How to Control Who is Able to Join a WhatsApp Group

One of WhatsApp’s prominent features is group chats, where multiple users can join and participate in conversations. However, managing a WhatsApp group effectively may sometimes require controlling who can join the group to maintain privacy, security, and relevant discussions. In this article, we will explore various methods to control who can join a WhatsApp group.

Read Also: How to Leave/Exit WhatsApp Groups Silently

Control Who is Able to Join a WhatsApp Group

1. Launch WhatsApp on your mobile device.
2. Choose the specific group for which you wish to manage access.
3. Access the Group Settings menu.
4. Locate and enable the “Approve new participants” option.
5. With this feature activated, group admins will need to approve requests from individuals who wish to join the group.

Read Also: Only Admin to send messages in WhatsApp Groups

Choose Who Can Add You to a Group

To adjust WhatsApp group privacy settings, follow these steps:

For Android:

1. Tap on “More options” and then go to “Settings.”
2. Navigate to “Account,” then select “Privacy,” and finally, choose “Groups.”

For iPhone:

1. Access “Settings.”
2. Click on “Privacy” and then select “Groups.”

Once you follow these steps, you can select the desired group privacy option.

• Everyone: Any person, including those not in your phone’s contacts, can add you to groups without requiring your approval.

• My Contacts: Only people listed in your phone’s address book can add you to groups without seeking your approval. If a group admin, who is not in your contacts, tries to add you, they will receive a notification. They can then choose to send you a private group invitation through an individual chat by tapping “Invite to Group” or pressing “Continue” and then the send button. You will have three days to accept the invitation before it expires.

• My Contacts Except…: You can allow only specific contacts from your phone’s address book to add you to groups without needing your approval. After selecting “My Contacts Except…,” you can exclude certain contacts by searching for or selecting them. If a group admin, whom you have excluded, attempts to add you to a group, they will be notified that they cannot do so. They will then have the option to send you a private group invitation through an individual chat by tapping “Invite to Group” and then the send button. You will have three days to accept the invitation before it expires.

If prompted, tap “DONE” or press “OK.”