How to Use Chat Lock on WhatsApp

Maintaining the privacy and security of our conversations has become increasingly important. To address these concerns, WhatsApp, a popular messaging platform owned by Meta, has introduced a new feature called Chat Lock. This feature allows users to lock their chats with a fingerprint, adding an extra layer of protection to their private conversations. In this article, we will guide you through the process of using Chat Lock on WhatsApp, step by step, ensuring that your conversations remain secure and confidential.

The Chat Lock feature on WhatsApp is a privacy-enhancing functionality introduced by Meta. It allows users to lock specific chats with a fingerprint, ensuring an additional layer of protection for sensitive or confidential conversations. Locked chats are moved to a hidden folder called “Locked chats,” making them inaccessible from the main “Chats” screen. To view and interact with locked chats, users must authenticate using their registered fingerprint.

Also, notifications from locked chats still appear in the device's notification tray but do not display sender names or message content, preserving privacy. With Chat Lock, users can maintain the security and confidentiality of their conversations on WhatsApp.

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Below, we will walk you through the simple steps required to get, use and manage the Chat Lock feature, empowering you to take control of your privacy on WhatsApp.

How to Get the “Chat Lock” Feature on WhatsApp

To begin using the Chat Lock feature, you need to update your WhatsApp application or enrol on the WhatsApp Beta testing program (if necessary).

Visit your device's app store and search for WhatsApp. If an update is available, click on the “Update” button to install it. However, the Chat Lock feature is still new and may not be available after updating the app because it has not yet been rolled out to all users. To jump the queue, you need to join the Beta testing program.

If you would like to join the WhatsApp Beta testing program and install “WhatsApp Beta” for your device, follow this guideline.

How to Use the WhatsApp Chat Lock Feature

Once you have updated WhatsApp or you have the Beta version, follow these steps to lock a chat:

Launch the WhatsApp application on your Android or iOS device.
Tap on the “Chats” tab located at the bottom of the screen. Here, you will find a list of your recent conversations.
Choose the chat you want to lock from the list. This can be an individual or group chat.
Select the menu icon on the top-right side of the screen and tap on the “View contact” option to view the details of the selected chat.
Scroll down within the contact details page until you find the “Chat lock” option. It will be positioned below the “Disappearing messages” option.
Find the “Chat lock” option.
Tap on the “Chat lock” option to proceed to the next screen. Here, you will find the “Lock this chat with fingerprint” option. Activate it to enable Chat Lock for the selected chat.
Enable the “Lock this chat with fingerprint” option.

How to Manage Locked Chats

After enabling Chat Lock, the chat will be moved to a separate folder named “Locked chats,” which is hidden from the main “Chats” screen. To access and manage your locked chats, follow these steps:

To find the “Locked chats” folder, drag the main “Chats” screen downward. This will reveal the hidden folder.
Tap on the “Locked chats” folder and authenticate using your registered fingerprint to view your locked conversations. Here, you will find all the chats you have locked for enhanced privacy.
Tap on the “Locked chats” folder.
To open a locked chat, simply tap on it from this folder and continue your conversation with the user.
Select a locked chat to open.

How are Notifications Handled for Locked Chats

While locked chats provide an additional layer of privacy, it's essential to understand how notifications are handled for these chats.

Notifications from locked chats will still appear in your device's notification tray. However, these notifications won't display the name of the sender or the content of the message they sent. This ensures that even if someone else has access to your device's notifications, they won't be able to see any details about your locked chats.

Conclusion

The Chat Lock feature on WhatsApp offers a valuable solution for users concerned about the privacy and security of their conversations. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily enable Chat Lock, lock specific chats, and manage your locked conversations. With Chat Lock, you can have peace of mind, knowing that your private chats are shielded from prying eyes. Update your WhatsApp today and take advantage of this powerful privacy feature.