Do you have challenges on how to stop others from adding you to WhatsApp groups without your approval? WhatsApp is one of the most used instant messaging social media platforms that supports other WhatsApp users with your WhatsApp phone number to message you, share content with you or add you to a WhatsApp group.
WhatsApp usually allows every WhatsApp user irrespective of whether they are in your contact list or not to add you to WhatsApp groups.
Adding people to WhatsApp groups without their approval can be irritating and frustrating sometimes.
Thanks to the recent WhatsApp update that supports people to exist WhatsApp groups without other members of the group noticing, except the admin of the WhatsApp group. However, if you are not added to a WhatsApp group without your consent you won’t look for ways to exit the group.
You can stop others from adding you to WhatsApp groups without your approval by changing your WhatsApp privacy settings on your WhatsApp phone app.
How to Stop Others From Adding You to WhatsApp Groups
To stop others from adding you to WhatsApp groups via the WhatsApp app, follow the steps below for Android and iPhone devices.
How to Stop Others From Adding You to WhatsApp Groups on Andriod devices
Step 1. Open your WhatsApp on your Android device
Step 2. On the home page tap on the three vertical dots (more options/menu), on the top right border of your screen
Step 3. Tap on settings
Step 4. Tap on account
Step 5. Tap on Privacy
Step 6. Tap on groups, then You will see three options; Everyone(the default setting), my contacts and my contacts except…,. Select My contacts except…, which means only contacts in your address book, except those you exclude, can add you to WhatsApp groups without your approval.
Step 7. Select everybody in your contact, by clicking on the check menu button on the top right border of your screen. This automatically prevents anyone on the address book from adding you to any WhatsApp group without your approval.
Step 8. Tap Done or okay.
Note: After the above setting if someone in your contact tries to add you to a Whatsapp group, they will get a pop-up message that says they can’t add you and will be given the option to Invite you to the Group privately. You will have three days to accept the invite before it expires.
How to Stop Others From Adding You to WhatsApp Groups on iPhone
To stop others from adding you to WhatsApp groups on your iPhone follow the steps below:
Step 1. Open your WhatsApp on your iPhone
Step 2. Tap on settings
Step 3. Tap on Privacy
Step 4. Tap on groups
Step 5. You will see three options: Everyone(the default setting), My Contacts and My Contacts except…, Select My contacts except…, so only the contacts in your address book, except those you exclude, can add you to WhatsApp groups without your approval.
Step 6. Select everybody in your address book, by clicking on the check menu button on the top right border of your screen. This automatically prevents anyone on the address book from adding you to any WhatsApp group without your approval.
Step 7. Tap Done or okay.
Note: After the above setting if someone in your contact tries to add you to a Whatsapp group, they will get a pop-up message that says they can’t add you and will be given the option to Invite you to the Group privately. You will have three days to accept the invite before it expires.
Note: You can not change your Whatsapp privacy setting on WhatsApp Web or desktop, however, the settings from the phone app will be synchronised with WhatsApp Web and desktop.