Image: WhatsApp
WhatsApp introduced a new feature this week – Chat Lock. The feature was borne out of society’s relentless pursuit for safety and privacy, the developers said.
The new feature provides an extra layer of security to your most sensitive WhatsApp conversations. Here’s how it works.
Chat Lock moves your chosen conversation thread from the inbox to its own secure folder where access to the messages will be restricted.
The access to this folder is uniquely tied to your device password or biometric data, such as a fingerprint.
Furthermore, the extra layer of security also ensures the contents of these chats remain hidden in notifications for added privacy.
This means if you get notifications for WhatsApp messages in your Notifications Bar, secure messages won’t be shown.
The WhatsApp developers team said this feature is particularly beneficial for those who occasionally share their phones with a family member.
It might even get you out of a tight pinch when someone is standing near you or looking at your phone when a sensitive chat arrives.
The feature is currently being rolled out so it might not be available to some users yet. Remember to update your app.
To activate, simply tap the name of an individual or group chat to open the user profile and select the lock option.
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If the feature is available for you to use, it will be under the Disappearing Messages setting and above the Create Group (or Groups in Common) setting.
To access these locked chats, gently pull down on your inbox and enter your phone’s password or use biometric authentication.
Over the forthcoming months, WhatsApp developers plan to roll out additional features.
Upcoming capabilities will include locking messages on companion devices, as well as the option of creating a custom password for your chats.
This means you’ll be able to set a unique password for your chats, distinct from your device password.
WATCH: Chat on WhatsApp in secret! Here’s how to hide when you’re online
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