A simple way to disable WhatsApp

depaul · Aug 30, 2024

WhatsApp is a powerful tool to communicate and share documents.
However, you can't disable it easily. It's always connected to the internet, even if you force close the app, it respawns and reconnects automatically after some time.

Well here is a simple way to disable it:
- Go to App permissions
- Disable internet permission for Whatsapp : Wifi and mobile (4G/5G).

That's it. When you want to use WhatsApp again just enable those permissions, and you'll start receiving messages/calls.

Scarlet · Aug 30, 2024

Is the simpler way not to just uninstall it? I don't think I've ever had a phone with it pre-installed, though maybe I'm just out of date with the Android folk.

Deleted member 702243 · Aug 30, 2024

depaul said:
WhatsApp is a powerful tool to communicate and share documents.
However, you can't disable it easily. It's always connected to the internet, even if you force close the app it reconnects automatically after some time.

Well here is a simple way to disable it:
- Go to App permissions
- Disable internet connection : Wifi and mobile (4G/5G).

That's it. When you want to use WhatsApp again just enable those permissions, and you'll start receiving messages/calls.

oh boy wait until you learn about inter-process communications

depaul · Aug 30, 2024

Scarlet said:
Is the simpler way not to just uninstall it? I don't think I've ever had a phone with it pre-installed, though maybe I'm just out of date with the Android folk.

Sometimes for business reasons you need to use WhatsApp and be "Always reachable" (that's my company's policy

unfortunately). I just want to stop it from spying on me and sending notifications to whoever sends me a message. Also uninstalling it is a bit tedious since I have gigabytes of data backup.

4d1xlaan said:
oh boy wait until you learn about inter-process communications

That method works for me so far! I don't know maybe you have newer Android version? (mine is 13)

Deleted member 702243 · Aug 30, 2024

depaul said:
That method works for me so far! I don't know maybe you have newer Android version (mine is 13)

as far as you know!

disabling internet permission doesn't prevent the app from sending data to another app which has internet enabled, and calling back to big brother in that way

depaul · Aug 30, 2024

4d1xlaan said:
as far as you know!

disabling internet permission doesn't prevent the app from sending data to another app which has internet enabled, and calling back to big brother in that way

Ok, I see. I'm not trying to debate that.
Basically, disallowing WhatsApp connection should prevent it from connecting to the internet (logically!).

Just tried that method (again) and it's effective. Even when I launch WhatsApp while connecting both Wifi and 5G, it says "Whatsapp can't use network, tap to allow" (Lol!).

Ok maybe you know another method? To stop WhatsApp when you want to?

Lostbhoy · Aug 30, 2024

What can you possibly have stored on WhatsApp that gigabytes of data and actually required?? I clear my WhatsApp data once a week as I really don't need anything anyone has sent me that i haven't dealt with once seen or moved it on. Just curious, it's a chat app!!

depaul · Aug 30, 2024

Lostbhoy said:
What can you possibly have stored on WhatsApp that gigabytes of data and actually required?? I clear my WhatsApp data once a week as I really don't need anything anyone has sent me that i haven't dealt with once seen or moved it on. Just curious, it's a chat app!!

Yes but we use it for business documents. I have tons of construction sites pictures. My manager even sends corporate emails and directly forwards those emails via WhatsApp. It's starting to get stressful.

Deleted member 702243 · Aug 30, 2024

depaul said:
Ok, I see. I'm not trying to debate that.
Basically, disallowing WhatsApp connection should prevent it from connecting to the internet (logically!).

Just tried that method (again) and it's effective. Even when I launch WhatsApp while connecting both Wifi and 5G, it says "Whatsapp can't use network, tap to allow" (Lol!).

Ok maybe you know another method? To stop WhatsApp when you want to?

just because whatsapp itself cannot access the internet, it doesn't mean it's not sending data in the background to a different app, which sends data back to big brother on whatsapp's behalf

but it's ok to live in willful ignorance I guess

what you actually want is to put whatsapp in a work profile (work-required apps in work profile, logically), and turn off the work profile when not in use

depaul · Aug 30, 2024

4d1xlaan said:
just because whatsapp itself cannot access the internet, it doesn't mean it's not sending data in the background to a different app, which sends data back to big brother on whatsapp's behalf

but it's ok to live in willful ignorance I guess

what you actually want is to put whatsapp in a work profile (work-required apps in work profile, logically), and turn off the work profile when not in use

Ok. It simply works... for me at least.
My device doesn't support "Work profile" feature. Thanks for the suggestion.

Lostbhoy · Aug 31, 2024

depaul said:
Yes but we use it for business documents. I have tons of construction sites pictures. My manager even sends corporate emails and directly forwards those emails via WhatsApp. It's starting to get stressful.

Thanks for the explanation! Never realised people use it for work purposes. We have Teams and its fucking horrible!!

I was gonna suggest just to turn off your background processes but that would only kill notifications really! Seems like your solution is the best one available. Till they find a workaround for that :wacko:

KleinesSinchen · Aug 31, 2024

pm disable com.whatsapp should turn it off without removing data. You can use Shizuku for access to adb privileges right on the device itself (though certain security theater apps like banking might complain if using dev options at all).

depaul said:
My device doesn't support "Work profile" feature

Safest option is a dedicated device.

Using a device for private stuff and for business is a bit problematic in my opinion, even when the work profile is supported. If a phone meeting certain conditions is mandatory for a job, then the company should provide (and control/maintain) it with MDM.
I wouldn't want them (potentially) having access to my private data and (potentially) exposing business/customer information to apps not related to work is a big no-no.

Secondary user accounts (to my knowledge not available on Samsung stock software for phones but on Samsung tablets) are worth a consideration in conjunction with complete logout enabled.

depaul · Aug 31, 2024

Lostbhoy said:
Thanks for the explanation! Never realised people use it for work purposes. We have Teams and its fucking horrible!!

I was gonna suggest just to turn off your background processes but that would only kill notifications really! Seems like your solution is the best one available. Till they find a workaround for that

Thank you Lostbhoy.

KleinesSinchen said:
pm disable com.whatsapp should turn it off without removing data. You can use Shizuku for access to adb privileges right on the device itself (though certain security theater apps like banking might complain if using dev options at all).

Safest option is a dedicated device.

Using a device for private stuff and for business is a bit problematic in my opinion, even when the work profile is supported. If a phone meeting certain conditions is mandatory for a job, then the company should provide (and control/maintain) it with MDM.
I wouldn't want them (potentially) having access to my private data and (potentially) exposing business/customer information to apps not related to work is a big no-no.

Secondary user accounts (to my knowledge not available on Samsung stock software for phones but on Samsung tablets) are worth a consideration in conjunction with complete logout enabled.

Thank you KleinesSinchen. This is also interesting.

Helenamccoy · 2026-06-11T15:16:20+0100

You can also automate the process using task automation apps to switch internet permissions on/off based on your schedule or location. Works smoothly for added convenience.

KleinesSinchen · 2026-06-11T16:28:22+0100

There was not much reason to bump this topic…

Well. Now that we have this idea here:

Helenamccoy said:
You can also automate the process using task automation apps to switch internet permissions on/off based on your schedule or location. Works smoothly for added convenience.

I want to add a few words of warning regarding any "automation" apps.

They often rely on accessibility service to perform tasks. Granting this permission for any app that is not a legitimate accessibility tool (like for example TalkBack) is a bad idea in my opinion. Parental controls, automation, convenience, cleanup, battery saver,… whatever it is: Unless it provides an actual accessibility function you personally need, the answer should be "NO!"

Long text, well worth the time:
https://chocapikk.com/posts/2026/android-a11y-god-mode/

A simple way to disable WhatsApp

Well-Known Member

Editorial Aspirant

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

HEY YOU GUYS!

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

HEY YOU GUYS!

GBAtemp's Backup Reminder + Fearless Testing Sina

Well-Known Member

New Member

GBAtemp's Backup Reminder + Fearless Testing Sina

Similar threads

Popular threads in this forum