How to Turn Read Receipts Off on iPhone (Quick Scoop)

If you’re tired of people seeing that you’ve read their texts, you can turn off read receipts on your iPhone in just a few taps. This works for iMessage chats (blue bubbles), not regular SMS (green bubbles).

Step‑by‑Step: Turn Off Read Receipts for All Messages

Follow these steps to stop sending read receipts to everyone in iMessage:
  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
    2. [3][5][1]
  2. Scroll down and tap Messages.
    3. [5][1][3]
  3. Find the switch labeled Send Read Receipts.
    4. [1][3][5]
  4. Turn this switch off (it should appear grey, not green).
    5. [3][5][1]
Once it’s off, people will only see “Delivered” under messages you get, not “Read.”

Turn Off Read Receipts for Just One Person

If you still want read receipts on for most people but not for a few, you can change it per conversation (iOS 10 and later):
  1. Open the Messages app and tap the conversation you want to change.
    2. [6][7][1]
  2. Tap the contact’s name or profile icon at the top of the screen.
    3. [7][6][1]
  3. Scroll and look for Send Read Receipts in that contact’s details.
    4. [6][7][1]
  4. Turn this switch off for that chat.
    5. [7][1][6]
This only affects that single conversation; you can repeat the same steps for others if you want.

Mini Q&A: What You Should Know

Does this work for all messages? No. Read receipts only apply to iMessages (blue bubbles), not standard SMS texts (green bubbles).

How do I know it’s off?
Check that the Send Read Receipts toggle is grey in Settings → Messages, and grey in any individual conversation you changed.

Which iPhones/iOS versions?
The steps are essentially the same on recent iPhones (like iPhone 11–16) and iOS versions such as iOS 16 and iOS 17.

Forum & “Trending” Angle

People on tech forums and tutorial communities talk a lot about read receipts as a quiet way to reclaim a bit of messaging privacy and reduce the pressure to reply instantly. Many guides frame it as a tiny but powerful boundary: you can still read messages when you have time, without broadcasting exactly when you saw them.

“Turning off read receipts was one of the best things I did for my sanity. I reply when I can, not when my phone tells people I read something.” (typical forum sentiment, paraphrased)

Since iPhones remain hugely popular in 2025–2026, “how to turn read receipts off on iPhone” keeps showing up in short video tutorials and help articles, especially when new iOS versions roll out.

SEO Goodies: Keyword Notes

If you’re writing about this topic, sprinkle phrases like “how to turn read receipts off on iPhone”, “iMessage privacy,” “turn off Send Read Receipts,” and “iPhone messaging tips” naturally into headings and short paragraphs. Aim for clear, scannable sections, short steps, and bullet points—exactly what readers expect when they search for a quick how‑to in 2026.

TL;DR

  • Go to Settings → Messages → toggle Send Read Receipts off to stop sending read receipts to everyone.
  • Or open a specific chat → tap the name at the top → turn off Send Read Receipts just for that conversation.
  • This only affects iMessages (blue bubbles), not regular SMS texts.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.