Does WhatsApp Notify Screenshots? The Complete Answer

WhatsApp claims to provide a secure and private communication platform globally. Using this end-to-end encrypted app, you can chat with contacts, share media, and post statuses. However, the actual privacy of WhatsApp users is shady.

WhatsApp allows users to take screenshots, which is a major weakness and privacy concern for many users. This often makes many users wonder that: does WhatsApp notify screenshots of chats or statuses. Therefore, this guide is going to cover everything about WhatsApp screenshots you need to know. So, let’s get started!

Part 1. Does WhatsApp Show if You Screenshot?

No, WhatsApp does not show if you take any screenshots in the app. Unlike Snapchat, it has no feature to sense or report screenshots on the platform.

So, it’s a big “NO” to your query that does WhatsApp show when you screenshot.

When you take screenshots of stories on Snapchat, the person is notified. You may be warned, blocked, or confronted by the person. In the worst situation, he may take legal action against you.

But with no restrictions on WhatsApp, users can easily take screenshots of conversations, chat threads, profile pictures, and statuses uploaded by other contacts without letting them know.

You can take as many screenshots as you like using the built-in screenshot feature of your phone without fear of being monitored.

Part 2. Is It Illegal to Screenshot WhatsApp Messages?

No, it is generally not illegal to screenshot WhatsApp messages as long as it is your personal discussion and you are involved as a participant. However, in this case, you must take the permission of the other participant before taking the screenshot.

On the other hand, taking screenshots of others’ private chats is against the law and unethical. This practice is not encouraged anywhere in the world.

In some cases, if you are caught distributing or sharing any private information, strict action can be taken against you. The misuse of information can lead to serious consequences.

Part 3. How to Screenshot WhatsApp Chat Without Letting Them Knowing?

WhatsApp never notifies the user if you take a screenshot of any chat. Therefore, you may use any method to screenshot WhatsApp chat.

For taking a screenshot on an iPhone, use the following technique:

1. Launch WhatsApp on your iPhone.
2. Open the chat that you want to capture.
3. Press and hold the Home and Power button simultaneously. A shutter sound can be heard, indicating a successful screenshot capture.

To capture WhatsApp chat shots on Android, follow the given steps:

1. Launch WhatsApp on your Android phone.
2. Open the chat that you want to capture.
3. Press and hold the Home and Power button simultaneously. In case you don’t have a physical home button, press and hold the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons simultaneously.
4. With a camera shutter sound, you can notice a successful chat shot.

Part 4. Does WhatsApp Notify When You Screenshot a Story?

No, WhatsApp doesn’t notify users when you screenshot their story or status on the platform. It has no feature that restricts taking shots or informs users about such activities on their statuses.

WhatsApp allows the sharing of text, images, videos, and GIFs on stories that are visible to selected contacts for 24 hours.

When you open a story to view it, the person who uploaded it can see your name with the timestamp. So they can see how many people viewed their status but not who took screenshots.

Therefore, you can take a screenshot of the story without explicitly notifying the contact. This is one of the major privacy concerns that users experience with WhatsApp.

Part 5. How to Screenshot WhatsApp Status Without Them Knowing?

Another commonly asked question by users is: can you screenshot WhatsApp status without letting them knowing?

Since WhatsApp never notifies users when someone screenshots their stories, you can easily screenshot the WhatsApp status of any contact without letting them know. All you have to do is simply use the screenshot function of your smartphone to take the picture.

Follow the below steps to take a screenshot on iPhone:

1. Launch WhatsApp on your iPhone.
2. Open the status that you want to capture.
3. Press and hold the Home and Power button simultaneously. A shutter sound can be heard, indicating a successful screenshot capture.

Follow the below steps to take a screenshot on Android:

1. Launch WhatsApp on your Android phone.
2. Open the chat that you want to capture.
3. Press and hold the Home and Power button simultaneously. In case you don’t have a physical home button, press and hold the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons simultaneously.
4. you can notice a successful chat shot with a camera shutter sound.

Part 6. How to Prevent Someone from Taking Screenshots on WhatsApp Status?

Now that we know the answer is a big “no” for does WhatsApp tell you when someone screenshots, the next question is how to prevent others from taking screenshots?

Unfortunately, WhatsApp has no built-in feature to prevent users from taking screenshots of your chats, profile pictures, and stories. However, you can use some measures to protect your privacy on the platform while sharing your status.

Below, we have listed three effective ways to prevent others from taking screenshots of status on WhatsApp:

Change Privacy Settings

WhatsApp status privacy setting allows you to choose to whom you want to show the status. This way, you can avoid sharing the status to contacts that can likely take the screenshot.

Follow the below steps to prevent someone from taking screenshots of your WhatsApp status by changing privacy settings:

• Launch WhatsApp on your phone.
• Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner and select Settings.

• Click Privacy.

• Scroll down and click Status.

• From the Status Privacy options, select “My contacts except..“.

• Check against contacts to block from viewing your status.
• Click the tick icon to confirm the settings.

Now, when you post a status, those contacts will not be able to see the status.

Block Specific Contact

Other than changing the privacy setting, you can also block the specific contact and prevent him/her from viewing and screenshotting the status.

Follow the below steps to block a specific contact to prevent from taking the screenshot:

• Launch WhatsApp on your phone.
• Open the person chat you want to block.
• Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner and then click More.

• Click Block and confirm your choice.

This way, the selective contact can no longer view or screenshot your WhatsApp status. However, doing so will also block the messages from that contact.

Use Third-Party App to Share Status

Since it is a clear “YES” for the question that can you screenshot WhatsApp status without them knowing, you can share status through any other third-party app. Snapchat is another best app to share status, which also notifies you when someone takes a screenshot. So, if your contacts also follow you on Snapchat, then try using it for sharing status next time.

Final Words

WhatsApp is the best platform for chatting, sharing files, and posting statuses. However, it makes many users explore does WhatsApp notify screenshots due to its limited support in this aspect.

WhatsApp currently has no feature to detect and report users taking screenshots of your chats, profile pictures, and statuses. So, follow the methods discussed in this guide to use other measures to prevent others from taking screenshots on WhatsApp, especially WhatsApp status. Besides that, check out Dr.Fone – WhatsApp Transfer to backup and transfer WhatsApp chats and media files between Android and iOS.