WhatsApp: How to exclude contacts from using it

[trendie]

I hate Whatsapp.
Good for group chats. For example, family updates, or small friend groups.
Seems to me though you can't exclude anyone from chatting via whatsapp.

I just added a new contact.
And my phone seemed to automatically allow me to WhatsApp them.
I dont want to do that.
Does this mean they can whatsapp me?

How do I stop this?
I am not anti-social, but I hate this enforced socialising and faux chumminess.
I like to be business-like, and like things to be in neat boxes.
Friends are friends. (include).
Business or acquaintances are just that. I want it to be difficult for them to engage me in tedious nonsense. (exclude)

How do I exclude contacts from WhatsApping me?

 

[MasterOfCoin]

You can't.

But you can 'ignore' them and set things so you will never see their messages or be bugged with notifications that they've been sent. They can still send them, but you won't be bothered or even aware unless you specifically go and check for them.

Bear in mind the sender won't know this and will be left to draw their own conclusions about your lack of response.

 

[Trader333]

Your predicament appears to me to be somewhat contradictory. To clarify, you have added a new contact but want to prevent them from being able to contact you using Whatsapp ? The problem is that if you have added a contact it presumes you are happy to be contacted on any app you have on your phone. The only way to prevent it is to block the contact via the contacts app but then you will be unable to contact them at all. Most apps use the phones own "contacts" app as a basis for determining who you are happy to have contact you. There may be some apps out there that allow you to block contacts via the app itself but this would be classed as inefficient use of coding. One of the key concepts in all coding is to not replicate what is already there and that will apply as much to IOS and Android as much as any other software. There may be a separate app that allows you to do what you want but if so I am not yet aware of it.

 

[trendie]

Your predicament appears to me to be somewhat contradictory. To clarify, you have added a new contact but want to prevent them from being able to contact you using Whatsapp ? The problem is that if you have added a contact it presumes you are happy to be contacted on any app you have on your phone. The only way to prevent it is to block the contact via the contacts app but then you will be unable to contact them at all. Most apps use the phones own "contacts" app as a basis for determining who you are happy to have contact you. There may be some apps out there that allow you to block contacts via the app itself but this would be classed as inefficient use of coding. One of the key concepts in all coding is to not replicate what is already there and that will apply as much to IOS and Android as much as any other software. There may be a separate app that allows you to do what you want but if so I am not yet aware of it.

Not contradictory, so much as being able to control the channels of comms.
i don't want to have to accept a facetime call, for example, unless I feel like it,
Sometimes a text is short and to the point, as opposed to a meandering phone call.
I find WhatsApp are too "colourful and friendly" and encourage pointless stuff.
Black and white texting makes people stick to the point, I find.

I am coming across as a grouch. (facepalm)

 

[Trader333]

....i don't want to have to accept a facetime call, for example, unless I feel like it,

Have you tried "not answering" or using the "Decline" option ?

 

[trendie]

Have you tried "not answering" or using the "Decline" option ?

does Decline mean revert to normal voice call?
I always thought it meant reject the call entirely. (thats what I have always been doing)

This is turning into the very ping-pong thing I hate about whatsapp.
I am off to get some lunch now.

 

[Trader333]

,,,does Decline mean revert to normal voice call?

No it rejects it and I was being a bit "tongue in cheek"