WhatsApp’s Chat Lock Feature Might Soon Extend to Linked Devices

WhatsApp released the Chat Lock feature last year. This feature let users place their chats in a hidden folder that can be only accessed via secured passcodes, fingerprints or face ID. Meta unveiled this feature to improve the security and privacy protection on WhatsApp. Now, the social media giant is reportedly looking to extend the Chat Lock functionality to linked devices. A future update of WhatsApp is said to bring the feature for linked devices. This update has been spotted in WhatsApp for Android beta version 2.24.8.4.

WhatsApp features tracker WABetaInfo claimed that WhatsApp is working on a locked chats feature for linked devices and it will be available in a future update. The publication has spotted a reference about the upcoming feature in the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.8.4 update that is available via the Google Play Beta programme.

The rumoured locked chats feature is not available for testers now but the report included a preview of the functionality. As per the shared screenshot, the app will allow users to set up secret codes to access chats on linked devices. The secret code will need to be set up from the primary device by heading to Chat Lock Settings>Secret Code option.

As mentioned, WhatsApp rolled out a new Chat Lock feature in May 2023 and this feature is currently limited to primary devices. It offers users more control over their personal and group chats. Notifications from the locked chats will neither show the sender’s name, nor the message preview. Users can view these hidden conversations in a separate locked chat folder that can only be accessed via a passcode, fingerprint, and face ID.

Meta’s developers are constantly rolling out new and upcoming features to WhatsApp through the beta channel. It is reportedly working on enabling international payments via its in-app Unified Payments Interface (UPI) service. Further, WhatsApp for Android is reportedly getting a new feature to set the upload quality of images and videos directly via Settings.


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WhatsApp Rolls Out Secret Code Feature for Locked Chats on iOS and Android: How it Works

WhatsApp is rolling out a new Secret Code feature for locked chats. The Chat Lock feature announced by the company earlier this year has now been extended and allows you to hide your locked chats behind a secret code. As a result, you can hide your sensitive conversations with other users from view when you’re passing your phone to a friend, or if your phone falls into the wrong hands. Alternatively, you can continue to protect your chats with your phone’s PIN or passcode, or by scanning your face or fingerprint.

On Thursday, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the rollout of the new Secret Code for Chat Lock feature that lets you select a chat and lock it behind a password or a phrase. Chats hidden behind a secret code will not be visible in the main chat list and can only be accessed when the secret code is entered, adding another layer of safety to the messaging platform.

The new Secret Code setting on WhatsApp

 

Gadgets 360 was able to test out the feature on the beta version of the app for Android smartphones. After you open the list of locked chats and tap the three-dot menu at the top > Chat lock settings > toggle Hide locked chats and enter a secret code that you can remember easily, your locked chats will no longer be visible in the main chat window — currently, WhatsApp shows a shortcut for locked chats when swiping down on the chat screen — these can be accessed using your fingerprint or Face ID.

After you’ve set a secret code, there’s only one way to reveal your locked chats on WhatsApp — you must enter the same secret code in the search bar on the app. This will show conversations protected by the Chat Lock feature, but only until you exit the app.

If you don’t need to hide the presence of your chats on WhatsApp, you can revert back to the original Chat Lock feature by opening the list of locked chats using your secret code, then tapping on the three-dot menu > Chat lock settings > toggle Hide locked chats off to disable the Secret Code feature.

WhatsApp also says that you won’t have to enter individual chat settings to lock a chat — you can simply long press a chat to lock it. While the secret code feature has begun rolling out to users, it will be available globally in the coming months. There’s no word on when — or whether — WhatsApp will bring the secret code feature to WhatsApp for Desktop.


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WhatsApp May Soon Let You Lock Individual Chats, Suggests Android Beta Update

WhatsApp is reportedly working on a new feature that would give users more control over sensitive conversations. The Meta-owned instant messaging app could soon allow users to lock specific chats using their fingerprint or passcode. The lock functionality would make it easier for users to ensure privacy. Currently, the entire app can be locked on the smartphone using face ID, fingerprint, or a passcode. The new feature has been spotted in WhatsApp for Android beta v2.23.8.2, which is available via the Google Play Beta programme. However, it is not yet available to testers.

As per a report by WhatsApp features tracker WABetaInfo, the instant messaging platform is developing a new feature that will allow users to lock individual chats using their fingerprint or passcode. WhatsApp is said to be rolling out the feature via the Google Play Beta Programme, with v2.23.8.2 beta for Android. It is not visible to beta testers yet.

Once released, this feature will let users lock and hide their private chats from others. Instead of locking the entire app, users can lock specific chats to keep sensitive conversations safe from prying eyes. Also, media files such as photos and videos sent in a locked chat won’t be saved in the device gallery automatically. The report includes a screenshot showing the new privacy setting feature.

In the screenshots, the locked chats are shown in a separate section, similar to Archives. Once a chat is locked, it can only be accessed using the user’s fingerprint or passcode. In case someone tries to open these locked chats on WhatsApp and fails the authentication, then they will be reportedly prompted to clear the chat to open it.

WhatsApp is said to be working on this functionality and it is likely to be available in a future update. It may also get updated before the final release.

Recently, WhatsApp was found working on a text editing feature for select beta testers along with the Android 2.23.7.17 update. It will help users to edit images, videos, and GIFs by using new tools and fonts offered with the new feature. It is also looking to release a dedicated Audio Chat feature.


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