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

WhatsApp is rolling out a new secret code feature for locked chats. Earlier this year, the company introduced the Chat Lock feature, which has now been expanded and allows users to hide their locked chats behind a secret code. This means that if you are giving your phone to a friend or your phone falls into someone’s hands, no one will be able to read your private chats. You can also protect your chats with your phone’s PIN or passcode or by scanning it with your face or fingerprint. Let’s know about this feature of WhatsApp.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Thursday rolled out a new secret code for the Chat Lock feature, which allows users to lock a chat behind a password or phrase. Chats hidden behind the secret code will not appear in the main chat list and can only be accessed by entering the secret code, adding another layer of security to the messaging platform.

Gadgets 360 tested this feature on the beta version of the app for Android smartphones. After opening the list of locked chats and tapping the three-dot menu at the top > Chat lock settings > toggling to hide locked chats and entering a secret code that is easy to remember, your locked chats will no longer be visible in the main chat window. Currently, WhatsApp shows a shortcut to locked chats when you swipe down on the chat screen, which users can access using their fingerprint or Face ID.

After setting a secret code, there is only one way to view or show your locked chats on WhatsApp, you need to enter the same secret code in the search bar on the app. This will show the chats protected by the Chat Lock feature, but only when you leave the app.

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

WhatsApp also says that you don’t have to enter individual chat settings to lock a chat. You can simply long-press the chat to lock it. The secret code feature has been rolled out to users, it will be available globally in the coming months. However, there is no information on when or if it will be rolled out to WhatsApp desktop.