Where to find read receipts in Android
Read receipts let the person you're texting know when you've opened their message. On Android, the steps depend on which messaging app you use — the built-in Messages app works differently from Google Messages, WhatsApp, or Samsung Messages.
The most common setup is Google Messages, which is the default texting app on most newer Android phones. If you use that app, open it, tap your profile picture in the top right corner, select "Settings," then "Advanced," then toggle "Show read receipts" on. That's it — people will now see when you've read their texts.
If you're using Samsung's Messages app instead, the path is slightly different: open Messages, tap the three-line menu at the top left, go to "Settings," then "Chat features," and turn on "Read receipts." The toggle will be right there.
Key Takeaways
- Google Messages shows read receipts through Settings > Advanced > Show read receipts, while Samsung Messages uses Settings > Chat features > Read receipts.
- Read receipts only work when both people are using the same messaging app — a read receipt sent through Google Messages won't show in an older SMS-only app.
- Turning on read receipts means others can see when you've opened their messages, so you lose the ability to read a text without them knowing.
- WhatsApp, Telegram, and other third-party apps have their own read receipt settings, usually found in the app's main settings menu under privacy or notifications.
The difference between read receipts and delivery receipts
A delivery receipt tells you the message reached the phone. A read receipt tells you the person actually opened it and saw it. They're not the same thing, and Android handles them separately.
Delivery receipts are usually on by default in most Android messaging apps — you'll see a single checkmark when the message is sent, and a double checkmark when it arrives on the other person's phone. Read receipts are the second step: they show a different indicator (often a blue checkmark or a timestamp) only when the person has actually opened the conversation and viewed the message.
Some apps let you turn off delivery receipts too, though that's less common. If you want to disable both, check your app's privacy settings — Google Messages and Samsung Messages both have options to turn off read receipts without affecting delivery receipts.
What happens when you turn read receipts on
Once read receipts are enabled, anyone texting you will see when you've read their message. There's no way to read a message without triggering the receipt — if the app is open and you view the text, they'll know about it.
This can feel like pressure. Some people turn read receipts on and then regret it because they feel obligated to respond when ready, or because they want to read a message without committing to a reply right away. If that's you, you can turn the setting back off at any time using the same menu path you used to turn it on.
One thing to know: read receipts only work between people using compatible apps. If you send a text through Google Messages to someone using an older phone with basic SMS, they won't see a read receipt from you, and you won't see one from them either. The feature only functions when both phones support it.
How to turn read receipts off if you change your mind
If you've turned on read receipts and want to disable them, the process is identical to turning them on — just toggle the setting back off. In Google Messages, that's Settings > Advanced > Show read receipts. In Samsung Messages, it's Settings > Chat features > Read receipts.
Turning off read receipts doesn't delete past read receipts you've already sent — people who saw that you read their earlier messages will still have seen that information. But going forward, they won't see when you open new messages.
Keep in mind that if you turn off read receipts, you also won't see read receipts from other people. The setting is mutual — it's not a way to hide your activity while still seeing theirs.
Read receipts in group chats
Group chats handle read receipts differently than one-on-one texts. In Google Messages and Samsung Messages, when you enable read receipts, everyone in the group can see when each person has read the message. You'll see a list of names below the message showing who's read it and who hasn't.
This can be useful for coordinating plans — you know when ready whether everyone has seen the message. But it also means your activity is visible to everyone in the chat, not just the person who sent the message. If privacy is a concern, remember that turning off read receipts will hide your status from the whole group.
Some group chats, especially older ones or those using basic SMS, may not support read receipts at all. If you don't see read receipt information in a group conversation, it's likely because at least one person in the chat is using an app or phone that doesn't support the feature.
Read receipts on WhatsApp and other third-party apps
WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, and other messaging apps have their own read receipt systems separate from your Android phone's default messaging app. WhatsApp shows blue checkmarks when a message is read, and you can turn this off in Settings > Privacy > Read receipts.
Telegram has a similar feature but calls it "Read receipts" in Settings > Privacy and Security. Signal also supports read receipts, found in Settings > Privacy > Read receipts. Each app manages the setting independently, so you might have read receipts on in WhatsApp but off in Google Messages.
The advantage of third-party apps is that you have more control over privacy. Some apps let you see other people's read receipts without sending your own, though this varies by app and changes with updates.
Troubleshooting read receipts that aren't working
If you've turned on read receipts but the other person isn't seeing them, the most common reason is that they're using a different messaging app than you are. If you're sending through Google Messages and they're receiving on an older SMS app, read receipts won't transmit.
Another possibility is that the other person has read receipts turned off on their end. Read receipts are a two-way feature — both people need to have them enabled to see the information. If they've disabled the setting, you won't see when they read your messages, and they won't see when you read theirs.
If read receipts are on for both of you and you're using the same app, but they still aren't showing up, try closing and reopening the messaging app. Sometimes the display glitches, and a fresh start fixes it. If the problem persists, check that your phone's software is up to date — older versions of messaging apps sometimes have bugs with read receipts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see read receipts without sending them?
Not in Google Messages or Samsung Messages — the setting is mutual. If you turn on read receipts, you both see and send them. Some third-party apps like Telegram offer more granular privacy controls, so check your specific app's settings if this matters to you.
Do read receipts work over WiFi and cellular equally?
Yes. Read receipts work the same way whether you're connected to WiFi or cellular data. The feature depends on the messaging app and the other person's settings, not on your connection type.
What if someone screenshots my message — will they see a read receipt?
Yes, taking a screenshot doesn't prevent a read receipt from being sent. The receipt triggers as soon as you open the message in the app, regardless of what you do with it afterward. Apps like Snapchat notify you of screenshots, but standard messaging apps do not.
Can I turn on read receipts for just one person?
No. Read receipts are an all-or-nothing setting in Google Messages and Samsung Messages. If you turn them on, everyone you text will see when you've read their messages. You can't selectively enable them for specific contacts.
Do read receipts drain my battery?
No. Read receipts use negligible battery power — they're just a small piece of data sent when you open a message. Enabling them won't noticeably affect your phone's battery life.