If you share your smartphone with family members or friends, securing your confidential chats from prying eyes is vital. WhatsApp includes two layers of biometric and passcode protection: App Lock and Locked Chats with Secret Codes.
Here is how to set up both security features on Android and iPhone.
Layer 1: Lock Individual Chats (WhatsApp Chat Lock)
Chat Lock moves selected conversations into a hidden folder accessible only via your fingerprint, Face ID, or a custom secret password.
How to Lock a Specific Chat:
- Open WhatsApp and open the individual or group chat you want to secure.
- Tap the Contact Name or Group Name at the very top.
- Scroll down and tap Chat Lock.
- Toggle Lock this chat with fingerprint / Face ID to ON.
- Confirm with your biometric scan.
How to Hide the "Locked Chats" Folder With a Secret Code:
- On your main chat list, swipe down to reveal the Locked Chats folder.
- Tap Locked Chats and authenticate.
- Tap Settings (or the three dots in the top right).
- Tap Secret Code > Create Secret Code.
- Enter a secret word or emoji combination (e.g.,
Secret#2026). - Turn on Hide locked chats. The folder will disappear from your chat list completely.
- To access locked chats later, type your Secret Code directly into WhatsApp's top search bar!
Layer 2: Lock the Entire WhatsApp Application
To lock the entire app every time you close it:
On iPhone:
- Go to WhatsApp Settings > Privacy > Screen Lock.
- Toggle Require Face ID / Require Touch ID to ON.
- Choose Immediately.
On Android:
- Go to WhatsApp Settings > Privacy > App Lock (or Fingerprint Lock).
- Toggle Unlock with biometric to ON.
- Set Automatically lock to Immediately.
