WhatsApp may soon let you access locked chats on linked devices

WhatsApp launched the chat lock feature last year. This feature allows users to place chats in a hidden folder that can only be accessed via a security passcode, fingerprint, or Face ID. Meta launched this feature to improve the security and privacy protection of WhatsApp. Now, the social media giant is reportedly looking to extend the chat lock feature to linked devices. A future update of WhatsApp is said to bring the feature to linked devices. This update has been spotted in WhatsApp beta version 2.24.8.4 for Android.

WhatsApp has tracker WABetaInfo claim WhatsApp is working on a locked chat feature for linked devices and will make it available in a future update. The publication discovered references to upcoming features in the latest WhatsApp Beta of Android 2.24.8.4 update, which is available through the Google Play Beta program.

The rumored locked chat feature isn’t available to testers right now, but the report includes a preview of the feature. According to the screenshots shared, the app will allow users to set a password to access chats on linked devices. You need to set a password by going to Chat Lock Settings > Password option from your main device.

As mentioned earlier, WhatsApp launched a new chat lock feature in May 2023, which is currently limited to major devices. It provides users with more control over their personal and group chats. Notifications from locked chats display neither the sender’s name nor a preview of the message. Users can view these hidden conversations in a separate locked chat folder that can only be accessed via password, fingerprint, and Face ID.

Meta’s developers are constantly introducing new and upcoming features to WhatsApp through the beta channel. The company is reportedly working on enabling international payments through its in-app Unified Payments Interface (UPI) service. Additionally, WhatsApp for Android is reportedly launching a new feature that allows you to set the upload quality of images and videos directly through Settings.