WhatsApp Bolsters Privacy with Enhanced Chat Lock Feature

WhatsApp is rolling out an enhanced version of its Chat Lock feature, providing users with even greater control over their message privacy. This update, announced on April 23, 2025, introduces advanced security measures designed to keep sensitive conversations away from prying eyes. The key addition is the ability to set a custom password that is different from your phone’s unlock password. This means even if someone has access to your unlocked device, your locked chats remain protected behind an additional layer of security.

The original Chat Lock, launched last year, allowed users to move specific conversations to a hidden folder accessible only with biometric authentication or a device passcode. This latest iteration takes it a step further by enabling a unique password specifically for these locked chats. This is particularly useful in scenarios where you share your device with family or friends, or if you’re concerned about someone guessing your phone’s passcode.

According to WhatsApp’s official announcement, the update is focused on providing users with “peace of mind knowing that their most personal conversations are protected.” They emphasized that the new password feature adds a crucial layer of defense against unauthorized access.

Beyond the custom password option, WhatsApp is also introducing new features to enhance the overall user experience of Chat Lock. This includes the ability to hide the ‘Locked Chats’ folder from the main chat list, adding an extra layer of obscurity. Users can reveal the folder by typing the secret password into the search bar. This ensures that even the presence of locked chats remains discreet.

The company has been steadily investing in privacy features over the past few years, including disappearing messages, end-to-end encryption, and screenshot blocking for view-once messages. These efforts are aimed at positioning WhatsApp as a leader in secure messaging, especially as competition intensifies from other encrypted messaging apps like Signal and Telegram.

These new features are rolling out globally to all WhatsApp users on both iOS and Android platforms over the coming weeks. To enable the enhanced Chat Lock, users will need to update to the latest version of the app through their respective app stores.