photo. This visibility remains even if you do not have the other group members saved in your own contacts.
So whenever you send a message in a group chat, all group members can view your background photo displayed alongside your message. And they can also see your background image by viewing your full profile within the group information.
WhatsApp Web/Desktop app users
People who access WhatsApp Web or the WhatsApp Desktop app will also be able to view your background photo. When other users log into the web or desktop version of WhatsApp with their account, they have access to the same profile information and background image as on their mobile device.
So any of your contacts using WhatsApp on their computer through WhatsApp Web or the desktop app can still see your background photo in chats or your profile.
Exceptions: Contacts you block
The one exception to the above visibility rules is any contact you block on WhatsApp. Blocked contacts will no longer be able to view your profile or background image.
So if there are specific contacts you want to hide your background photo from, you can block them individually. This will remove their ability to see your background or any other profile info.
Changing your background visibility
While the default WhatsApp settings let all your contacts view your background photo, you do have some control over its visibility:
- Set to “My Contacts Except…” – Choose specific contacts to exclude from seeing your background image.
- Set to “Nobody” – Completely hide your background photo from everyone.
- Set to “Everyone” – Let all WhatsApp users see your background, even if not in your contacts.
To change who can view your background image:
- Open WhatsApp Settings
- Tap Account > Privacy
- Tap “Who can see my personal info”
- Choose your desired background visibility option
This will let you customize exactly who is able to view your WhatsApp background photo as desired.
Who CANNOT see your background
There are certain WhatsApp users who will never be able to see your background photo, regardless of your settings, including:
- Users you don’t have saved in your contacts
- Users who don’t have your phone number saved
- Blocked contacts
Unless you choose the “Everyone” visibility setting, your background will remain hidden from these users even if they are on your contacts list or in a group chat with you.
Background preview in notifications
One important thing to note is that even if someone cannot see your WhatsApp background in your chat or profile, a preview of your background may still display in notifications on their device.
For example, if you get a WhatsApp message from someone not in your contacts, they will still get a notification preview on their device with your name, profile photo and a preview of your background image.
They cannot tap to view the full background or see it within WhatsApp. But the notification itself will contain a preview of your background photo icons and colors.
Conclusion
In summary, your WhatsApp background image is visible by default to all of your contacts, new contacts as they are added, non-contacts who have your number, group members, and WhatsApp Web/Desktop users.
The only way to limit background visibility is to change your privacy settings to hide it from specific contacts, all contacts, or only show it to everyone on WhatsApp.
Keep in mind notifications may still preview your background, even for users who can’t fully view it within WhatsApp itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone who is not your contact see your WhatsApp background?
No, users who do not have your phone number saved in their contacts will not be able to see your WhatsApp background photo. The only exception is if you set your background visibility to “Everyone”, which displays it publicly.
If I delete a contact, can they still see my background?
No, someone you delete from your contacts will no longer be able to view your WhatsApp background photo.
Can I prevent specific contacts from seeing my background?
Yes, you can set your background visibility to “My Contacts Except…” and then choose individual contacts to exclude from seeing your background image.
If someone I know uses WhatsApp Web can they view my background?
Yes, your WhatsApp background photo is visible to your contacts using WhatsApp Web or Desktop in addition to the mobile app.
Do blocked contacts still see my background photo?
No, blocked contacts can no longer view your WhatsApp profile or background image.
Can strangers see my background if I’m in a public group?
If you join a public group with strangers, they will be able to see your background photo but only within the context of the group chat or your profile in that group.
Comparison of Background Visibility By User Type
| User Type | Can See Background |
|---|---|
| Contacts | Yes |
| New Contacts Added | Yes |
| Non-Contacts Who Have Your Number | Yes |
| Group Members | Yes |
| WhatsApp Web/Desktop Users | Yes |
| Blocked Contacts | No |
| Non-Contacts Without Your Number | No |
This table summarizes the ability for different types of WhatsApp users to view your background photo or not, based on your default visibility settings.
Background Visibility Based on Privacy Settings
| Setting | Who Can See Background |
|---|---|
| My Contacts | All contacts except blocked users |
| My Contacts Except… | Chosen contacts excluded |
| Nobody | No one |
| Everyone | All WhatsApp users |
This table shows how your choice of privacy setting impacts which WhatsApp users can view your background photo.
Limiting Background Visibility
If you want to limit who can see your WhatsApp background photo, here are your options:
- Block specific contacts from seeing it
- Hide it from all contacts
- Exclude specific contacts but show it to everyone else
Change your WhatsApp privacy settings to adjust exactly who can view your background image.
Background Previews in Notifications
Important note: Even non-contacts may see a preview of your background photo in WhatsApp notifications on their device, even if they can’t view the full background image within WhatsApp.
WhatsApp Group Backgrounds
In addition to your personal profile background, WhatsApp also lets you set custom backgrounds for the groups you create or administer. The visibility settings work similarly:
- All group members will see the group background
- If you leave a group, you no longer see the group background
- Group backgrounds are not visible to non-members
So your choice of group background is only visible to current members of that specific WhatsApp group.
Conclusion
Your WhatsApp background photo offers a personalized touch to customize your profile. While visible by default to all your contacts, you do have control over its visibility using WhatsApp’s privacy settings.
Keep in mind notification previews may still contain your background image even for non-contacts. Understanding exactly who can see your background photo will allow you to tailor and manage its visibility.