How to Enable Strict Account Settings on WhatsApp? 12 Settings!
In today’s digital world, privacy and security are more important than ever. Messaging apps store personal conversations, media files, contact details, and even payment information. That is why enabling strict account settings on WhatsApp is essential for protecting your personal data and preventing unauthorized access.
Although WhatsApp does not provide a single button labeled “Strict Account Settings,” it offers several advanced privacy and security features that you can configure to make your account highly secure.
Strict account settings on WhatsApp mean configuring all available privacy controls, security layers, and account protection features to their highest protective level.
WhatsApp offers features such as:
- Privacy controls that limit who can see your personal information
- Two-step verification for added login security
- End-to-end encryption for secure conversations
- Chat lock and biometric authentication
- Group privacy management
- Disappearing messages and view once media
- Advanced account protection alerts
By carefully adjusting these features, you create a secure environment that minimizes risks such as identity theft, phishing attempts, spam messages, and unauthorized logins.
This complete guide explains 12 must-do settings you can enable to achieve the most secure configuration possible on your WhatsApp account.
So let’s start!
How to Enable Strict Account Settings on WhatsApp?
To enable strict account settings on WhatsApp, open WhatsApp and go to Settings, tap Privacy, and adjust options like Last Seen and Online, Profile Photo, About, and Status to My Contacts or Nobody. Then enable Two Step Verification, turn on Security Notifications, activate End-to-End Encrypted Chat Lock, and review Group Privacy Settings. These changes help maximize account privacy and prevent unauthorized access.
Now, let us go step by step to enable strict account settings on WhatsApp.
Step 1: Open WhatsApp Settings
First, open the WhatsApp application on your Android or iPhone device.
On Android, tap the three-dot menu in the top right corner and select Settings.
On iPhone, tap Settings at the bottom right corner.
Inside Settings, you will see options such as Account, Privacy, Security, and Chats. These sections contain the main tools needed to enable strict account protection.
Step 2: Adjust Privacy Settings for Maximum Protection
Tap on Privacy inside the Settings menu. This section allows you to control who can view your personal details.
Start by configuring the following options:
Set Last Seen and Online to My Contacts or Nobody. If you want maximum privacy, select Nobody. This prevents strangers from tracking your activity status.
Set Profile Photo visibility to My Contacts. This ensures that unknown users cannot download or misuse your display picture.
Change About to My Contacts or Nobody. This hides your personal bio from unknown users.
Set Status privacy to My Contacts except, and manually exclude unknown or untrusted contacts.
Disable Read Receipts if you want additional privacy, but remember this also prevents you from seeing others’ read receipts.
These adjustments prevent strangers and spam accounts from collecting your information.
Step 3: Enable Two-Step Verification
Return to the main Settings page and tap Account. Then select Two Step Verification.
Tap Enable and create a six-digit PIN. This PIN will be required whenever your phone number is registered on a new device.
Add an email address for recovery purposes. This is important in case you forget your PIN.
Two-step verification adds an extra layer of protection. Even if someone obtains your SIM card or verification code, they cannot access your account without the PIN.
Step 4: Turn On Security Notifications
Inside the Account section, tap on Security Notifications.
Enable the option to show security notifications. This feature alerts you whenever a contact’s security code changes.
Security codes change when someone reinstalls WhatsApp or switches devices. Receiving notifications helps you verify that you are still communicating securely.
This feature strengthens your awareness of potential account compromise.
Step 5: Configure Group Privacy Settings
Go back to Privacy and tap on Groups.
Select My Contacts or My Contacts except. This prevents strangers from adding you to unknown groups without permission.
If someone who is not in your contacts tries to add you to a group, they will need to send you a private invitation first.
This reduces spam, scam groups, and unwanted promotional messages.
Step 6: Enable Chat Lock and Biometric Authentication
For strict account protection, enable Chat Lock and biometric security.
Open any chat, tap on the contact name at the top, and select Chat Lock.
Enable lock and choose fingerprint, Face ID, or device passcode authentication depending on your device.
You can also go to Settings, then Privacy, and enable App Lock if available on your device.
This ensures that even if someone gains physical access to your phone, they cannot open WhatsApp without authentication.
Step 7: Activate Disappearing Messages
To enhance privacy further, enable Disappearing Messages.
Open a chat, tap on the contact name, and select Disappearing Messages. Choose a time duration such as 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days.
This feature automatically deletes messages after the selected period.
Disappearing messages reduce the risk of long-term data exposure if your phone is compromised.
Step 8: Review Linked Devices
In the main Settings menu, tap Linked Devices.
Review all devices connected to your account. If you see any unknown device, log it out immediately.
This prevents unauthorized access through WhatsApp Web or other linked platforms.
Regularly checking linked devices is essential for maintaining strict account control.
Step 9: Enable End-to-End Encrypted Backups
WhatsApp chats are already protected with end-to-end encryption, but backups may not be encrypted by default.
Go to Settings, tap Chats, then Chat Backup.
Enable End-to-End Encrypted Backup and create a strong password or encryption key.
This ensures that even cloud backups cannot be accessed without your encryption credentials.
Step 10: Block Suspicious Contacts
If you receive spam or suspicious messages, block the contact immediately.
Open the chat, tap the contact name, and select Block Contact.
Blocking prevents them from messaging, calling, or viewing your profile information.
This adds another protective layer to your strict account settings.
Step 11: Enable Silence, Unknown Callers
Go to Privacy and tap on Calls. Enable Silence Unknown Callers. This automatically silences calls from numbers not saved in your contacts.
This helps protect you from scam calls and fraudulent attempts.
Step 12: Keep WhatsApp Updated
Always install the latest updates from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
Updates include security patches, bug fixes, and new privacy features.
Running an outdated version may expose your account to vulnerabilities.
Faqs
What do strict account settings mean on WhatsApp?
Strict account settings refer to enabling all available privacy and security features, such as two-step verification, privacy restrictions, chat lock, and encrypted backups, to maximize account protection.
Is two-step verification necessary?
Yes, two-step verification significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized account access, especially in SIM swap or OTP interception attacks.
Can someone hack my WhatsApp if strict settings are enabled?
While no system is completely immune, enabling strict settings greatly reduces the chances of hacking or unauthorized access.
Does disabling read receipts improve privacy?
Yes, disabling read receipts prevents others from knowing when you have read their messages. However, you will also not see their read receipts.
Are WhatsApp messages already encrypted?
Yes, WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption by default, meaning only you and the recipient can read the messages.
How often should I review security settings?
It is recommended to review your privacy and security settings at least once every three months.
Ending Lines
Enabling strict account settings on WhatsApp is one of the smartest decisions you can make to protect your digital privacy. With cyber threats increasing daily, taking a few minutes to configure advanced privacy options can prevent serious security risks in the future.
By adjusting privacy controls, enabling two-step verification, activating chat lock, reviewing linked devices, and securing backups, you build a strong defense around your account. Remember that online safety is not a one-time task but an ongoing process.