Chat lock moves a private chat into a Locked chats folder that opens only with your fingerprint, face or phone passcode. Notifications from it hide the name and message.
On Android
- On the chat list, press and hold the chat you want to lock.
- Tap ⋮ › Lock chat.
- Confirm with your fingerprint or phone screen lock.
You can also open the chat, tap the name at the top and tap Chat lock.
On iPhone
- On the chat list, swipe the chat to the left and tap More, or press and hold it.
- Tap Lock Chat.
- Confirm with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode.
Open your locked chats
- On the chat list, pull the list down (or scroll to the top) and tap Locked chats.
- Unlock with your fingerprint, face or passcode.
- When you lock your phone, the locked chat closes by itself.
Hide the folder with a secret code
- Open Locked chats and tap ⋮ › Chat lock settings (iPhone: the settings icon).
- Tap Secret code and create a word or emoji code different from your phone lock.
- Turn on Hide locked chats. The folder then disappears from the list; type your secret code in the search bar to open it.
Unlock a chat
Open Locked chats, press and hold (Android) or swipe (iPhone) the chat and tap Unlock chat.
Chat lock vs App lock
Chat lock protects chosen chats only. App lock asks for your fingerprint or face to open WhatsApp at all: Android Settings › Privacy › App lock; iPhone Settings › Privacy › Screen Lock.
If it doesn't work
- No "Lock chat" option: set up a fingerprint, face or screen lock on your phone first, and update WhatsApp.
- Notifications show only "WhatsApp": that is normal for locked chats; it keeps them private.
- Forgot the secret code: you can still open the folder with your phone's lock and set a new code.
- Chat lock works on your phone; on linked devices (WhatsApp Web) locked chats may still be visible unless your version supports locking there too.
Safety tip
Don't share your phone's screen lock with others. Anyone who knows it can open your locked chats.
This is GroupChatOn’s own easy guide. We are not WhatsApp and are not linked with WhatsApp or Meta. WhatsApp sometimes changes its menus: if a button looks different on your phone, update WhatsApp from the Play Store or App Store.
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