WhatsApp introduced the Chat Lock feature last year, allowing users to secure their chats in a hidden folder accessible only through passcodes, fingerprints, or face ID. The messaging aim launched is to bolster security and privacy on the platform.
Now, reports suggest that WhatsApp is planning to expand the Chat Lock functionality to linked devices, with a future update expected to introduce this feature.
Beta Version Preview of Locked Chats
According to WhatsApp features tracker WABetaInfo, the company is actively developing a locked chats feature for linked devices, as observed in the WhatsApp for Android beta version 2.24.8.4. Although the feature is not yet available for testing, the latest beta update provided a glimpse of its functionality.
Users will be able to set up secret codes on their primary devices to access chats on linked devices, enhancing privacy across multiple platforms.
Primary Device Limitation
Initially, WhatsApp's Chat Lock feature was limited to primary devices when it was launched in May 2023. It empowered users with greater control over personal and group chats by hiding sender names and message previews in locked chats. Access to these conversations was restricted to authorized users via passcodes, fingerprints, or face ID.
Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, continues to introduce new features and enhancements through beta releases. Among the upcoming features is the ability to conduct international payments using WhatsApp's in-app Unified Payments Interface (UPI) service, per Mashable. Additionally, WhatsApp for Android is expected to receive an update allowing users to adjust the upload quality of images and videos directly through Settings.
Chat Lock Feature
On both Android and iPhone devices, users can activate the chat lock feature to add an extra layer of privacy to specific conversations. To unlock locked chats, users must authenticate themselves through device authentication methods such as passcodes, Face ID, fingerprints, or secret codes. Locked chats are kept separate from other chats in a designated folder, ensuring privacy and security.
Here are the additional information about this feature.
- Notifications for locked chats conceal sender names and message previews, displaying only the message count.
- Media privacy is maintained by disabling media saving to the phone's gallery when the chat lock is enabled.
- Group chats and muted chats can also be locked for added privacy.
- Locked chats remain secured even during backup and restore processes on WhatsApp.
- The person you're chatting with won't be notified when you lock a chat.
- Users can choose to hide the Locked Chats folder by setting up a secret code.
How to Enable Chat Lock
To activate chat lock, follow these steps, according to WhatSapp FAQ support.
- Swipe left or long press on the chat you wish to lock.
- Tap on "Lock Chat."
- Choose "Lock this chat with fingerprint" or "Lock This Chat with Face ID."
