WhatsApp has introduced several advanced privacy updates in 2026, giving users far more control over their personal data. These features are especially important in India, where digital fraud, spam calls, and impersonation cases continue to rise. With the right settings, you can protect your identity and keep your conversations completely secure.
To help you stay safe, here are the latest WhatsApp privacy settings every Indian must enable in 2026, explained in simple and convincing language.
1. Limit Who Can See Your Profile Photo
WhatsApp now offers a more refined Profile Photo Visibility Control, allowing you to hide your DP from unknown users. Since scammers often misuse publicly visible profile photos, restricting access is essential.
Recommended:
Settings → Privacy → Profile Photo → My Contacts Except…
By excluding unnecessary contacts, you immediately reduce the risk of fake profile misuse.
2. Turn On “Silence Unknown Callers” With Auto-Flagging
The updated Silence Unknown Callers feature uses AI to automatically identify and mute potential spam calls. Consequently, fraudulent international calls and marketing calls never disturb you.
Enable via:
Settings → Privacy → Calls → Silence Unknown Callers
Because spam calls are increasing across India, this feature is now a must-have.
3. Lock Sensitive Chats With Cloud Sync Protection
Chat Lock has improved significantly in 2026. It now supports encrypted cloud syncing, which means your locked chats stay secure even after switching devices. This is extremely useful for safeguarding private messages, bank alerts, or business information.
To activate:
Open any chat → Contact Name → Chat Lock
4. Hide Your Online Status Completely
WhatsApp allows you to hide your online status from everyone. As a result, nobody can track your activity or check when you were last active.
Setup:
Settings → Privacy → Last Seen & Online → Same as Last Seen
Set Last Seen to Nobody.
This provides complete digital peace of mind.
5. Protect Private Media With Screenshot Blocking
The new View Once Media Protection blocks screenshots and screen recordings for one-time photos and videos. Consequently, any sensitive content you share becomes impossible to save or forward.
This feature is ideal for confidential documents and personal media.
6. Activate Device Verification to Prevent Account Hijacking
The upgraded Device Verification uses background authentication to prevent hackers from taking over your account—even if they steal your OTP. Additionally, you receive instant alerts whenever suspicious access is detected.
Check it via:
Settings → Account → Device Verification
Keeping all toggles enabled ensures maximum protection.
7. Turn On Encrypted Backups for Complete Security
Many users ignore this option, but WhatsApp backups stored on Google Drive or iCloud are not secure unless encryption is activated. Once switched on, your entire chat history becomes unreadable to everyone except you.
Enable:
Settings → Chats → Chat Backup → End-to-End Encrypted Backup → Turn On
8. Use Privacy Checkup for a Guided Review
The new Privacy Checkup section makes reviewing your privacy settings simple and quick. It helps you verify who can add you to groups, check your blocked list, and adjust status visibility.
Access via:
Settings → Privacy → Privacy Checkup
This guided review ensures your privacy remains updated at all times.
9. Disable Auto Media Download to Avoid Hidden Threats
Cybercriminals often send deceptive images or files through random groups. Because auto-download is risky, disabling it prevents harmful media from saving automatically to your phone.
Recommended:
Settings → Storage and Data → Media Auto-Download → Turn All Off
You can still download items manually when needed.
10. Restrict Group Adding Permission
Many Indians still face the problem of being added to random groups without consent. Fortunately, WhatsApp allows you to block this completely.
Enable:
Settings → Privacy → Groups → My Contacts Except…
Select all contacts.
Now, nobody can add you to a group until you approve the request.
WhatsApp continues to strengthen user privacy in 2026. However, these upgrades only protect you if you enable them. By updating your settings today, you can safeguard your identity, reduce spam, and keep your conversations fully secure.
Take a few minutes to activate these features—and enjoy a safer, more private digital life.
Also read : Best Hidden Android Features in 2025 You Never Used
