WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. It allows you to easily communicate with friends, family and coworkers through one-on-one and group chats. While WhatsApp makes staying in touch incredibly convenient, you may sometimes want to lock certain sensitive chats to add an extra layer of privacy and security.
Why Lock WhatsApp Chats?
Here are some common reasons you may want to lock chats on WhatsApp:
- Prevent others from accessing private conversations when they use your phone
- Hide conversations you don’t want visible if your phone is lost or stolen
- Keep chats with certain contacts extra secure
By locking a chat, you can rest assured that particular conversation will remain hidden from prying eyes. Only you will be able to view the chat contents and messages once it’s locked.
How to Lock WhatsApp Chats on iPhone
Locking chats on WhatsApp for iPhone is easy and only takes a few steps. Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Open WhatsApp and go to the chat you want to lock
- Tap on the contact’s name at the top of the chat window
- Scroll down and tap on “Encryption”
- Toggle on the switch next to “Lock Chat”
That’s all there is to it! The selected chat is now locked. A padlock icon will appear next to the contact’s name at the top of the chat to indicate it is locked.
Set Up Face ID or Passcode
The first time you try locking a chat, WhatsApp will prompt you to set up an extra layer of security. You can choose to secure locked chats using Face ID or a custom passcode. This provides additional protection in case someone else tries accessing your locked chats.
To set up Face ID:
- Tap “Continue” when prompted after locking a chat
- Select “Use Face ID” and follow the on-screen instructions
To create a passcode:
- Tap “Continue” when prompted after locking a chat
- Select “Passcode”
- Enter a 6-digit passcode and tap “Done”
- Confirm your passcode
You will then need to use Face ID or enter your passcode to view locked chats in the future.
Unlock WhatsApp Chats
Unlocking a chat is just as easy as locking it. Here’s how to unlock chats on iPhone:
- Go to the locked chat you want to unlock
- Tap on the contact’s name
- Toggle off “Lock Chat”
The chat will now be unlocked. You’ll be able to view and send messages in it normally again.
View Locked Chats
You’re probably wondering – how do I view my locked chats if they’re hidden from the main chat list? It’s simple:
- Open WhatsApp and tap on “Settings”
- Go to “Account” > “Privacy”
- Tap on “Locked Chats”
This will display a list of all your currently locked chats. Tap on one to open it.
You’ll need to use Face ID or enter your passcode to view locked chats this way. This prevents anyone else from accessing your private conversations if they get ahold of your device.
Important Things to Know About Locked Chats
Here are some key points to remember about locking chats on WhatsApp for iPhone:
- You can lock both individual and group chats
- Locked chats still receive new messages – you just need Face ID or a passcode to view them
- Media and messages sent in locked chats are still end-to-end encrypted
- You can set locked chats to auto-lock each time you leave the chat window
- Notifications for new messages in locked chats won’t show message previews
Troubleshooting Locked Chats
Locking WhatsApp chats is designed to improve privacy, but sometimes things don’t work as expected. Here are solutions for common locked chat issues on iPhone:
Can’t Access Locked Chat
If you can’t access a locked chat, first make sure Face ID or your passcode is set up properly. Go to WhatsApp Settings > Account > Privacy and confirm a security method is enabled under “Locked Chats.” If it is, try re-entering your passcode or repositioning your face for Face ID.
Lost Passcode for Locked Chat
If you forgot your passcode, unfortunately there is no direct way to recover it. You will have to uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp to reset the app and remove the passcode requirement. Just be sure to back up your chats first!
Locked Chat Not Showing in List
If a locked chat is not appearing in your Locked Chats list, try restarting your device. There may also be a temporary glitch preventing it from being displayed properly. Try locking the chat again.
Can’t Unlock Chat
Make sure to tap the contact name and toggle the “Lock Chat” switch off. If it still won’t unlock, close the app entirely and reopen it. The chat should now be unlocked when you return to it.
Notifications Showing Locked Chat Previews
Double check that you have notifications disabled for locked chats under WhatsApp Settings > Notifications > Show Preview. If they are off but you still see message previews, try toggling the preview setting off and on again.
Conclusion
Locking WhatsApp chats is an easy way to add an extra layer of security and privacy to sensitive conversations on your iPhone. Now you know how to lock and unlock chats, view your locked list, set up Face ID or a passcode, and troubleshoot common issues that may arise.
With this handy feature, you can conveniently hide certain chats from view on your phone and prevent unauthorized access. Give it a try for any WhatsApp conversations you want to keep extra private!