How to Hide Your Phone Number on WhatsApp

WhatsApp shows your number to people you chat with, but you can limit who sees your photo, status and last seen, and hide your number in communities.

What you can and cannot hide

Privacy settings to change

1. Open Settings › Privacy.
2. Set Last seen and online to My contacts or Nobody.
3. Set Profile photo and About to My contacts.
4. Under Groups, choose who can add you, so strangers cannot add you to groups that show your number.
5. Turn on Silence unknown callers in calls settings.

Groups and communities

In ordinary groups, members can see each other's numbers. In communities, WhatsApp hides members' numbers from each other by default, showing them only to admins. If privacy matters, prefer communities to large public groups.

Using a second number

The only way to keep your personal number away from people you chat with is to use WhatsApp on a different number. WhatsApp Business on a second number is a common choice for sellers. Use a number you will keep: WhatsApp asks for a new code when you change phones. See using WhatsApp with another number.

Block and report

If someone misuses your number, block them from the chat menu, which stops their messages and calls. Report spam so WhatsApp can act on the account.

Do not use unofficial apps

Modified versions of WhatsApp that promise extra privacy features break WhatsApp's terms and can get your number banned.

Check what others see

To see your profile the way a stranger does, ask a friend who does not have your number saved to look you up, or check your privacy settings one by one. Changes apply straight away. Remember that people who already saved your number keep it in their own contacts, so privacy settings cannot remove it from their phone.

FAQ

Can I hide my number on WhatsApp?

Not from people you chat with. You can hide it in communities and limit other details.

Can group members see my number?

In normal groups, yes. In communities, numbers are hidden from other members.

Is there a WhatsApp setting to hide my number completely?

No. Use a second number if you need full separation.

Related: WhatsApp with another number · unblock on WhatsApp · find your WhatsApp number.