WhatsApp has recently rolled out a new feature that enables users to lock specific chats with a password or biometric authentication. This addition provides an extra layer of privacy, ensuring that even if someone gains access to a user’s phone, the locked conversations remain confidential.
While WhatsApp already offers the option to lock the entire app using biometrics or a PIN code, this latest feature allows users to secure individual private messages. The locked chats are stored in a separate folder, and their content and sender’s name are hidden in the notification until authenticated.
The popular messaging platform already boasts a range of security and privacy-centric features, including end-to-end encryption, encrypted chat backup, disappearing messages, screenshot blocking, and control over the last seen status. With the introduction of this new update, Meta aims to further enhance WhatsApp’s privacy and security offerings.
To make use of the chat lock feature, users need to download or update WhatsApp to the latest version on their Android or iOS devices.
Once updated, they can follow these simple steps to lock a specific chat:
- Open WhatsApp and navigate to the chat you wish to lock.
- Tap on the profile picture of the contact or group.
- Look for the “chat lock” option, located below the disappearing message menu.
- Enable the chat lock feature and authenticate using your phone password or biometrics.
Accessing locked chats is just as straightforward:
- Swipe down on the WhatsApp home page to reveal all locked chats.
- Tap on the desired chat to access its contents.
With this new feature, WhatsApp users can now have greater control over the privacy and security of their conversations. Whether it’s personal or sensitive information, the chat lock feature provides peace of mind, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access these private messages.
Ensure you have the latest version of WhatsApp installed and take advantage of this valuable addition to protect your confidential conversations.
