How to turn off read receipts on Android

How to turn off read receipts on Android

Are you wondering how to turn off read receipts on your Android phone? Trust me, I’ve been there too. Having someone know that I kept their messages on read is not a situation I’d prefer being in. It becomes worse if I accidentally forget to reply to someone close!

The read receipts feature lets you know whether the recipient has read your messages. Hence, it’s inconvenient if you want to view the messages discreetly. So, here I’ll share the steps to disable read receipts on Android messages. Before that, let’s understand how read receipts work.

How does Android read receipts feature work?

Read receipts only work when you and the recipients both have turned on RCS chat on Android’s built-in Google Messages app and are using a stable internet connection. If you enable read receipts, the sender will know whether you’ve read their messages.

Similarly, if your friends keep their read receipts on, you’ll be able to see whether they’ve read your texts. However, unlike the iPhone, Google Messages doesn’t allow you to turn off read receipts for specific contacts.

Therefore, if you want to read SMS messages without the sender knowing, you must disable the read receipts feature altogether on your Android. Let’s jump into the steps!

How to turn off read receipts on Android text messages

  1. Open Messages by Google on your Android phone.
  2. Tap the Profile icon in the top right corner.
  3. Go to Message settings.

    Select the Profile icon and tap on Message Settings on your Android phone
  4. Tap RCS chats.
  5. Toggle off Send read receipts.

    Tap on the RCS chats and toggle on Read Receipts on your Android phone

Once you disable the read receipts, your contacts can no longer see the Read label and the time stamp under your messages.

As I mentioned earlier, the read receipts feature is available only when you’ve turned on RCS chats in your Messages app’s settings. Hence, turning off RCS chats can also disable the feature. However, keep in mind that it hinders other texting features, too.

Turn off read receipts for reduced stress levels!

Read receipts can sometimes cause unnecessary stress, especially when you leave the sender ‘on read’ and think they will feel ignored or overlooked. Also, you may feel pressured to reply after reading the message. Therefore, disabling it provides a more relaxed communication experience.

What are your views about read receipts? Let me know in the comment section!

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  • Samvida Sharan

    For more than three years, Samvida has seamlessly blended her legal acumen with a passion for writing, choosing to embark on a journey that deciphers intricate legal nuances with eloquence. As a dedicated lawyer turned wordsmith, she finds joy in crafting narratives that transform complex jargon into a language that’s both comprehensible and practical. Passionate about all things crypto, space, and tech, Samvida’s curiosity mirrors that of a perpetual learner. Through her dedication, she aims to share the knowledge she’s gathered, ensuring her readers save precious time in their quest for insightful information.


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