How to Prevent Being Added to Unwanted WhatsApp Groups

Key Takeaways:

• By default, anyone in your contacts can add you to a group. To prevent unwanted additions, you need to tweak the group privacy settings.
• If you are added to an unwanted group, report it as spam. This enables WhatsApp to identify spammers and take action against them. You can also choose to block or leave the group immediately.

Prevent Being Added to Unwanted WhatsApp Groups by Changing Group Privacy

Android

1. Open WhatsApp on your mobile device, click on the three dots at the top of your screen and select Settings.
   
2. Next, click on Privacy.
   
3. Scroll down and click on Groups.
   
4. You will be given three options.
   
   • Everyone – If you choose this option, anyone, including those not part of your contact list, can add you to a group.
   • My contacts – If you select this option, any contact saved on your device will be able to add you to a group without your approval.
   • My contacts except – Choosing this option gives you the option to prevent specific contacts from adding you to a Whatsapp group.
5. Select the last option if you want to prevent everyone from adding you to a WhatsApp group without permission.
   

iOS

1. Open WhatsApp on your iOS device and click on the Settings icon on the bottom right corner of your screen.
   
2. Next, click on Privacy on the settings page.
   
3. Now, click on Groups.
   
4. You will get three options.
   
   • Everyone – If you choose this option, anyone, including those not part of your contact list, can add you to a group.
   • My contacts – If you select this option, any contact saved on your device will be able to add you to a group without your approval.
   • My contacts except – Choosing this option gives you the option to prevent specific contacts from adding you to a Whatsapp group.
5. To stop anyone from adding you to a group without your permission, select the last option.
   
6. You will be able to prevent all your contacts from adding you to WhatsApp groups without your permission.

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