Discord shows a small checkmark next to a direct message to let the sender know you have read it. This is called a read receipt. Some users prefer more privacy and want to disable this feature so others cannot see when they have opened a message. This article explains how to turn off read receipts on the Discord mobile app for iPhone and Android.
Read receipts apply only to direct messages and group DMs. They do not apply to server text channels. When you disable read receipts, the sender will not see a checkmark even if you open and read the message. The setting is account-wide, so it affects all direct messages on your account.
Turning off read receipts is a simple toggle in the app settings. No special permissions or server changes are needed. The feature is available in the Privacy & Safety section of user settings on the Discord mobile app.
Key Takeaways: Disabling Read Receipts on Discord Mobile
- User Settings > Privacy & Safety > Read Receipts toggle: Turn off the switch to stop sending read receipts in direct messages and group DMs.
- Account-wide setting: Disabling read receipts affects all direct messages on your account across all devices, including desktop.
- No effect on server messages: Read receipts only apply to direct messages and group DMs, not to text channels in servers.
What Are Discord Read Receipts on Mobile
Read receipts are small visual indicators that show when a recipient has opened a direct message. On Discord, the indicator is a solid checkmark that appears to the right of the message timestamp after the recipient has viewed the message. If the recipient has not read the message, no checkmark appears. This feature is enabled by default for all users.
The purpose of read receipts is to provide feedback to the sender that the message has been seen. This can be useful in conversations where timing matters, such as coordinating plans or confirming receipt of important information. However, some users find it intrusive because it removes the ability to read a message without the sender knowing.
Discord offers a single toggle to disable read receipts entirely. There is no option to disable them for specific contacts or conversations. The setting applies to all direct messages and group DMs. Server text channels never show read receipts, so the toggle does not affect them.
When you disable read receipts, the sender will not see any checkmark on their end, even if you have opened the message. The message will appear as unread from the sender’s perspective. You will still be able to see when you have read a message on your own device, but that information is not sent back to the sender.
Steps to Disable Read Receipts on Discord Mobile
Follow these steps to turn off read receipts in the Discord mobile app for iPhone or Android. The steps are identical on both platforms.
- Open the Discord mobile app
Launch Discord on your iPhone or Android device. Make sure you are logged into the account where you want to disable read receipts. - Tap your profile picture or avatar
In the bottom navigation bar, tap your profile picture icon located at the far right. On some devices, this may be a small circle with your avatar image. - Tap User Settings
From the menu that appears, select the User Settings option. It is usually represented by a gear icon next to your username. - Scroll to Privacy & Safety
In the User Settings menu, scroll down until you see the Privacy & Safety section. Tap on it to open the privacy settings. - Locate the Read Receipts toggle
In the Privacy & Safety settings, look for the option labeled Read Receipts. It is near the top of the list, under the heading Privacy. - Turn off the Read Receipts toggle
Tap the toggle switch next to Read Receipts so that it turns gray or slides to the off position. The change takes effect immediately. No save button is needed.
After disabling the toggle, any direct messages you open will not send a read receipt to the sender. The setting syncs across all devices where you are logged into Discord. If you later want to re-enable read receipts, follow the same steps and turn the toggle back on.
Common Mistakes and Limitations
Read receipts still appear after turning off the toggle
If read receipts still show for other users after you disable the toggle, the setting may not have synced. Force close the Discord app and reopen it. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the app switcher, then swipe the Discord app card up to close it. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Discord > Force Stop. Relaunch the app and check again.
Read receipts are still visible in server DMs
Discord does not show read receipts in server text channels. If you see a checkmark in a server channel, it is likely a different indicator such as the message being pinned or a system message. Read receipts only apply to direct messages and group DMs.
Other users can tell I read a message even with read receipts off
Disabling read receipts prevents Discord from sending the read status to the sender. However, there are indirect ways a sender might infer you have read a message. For example, if you reply to the message, the sender knows you have seen it. Also, if you are active in a shared server immediately after receiving a DM, the sender may assume you have read it. No setting can prevent these behavioral clues.
The toggle is missing on my Discord mobile app
The Read Receipts toggle is available in Discord version 100.0 and later on both iOS and Android. If you do not see the toggle, update the app to the latest version from the App Store or Google Play Store. After updating, restart the app and check the Privacy & Safety settings again.
Read Receipts: Disabled vs Enabled
| Item | Read Receipts Enabled (Default) | Read Receipts Disabled |
|---|---|---|
| Sender sees checkmark | Yes, after recipient opens the message | No, message appears unread to sender |
| Recipient sees own read status | Yes, visible on recipient’s device | Yes, visible on recipient’s device but not sent to sender |
| Applies to direct messages | Yes | Yes |
| Applies to server text channels | No | No |
| Setting syncs across devices | Yes | Yes |
You can now control whether your contacts see when you have read their direct messages on Discord mobile. To verify the setting is working, ask a friend to send you a direct message and check if they see a checkmark after you open it. If you need to re-enable read receipts later, follow the same steps and turn the toggle back on. For more privacy options, explore the Privacy & Safety settings to adjust who can send you friend requests or direct messages.