Read receipts are a double-edged sword. While it is incredibly useful to know that your partner or colleague has successfully received and read your urgent message, that same feature can create immense social pressure. When the sender sees the word “Read” beneath their text, they often expect an immediate reply. If you prefer to read messages on your own schedule without feeling obligated to respond instantly, you should turn off read receipts on iMessage.
Apple provides excellent flexibility for this feature. You can choose to disable read receipts globally for everyone, or you can leave them on by default and only disable them for specific, demanding contacts. Because iMessage syncs across your iCloud account, changing this setting on your iPhone will usually update your Mac and iPad as well, though it is always best to double-check each device.
How to Turn Off Read Receipts for Everyone (iPhone & iPad)
If you want ultimate privacy and never want anyone to know when you have read their texts, follow these steps to disable the feature globally on your mobile device.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Scroll down the list and tap on Messages.
- Look for the toggle switch labelled Send Read Receipts.
- Tap the switch to turn it Off (the switch will turn from green to grey).
From now on, when someone sends you an iMessage (a blue bubble), they will only see the word “Delivered” beneath their text, regardless of whether you have opened it or not. (Note: SMS text messages—the green bubbles—do not support read receipts anyway, so this setting only applies to other Apple users).
How to Turn Off Read Receipts for Specific Contacts (iPhone & iPad)
Perhaps you want your spouse to know when you have read their grocery list, but you do not want your boss to know you have seen their weekend text. You can override your global settings on a per-person basis.
- Open the Messages app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap on the conversation with the specific person you want to restrict.
- Tap on the person’s Name or Profile Picture at the top centre of the screen.
- Scroll down until you find the Send Read Receipts toggle.
- Turn the toggle Off for this specific contact.
- Tap Done in the top right corner.
How to Turn Off Read Receipts on a Mac
If you frequently read texts on your computer while working, you should ensure your Mac is not accidentally sending read receipts on your behalf.
- Open the Messages application on your Mac.
- Click on Messages in the top-left menu bar (next to the Apple logo).
- Select Settings (or Preferences on older macOS versions).
- Click on the iMessage tab at the top of the window.
- Uncheck the box labelled Send read receipts.
Just like on the iPhone, you can also manage this for individual contacts on a Mac. Simply click on a conversation, click the small “i” (info) icon in the top right corner of the window, and uncheck the “Send read receipts” box for that specific person.
