How to Report WhatsApp Messages: A Step-by-Step Guide

Reporting a WhatsApp message flags it to WhatsApp’s moderation team for review. This is the right move when you receive spam, harassment, scams, or illegal content. You can report individual messages or entire chats, and the process takes less than a minute. Before you start, make sure you have the chat open and the message visible on your screen.

What You’ll Need

• The WhatsApp app installed on your phone (Android or iPhone) or access to WhatsApp Web/Desktop.
• The chat containing the message you want to report.
• An internet connection.

Step-by-Step

Reporting a Single Message (Android & iPhone)

1. Open WhatsApp and navigate to the chat that contains the message you want to report.
2. Press and hold the specific message bubble until it is highlighted and a toolbar appears at the top of the screen.
3. Tap the three vertical dots (⋮) on Android, or the “More� option on iPhone (usually represented by “…� at the bottom right of the toolbar).
4. Select Report from the drop-down menu.
5. A confirmation prompt will appear. You can optionally check the box that says “Include [contact name] in report� to send the last few messages to WhatsApp for context. This is often helpful for spam or harassment.
6. Tap Report to submit. WhatsApp will review the report, and the reported message is also deleted from your device.

Reporting an Entire Chat (Android & iPhone)

1. Open WhatsApp and go to the main chat list (the screen that shows all your conversations).
2. Press and hold the chat you want to report until it is selected and a toolbar appears at the top.
3. Tap the three vertical dots (⋮) on Android, or the “…� icon on iPhone (usually at the bottom right).
4. Select More > Report (on Android) or Report directly (on iPhone).
5. You’ll see a confirmation dialog. You can choose to “Include [contact name] in report� if you want to send the recent messages as evidence.
6. Tap Report to submit. The chat will be reported, and you will also have the option to delete the chat from your device.

Reporting from WhatsApp Web or Desktop

1. Open the chat that contains the message you want to report.
2. Hover over the message and click the downward arrow (▼) that appears on the right side.
3. Select Report from the menu.
4. Confirm by clicking Report in the pop-up.

Reporting a Contact Without Opening the Chat

1. Go to the chat list, tap the contact’s name to open their profile (or click the name at the top of an open chat).
2. Scroll to the bottom of the profile page.
3. Tap Report Contact (or Report on some versions).
4. Confirm the action. You can also block the contact at the same time.

Common Mistakes

• Reporting the wrong message: Make sure you long-press the exact message you want to report. If you select the chat instead, you’ll report the entire conversation, which may not be what you intended.
• Not including context: WhatsApp can act faster if you include the last few messages. If you skip the “Include in report� option, they may not have enough information to take action.
• Deleting the message before reporting: If you delete the message first, you can no longer report it. Always report before deleting.
• Expecting an immediate reply: WhatsApp does not send you a confirmation or a status update. The report is reviewed silently.
• Using the wrong platform: The steps are slightly different on Android, iPhone, and Web. If you follow the wrong set, you may not find the “Report� option.

Tips

• Block the sender: After reporting, block the contact to prevent further messages. You can do this from the same menu.
• Take screenshots: For serious harassment or threats, save screenshots of the conversation as evidence before reporting. This is useful if you need to involve law enforcement.
• Report spam messages: If you receive a message from an unknown number that looks like spam (e.g., “You’ve won a prize�), report it and then delete the chat.
• Use the “Report� option for groups: If a group is sending spam or abusive content, you can report the group itself by opening the group info and scrolling to “Report Group.�
• Keep the app updated: WhatsApp occasionally changes menu layouts, so an updated app ensures you see the current options.

Troubleshooting

• “Report� option not appearing: If you long-press a message and don’t see “Report� in the menu, make sure you are pressing the correct icon (three dots on Android, “More� on iPhone). On some devices, the “Report� option is under “More.�
• No internet connection: Reporting requires an active internet connection. If you’re offline, the report will not go through. Check your Wi-Fi or cellular data and try again.
• App glitches: If the app freezes or crashes while reporting, close WhatsApp completely and reopen it. The message should still be there unless you deleted it. If not, you may need to restart your phone.
• Reporting a message that was already deleted: If the sender deleted the message before you reported it, you won’t be able to report it because it no longer exists on your device. You can still report the contact or chat for other messages.
• Need to report a group but can’t find the option: Open the group chat, tap the group name at the top to open the group info page, scroll to the bottom, and tap “Report Group.� If you don’t see it, update the app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does WhatsApp tell the person I reported them?

No. WhatsApp does not notify the person that you reported them. The report is anonymous.

What happens after I report a message?

WhatsApp’s moderation team reviews the report. If the content violates their Terms of Service, they may ban the account or take other action. You won’t receive a status update.

Can I report a message without blocking the sender?

Yes, reporting and blocking are separate actions. You can report without blocking, but blocking is recommended to stop further messages.

Will my report be seen by the sender?

No. The sender has no way of knowing that you reported them. They will only see the consequences if WhatsApp takes action, like a ban.

Can I report a message from a deleted chat?

No. Once a chat is deleted, the messages are gone from your device and cannot be reported. You must report before deleting.

Is reporting a message the same as reporting a user?

Not exactly. Reporting a message flags that specific content. Reporting a contact or group flags the entire account or group. For severe violations, it’s often better to report the whole contact or group.

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