WhatsApp now features an extra security feature you need to be using — enable it now

How To
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Here's how to lock an individual WhatsApp chat, for extra security

The WhatsApp app tile visible on an iPhone screen
(Image credit: Future)

Knowing how to lock individual chats in WhatsApp is important if you're a security conscious type (which you should be). Let's say your left your new Pixel 8 Pro unlocked on a table while chatting, and some nefarious person picked it up while you weren't looking — if all your chats were unlocked, that person would potentially have access to some sensitive stuff.

Locking the WhatsApp chats you don't want others having access to provides an additional layer of security and gives you some extra peace of mind.

How to lock individual chats on WhatsApp

The screenshots below were taken on an iPhone 15 Pro running iOS 17, but the steps should be more or less the same on other phones, including Android devices (there may some slight differences between iOS and Android layouts).

1. Open a chat and tap the contact or group name

(Image: © Future)

Open a WhatsApp chat and tap the contact or group name at the top.

2. Toggle on Lock Chat

(Image: © Future)

Now toggle on Lock Chat.

3. Tap Continue and input passcode

(Image: © Future)

Now tap Continue and, if asked, input your passcode of biometric data.

4. Go to Chats > Locked Chats to see all locked chats

(Image: © Future)

Locked chats are kept separate from normal unlocked chats. To view them, tap Chats in the bottom bar and select Locked Chats at the top.

For more WhatsApp guides, check out our tutorials on how to pin messages in WhatsApp, how to turn off read receipts in WhatsApp, how to message yourself in WhatsApp (and why you'd want to) and how to share your live location in WhatsApp.

Peter Wolinski
Peter Wolinski
Senior Editor, Reviews & Cameras

Peter is a Senior Editor at Tom's Guide, heading up the site's Reviews team and Cameras section. As a writer, he covers topics including tech, photography, gaming, hardware, motoring and food & drink. Outside of work, he's an avid photographer, specialising in architectural and portrait photography. When he's not snapping away on his beloved Fujifilm camera, he can usually be found telling everyone about his greyhounds, riding his motorcycle, squeezing as many FPS as possible out of PC games, and perfecting his espresso shots.