A simple way to disable WhatsApp

[depaul]

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]

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 I don't think I've ever had a phone with it pre-installed, though maybe I'm just out of date with the Android folk.

 

[4d1xlaan]

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]

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 I don't think I've ever had a phone with it pre-installed, though maybe I'm just out of date with the Android folk.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.

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)

 

[4d1xlaan]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[4d1xlaan]

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]

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]

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

 

[KleinesSinchen]

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).

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]

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.

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.