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# WhatsApp Locked Chats: Complete Guide for iPhone, Android and WhatsApp Web
Updated: September 2026
WhatsApp’s Chat Lock lets you put selected conversations behind an extra layer of authentication. A locked conversation is removed from the normal inbox and placed in a separate Locked Chats folder. Its sender and message preview are also concealed in notifications, which appear only as “WhatsApp: 1 new message”. You can lock one-to-one conversations, groups and muted chats.
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The feature is useful when you occasionally lend someone your phone, share a family tablet or leave WhatsApp Web open on a computer. However, it is important to understand what it does not do. Chat Lock does not block the other person, stop calls, prevent ordinary screenshots, erase messages or make WhatsApp’s existing encryption stronger. It mainly controls who can open a selected conversation on your devices.
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Quick answer
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>Android: Long-press a conversation, open the menu and choose Lock chat. Confirm using the phone’s fingerprint, face recognition or screen lock.
>iPhone: Press and hold the conversation, choose Lock Chat, then confirm with Face ID, Touch ID or the iPhone passcode.
>Secret Code: Create a separate word, phrase or code inside Locked Chats settings. This lets you hide the Locked Chats folder completely.
>WhatsApp Web: Current official guidance says supported web sessions can lock and unlock chats. A Secret Code must first be created on the primary Android phone or iPhone.
>Linked phones: Supported companion Android phones and iPhones also preserve the locked state, but opening locked chats on another device requires a Secret Code created on the primary phone.
>Mac: WhatsApp’s current Help Center says Chat Lock is not supported in the WhatsApp for Mac app.
[5]
What is Chat Lock?
Chat Lock is a privacy feature for individual WhatsApp conversations. When enabled, it takes the selected thread out of the ordinary Chats list and moves it into a protected folder. To read old messages or send new ones from that thread, you must pass the authentication requested by WhatsApp.
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On a primary phone, that authentication may be the device passcode, Face ID, Touch ID, an Android fingerprint or another device-authentication method supported by the phone. WhatsApp also offers a Secret Code that can be different from the passcode used to unlock the handset.
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WhatsApp introduced Chat Lock in May 2023. Secret Code followed in November 2023, adding the ability to give locked conversations a separate credential and hide the folder from the main chat list. WhatsApp has since expanded support to certain linked Android and iPhone devices and WhatsApp Web.
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What happens when a chat is locked?
The effects are designed to reduce accidental exposure rather than change how the conversation works for its participants.
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>The conversation leaves the normal inbox and appears inside Locked Chats.
>Opening it requires device authentication or the Secret Code, depending on the device and configuration.
>Notifications conceal both the contact information and message content. The alert is shown generically as “WhatsApp: 1 new message”.
>The other person or group members are not told that you locked the chat.
>The conversation can continue receiving messages.
>Calls are not locked or blocked; a call from that person or group can still appear normally.
>Locked chats remain end-to-end encrypted, just like other personal WhatsApp conversations.
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WhatsApp also says locked chats close when the device itself is locked. That is useful on WhatsApp Web because returning to a locked computer should not leave a protected conversation standing open.
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Chat Lock versus Secret Code
These two terms are connected, but they do not mean the same thing.
| Feature | What it does | What you use |
|---|---|---|
| Chat Lock | Moves selected chats into a protected folder and conceals notification previews | Device authentication or Secret Code |
| Secret Code | Adds a separate credential for locked chats and enables the folder to be hidden | A unique code, word or phrase created in WhatsApp |
| Hide Locked Chats | Removes the Locked Chats folder from the chat list | Enter the Secret Code into WhatsApp Search to reveal it |
Without the hide option, someone using your unlocked WhatsApp may see that a Locked Chats folder exists, although they should not be able to open it without authentication. With Hide Locked Chats switched on, the folder is absent from the list and appears only when the correct Secret Code is typed into Search.
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How to lock a chat on Android
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>Open WhatsApp and select the Chats tab.
>Press and hold the individual or group conversation you want to protect.
>Tap the menu or lock option shown at the top of the screen.
>Choose Lock chat.
>Confirm with the requested fingerprint, face unlock or phone screen lock.
You can use the same method for a normal one-to-one conversation, a group or a muted chat. If Android device authentication has not yet been configured, WhatsApp will ask you to set it up before the conversation can be locked.
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Menu wording and placement can vary slightly with the WhatsApp version, handset manufacturer and language. WhatsApp notes that the feature may be labelled Chat lock or Chat block in some languages.
[1]
Alternative Android route
On versions where the long-press option is not obvious, open the conversation, tap the contact or group name at the top and look for Chat lock in the information screen. Update WhatsApp through Google Play if the option is still missing; WhatsApp’s general troubleshooting advice is to use the latest available app version.
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How to find locked chats on Android
If the folder has not been hidden:
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>Open the Chats tab.
>Pull down or scroll down on the chat list until Locked Chats appears.
>Tap the folder.
>Authenticate with the requested fingerprint or other device method.
>Tap a conversation to read or send messages.
If Hide Locked Chats is enabled, the folder will not appear no matter how far you scroll. Tap Search, enter the exact Secret Code and select Locked Chats when it appears.
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How to unlock a chat on Android
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>Open Locked Chats, either from the chat list or by entering your Secret Code into Search.
>Authenticate if requested.
>Press and hold the chat you want to return to the normal inbox.
>Open the menu and choose Unlock chat.
>Confirm using your device authentication.
Unlocking a conversation removes its extra Chat Lock protection. It does not delete the conversation, notify the other participants or block future messages.
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How to lock a chat on iPhone
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>Open WhatsApp and go to Chats.
>Press and hold the individual or group conversation.
>Choose Lock Chat from the menu.
>Approve the request with Face ID, Touch ID or the iPhone passcode.
As on Android, you can also open the conversation, tap the person or group name and use the Chat Lock option in the information screen where available. The feature supports one-to-one, group and muted conversations.
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If WhatsApp cannot use Face ID or Touch ID, check that a passcode and biometrics are enabled in iOS and allowed for WhatsApp. Chat Lock needs device authentication to be configured before the first chat can be protected.
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How to find locked chats on iPhone
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>Open the Chats tab.
>Slowly pull down on the conversation list.
>Tap Locked Chats.
>Use Face ID, Touch ID, the device passcode or the requested Secret Code.
If you deliberately hid the folder, type the Secret Code into the Search field instead. The code is effectively the discovery mechanism: typing an ordinary contact name should not expose a hidden Locked Chats folder.
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How to unlock a chat on iPhone
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>Open the protected folder or reveal it through Search.
>Authenticate.
>Press and hold the conversation.
>Select Unlock Chat.
>Confirm with Face ID, Touch ID or the requested credential.
You can alternatively open the chat information screen and turn Chat Lock off. Once unlocked, the conversation returns to the ordinary chat list and normal notification behaviour may resume.
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How to create a Secret Code
A Secret Code can be different from your phone passcode. It is particularly important if somebody else knows the device PIN, and it is required to open protected chats on supported linked devices and WhatsApp Web.
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>Open WhatsApp on the primary Android phone or iPhone.
>Open the Locked Chats folder.
>Open Settings inside that folder.
>Tap Secret Code.
>Tap Create Secret Code.
>Enter the code and tap Next.
>Enter it again to confirm and tap Done.
Choose something that is memorable to you but difficult for anyone else to guess. Avoid the handset PIN, a child’s name, a partner’s name, a birthday or a code reused elsewhere. Remember that typing the code into the WhatsApp search box can expose it to anyone watching your screen or recording your keystrokes.
Change or remove the Secret Code
Open Locked Chats > Settings > Secret Code. From there you can change the credential or turn it off. WhatsApp’s current instructions require Secret Code creation and management to be completed on the primary Android phone or iPhone rather than in WhatsApp Web.
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How to hide Locked Chats
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>First create a Secret Code.
>Open the Locked Chats folder.
>Open its Settings.
>Turn on Hide Locked Chats.
The folder will disappear from the chat list. To retrieve it, tap WhatsApp’s Search bar, type the Secret Code and open the Locked Chats result. The screenshot below shows the expected result: unlike Archived, the Locked Chats row is absent while hiding is enabled.
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WhatsApp Web support
This is the area where older online instructions are most likely to be wrong. Early versions of Chat Lock protected only the primary phone, and articles from the 2023–2024 rollout may still say locked conversations remain visible on linked devices. Current WhatsApp guidance says Chat Lock is now supported on certain linked devices, including Android, iPhone and WhatsApp Web.
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On supported WhatsApp Web sessions, you can lock any conversation, including a group or muted chat. If no Secret Code exists, WhatsApp will prompt you to create one on the primary phone.
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Lock a conversation on WhatsApp Web
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>Open web.whatsapp.com and sign in to the correct linked account.
>Right-click the individual or group chat.
>Click Lock chat.
>If prompted, create the Secret Code on your primary phone.
To remove the lock, right-click the chat again and select Unlock chat. Other people in the conversation are not notified. Calls from a locked contact are not blocked.
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Open locked chats on WhatsApp Web
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>Click Locked chats.
>Enter the Secret Code created on the primary phone.
>Click Continue.
>Select the conversation.
If the folder is hidden, click Search, type the Secret Code and choose Locked chats. Hiding or unhiding the folder must be managed from the primary Android phone or iPhone.
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Add App Lock to WhatsApp Web
Chat Lock protects selected conversations. For a shared computer, it is sensible to protect the entire web session as well. Go to WhatsApp Web > Settings > Privacy > App lock, create a password of 6–128 characters and choose an automatic lock time of one minute, 15 minutes or one hour. When App Lock is active, WhatsApp Web suppresses notifications while the app is locked.
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You can manually lock the web app from its menu. The official keyboard shortcuts are Cmd + Ctrl + L on Mac and Ctrl + Alt + L on Windows.
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Windows and Mac apps
Do not assume that WhatsApp Web and the native desktop applications have identical support. WhatsApp’s platform selector separates Web, Windows and Mac, and its current Mac Help Center page says Chat Lock is not supported on WhatsApp for Mac.
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Feature availability can change by app version and rollout. If the native Windows or Mac app does not show Locked Chats or the lock command, do not treat that linked computer as fully protected. Check for a banner on the phone warning that a linked device does not support locked chats, update every WhatsApp installation and review Settings > Linked Devices on the phone.
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For predictable browser-based protection, use the current version of WhatsApp Web in Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera or Safari. WhatsApp says older browsers, including Internet Explorer, are unsupported.
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Linked phones and tablets
WhatsApp supports up to four linked devices in addition to the primary phone. Supported linked Android phones and iPhones preserve the locked status of protected chats, but the Secret Code must be created on the primary phone before those chats can be opened elsewhere.
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If a linked platform does not support Chat Lock, WhatsApp says a banner should appear in the app. Treat that warning seriously: review the linked-device list and sign out any session that is old, shared or unrecognised. WhatsApp automatically disconnects linked devices after 30 days of inactivity, while its linking guidance also says the primary phone should connect every 14 days to keep devices logged in.
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Notifications and calls
For incoming messages, Chat Lock hides the contact and preview. Instead of showing the sender and text, the notification should say only “WhatsApp: 1 new message”. This is one of the feature’s most useful protections when somebody else can see the lock screen or a notification banner.
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Calls are different. WhatsApp explicitly states that calls are not locked, so a call from the contact—or activity associated with a group call—can still appear. Chat Lock should therefore not be treated as a way to conceal the existence of all contact with a person.
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Review the operating system’s notification settings as well. Notification mirroring to a smartwatch, car display, computer or another device may create additional exposure outside the WhatsApp interface, even when message text is suppressed.
Photos, videos and files
WhatsApp says that, to help keep media private, Chat Lock must be turned off before media from a locked chat can be saved to the phone’s gallery. This prevents the obvious privacy failure of protecting a thread while leaving its pictures visible in Apple Photos or an Android gallery.
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Do not confuse this with the global media settings. On Android, Settings > Chats > Media visibility controls whether downloaded WhatsApp media generally appears in the device gallery. Individual chats can also have their own Media visibility choice.
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Previously saved copies are a separate matter. Locking a conversation should not be assumed to remove media that was already exported, downloaded, backed up, forwarded or saved by another app. Check Photos, Gallery, Downloads, cloud photo backups and any shared albums if historical copies are sensitive.
Does Chat Lock stop screenshots?
No. Chat Lock is an access barrier for the conversation; it is not a screenshot-protection system for ordinary messages. Once somebody legitimately opens the conversation, they can still photograph the screen with another device, and normal chat content should be treated as copyable.
WhatsApp’s separate View Once feature blocks recipients from taking a normal screenshot of View Once photos and videos and stops those items being forwarded, saved, starred or shared. Even that cannot stop somebody using a second camera to photograph the screen.
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Backups and moving phones
If WhatsApp is backed up and restored to a new phone, locked conversations remain locked. Device authentication must be configured on the replacement handset before they can be accessed.
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Chat Lock itself does not replace backup encryption. WhatsApp offers optional end-to-end encrypted backups, protected using a passkey, password or 64-digit encryption key. Without that extra setting, the security model for the cloud backup differs from the live end-to-end encrypted chat service.
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On iPhone, WhatsApp can back up messages and media to iCloud. WhatsApp warns that the password or encryption key for an end-to-end encrypted backup may be the only way to restore it, so it must be stored safely.
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If you forget the Secret Code
This is the most important warning in the guide. WhatsApp provides an Unlock and clear locked chats recovery option, but it is destructive. It returns every locked conversation to the normal list and removes the Secret Code, while also clearing the messages, photos and videos contained in those locked chats.
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>On the primary phone, open WhatsApp Settings.
>Tap Privacy.
>Tap Chat Lock.
>Choose Unlock and clear locked chats.
>Read the warning carefully before confirming.
A previous backup may restore content only if that backup was created before the chats were cleared. Anything received after the most recent usable backup can be lost. Do not use this option merely to save time searching for a forgotten code.
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Chat Lock is not encryption
Personal WhatsApp messages, calls, photos, videos, voice messages, documents and live locations are protected by end-to-end encryption during normal messaging. Chat Lock sits above that as a local privacy control: it helps stop a person using your device or linked session from casually opening selected threads.
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In simple terms, encryption protects the conversation while it travels and is handled by participants’ devices; Chat Lock adds a door in front of the local conversation view. Turning Chat Lock on does not give the underlying messages a “stronger” encryption algorithm, and turning it off does not remove WhatsApp’s default end-to-end encryption.
Chat Lock versus other tools
| Tool | Main purpose | Stops messages? | Requires authentication? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chat Lock | Protect selected conversations and hide previews | No | Yes |
| Hide Locked Chats | Hide the protected folder itself | No | Secret Code reveals it |
| App Lock | Protect all of WhatsApp or the whole web session | No | Yes |
| Archive | Organise conversations away from the main list | No | No |
| Mute | Reduce notifications | No | No |
| Block | Stop a contact’s messages, calls and status updates | Yes | No |
| Disappearing messages | Remove new messages after a selected duration | No | No |
| View Once | Make selected media or voice messages available once | No | No |
Why Archive is not private
Archiving is an organisation feature. Archived conversations can stay out of the inbox after new messages arrive, and notifications are generally suppressed unless you are mentioned or directly replied to, but the archive is still available without a separate authentication gate.
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Why Block is different
Blocking stops a contact’s new messages, calls and status updates from reaching you. It does not remove the existing conversation from the chat list, and it is not the right tool when you still want to communicate but want local privacy.
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Parents and family safety
Locked Chats can protect legitimate private conversations, but the same feature can also make a young person’s messages harder for a parent or carer to notice. Its presence alone does not prove wrongdoing. Adults also use it for medical discussions, financial matters, surprise gifts, work, relationship support and any conversation they do not want exposed when lending out a phone.
For families, the best response is proportionate and transparent. Explain what the feature does, agree age-appropriate boundaries around private messaging and make sure a child knows how to block and report grooming, threats, sexual pressure, fraud or harassment. Blocking stops further messages and calls, while reporting can provide WhatsApp with recent messages and related account information for review.
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Chat Lock is not parental control. It gives the account user more privacy; it does not give a parent a dashboard, an alert that a chat was locked or remote permission to open protected conversations.
Security recommendations
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>Use a strong phone passcode that children, friends and colleagues do not know.
>Create a Secret Code different from the phone passcode and WhatsApp two-step verification PIN.
>Hide the Locked Chats folder if concealing its existence matters.
>Enable WhatsApp App Lock as a second barrier around the whole app where supported.
>Enable App Lock separately on WhatsApp Web, particularly on a shared computer.
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>Review Settings > Linked Devices regularly and log out anything unrecognised.
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>Turn on two-step verification and add an accurate recovery email. WhatsApp recommends an email because it can help reset the PIN.
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>Keep WhatsApp, the phone operating system and the web browser updated.
>Use end-to-end encrypted backups and store the recovery credential safely.
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>Remember that calls, existing exported media and photographs taken with another device can still expose contact.
Troubleshooting
“Lock Chat” is missing
Update WhatsApp from Google Play or the App Store, close and reopen it, then restart the phone. Make sure a screen lock, Face ID, Touch ID or fingerprint is configured. If the problem is on a linked device, check whether the phone displays an unsupported-device banner.
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The hidden folder will not appear
Enter the exact Secret Code into WhatsApp’s own Search field, not the phone-wide search. Check spaces, emoji, capitalisation and keyboard layout if these formed part of the code. If you genuinely cannot recover it, understand the data-loss warning before considering Unlock and clear locked chats.
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Web asks for a code
Create the Secret Code on the primary Android phone or iPhone. WhatsApp Web cannot create it for you. Then refresh the supported browser session and open Locked Chats again.
[1]
A linked device still shows the chat
Update WhatsApp on both devices and inspect the warning banner on the primary phone. Chat Lock applies only to supported linked platforms; log out an unsupported or untrusted session rather than assuming it is protected.
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WhatsApp Web will not connect
Refresh the page, clear browser cache and cookies, sign out and link it again, restart the computer and test another network. WhatsApp Web supports current releases of Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera and Safari.
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Frequently asked questions
Does the other person know I locked the chat?
No. WhatsApp says the other participants are not notified.
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Can I lock a WhatsApp group?
Yes. Individual, group and muted chats can be locked.
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Can I use a password different from my phone PIN?
Yes. Create a Secret Code inside Locked Chats settings.
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Can I hide the Locked Chats folder?
Yes. Turn on Hide Locked Chats, then reveal the folder by entering the Secret Code into Search.
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Will calls be hidden?
No. Calls from contacts in locked chats are not blocked and can still appear.
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Will message previews be hidden?
Yes. WhatsApp conceals the sender and content, showing a generic new-message alert.
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Can I lock and unlock chats in WhatsApp Web?
Yes, according to current official instructions. Right-click the chat and choose Lock chat or Unlock chat. The Secret Code must be created on the primary phone.
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Does Chat Lock work in WhatsApp for Mac?
WhatsApp’s current Help Center says Chat Lock is not supported in the Mac app. Browser-based WhatsApp Web is documented separately.
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Are locked chats included in backups?
WhatsApp says protected conversations remain locked after backup and restoration to a new phone. Device authentication must be set up before they can be opened.
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Does locking delete media from Photos or Gallery?
Do not assume it removes copies saved before the lock was enabled. WhatsApp says the lock must be turned off to save media from locked chats to the gallery, but existing exported or backed-up files should be checked separately.
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Is the Secret Code the same as the two-step verification PIN?
No. Secret Code opens Locked Chats. The separate six-digit two-step verification PIN protects account registration and is managed under Settings > Account > Two-step verification.
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What happens if I forget the Secret Code?
You can use Unlock and clear locked chats, but this clears the messages and media in every locked chat as well as the code. A backup made before clearing may restore older content; newer content can be lost.
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Final verdict
WhatsApp Chat Lock is a valuable privacy layer for anyone who occasionally hands over an unlocked phone or uses WhatsApp on linked devices. Its strongest setup combines device authentication, a unique Secret Code, a hidden Locked Chats folder and whole-app protection on the phone and WhatsApp Web.
Its limits matter just as much as its benefits. Calls can still appear, the feature does not stop screenshots of ordinary chats, previously saved media may remain elsewhere, and forgetting the Secret Code can lead to a destructive recovery process. Used with a strong handset passcode, two-step verification, encrypted backups and regular linked-device checks, Chat Lock significantly reduces casual access without changing who can message you or the end-to-end encryption already protecting personal WhatsApp conversations.
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