WhatsApp Chat Lock protects selected conversations from casual access when someone else is holding your phone. A locked chat moves into a separate folder and requires your phone’s authentication—such as a fingerprint, Face ID or passcode—to open. You can also hide the Locked Chats folder with a secret code.
This step-by-step guide explains how to lock and unlock individual or group chats on Android and iPhone, hide the folder, find it again, understand notifications and linked-device behaviour, and avoid accidentally clearing private conversations.
What WhatsApp Chat Lock does
Chat Lock moves a conversation out of the main chat list into a Locked Chats folder. To open it, you authenticate using the screen-lock method supported by your device. Notifications from locked chats hide the sender’s name and message content, and media from locked chats is not automatically saved to your phone’s gallery.
Chat Lock is a device-privacy feature. It does not block the other person, delete the conversation or add a separate layer of end-to-end encryption. The other participant is not notified when you lock a chat.
Before you lock a chat
- Set up a secure screen lock on your phone, such as a PIN, fingerprint or Face ID.
- Update WhatsApp from the official app store so the current Chat Lock controls are available.
- Choose a strong device passcode that other people do not know. Chat Lock uses your device authentication.
- Decide which conversations genuinely need locking; locking every chat can make everyday access slower.
How to lock a WhatsApp chat on Android
- Open WhatsApp and find the individual or group chat you want to protect.
- Open the conversation and tap the contact or group name at the top.
- Scroll to Chat Lock.
- Turn on Lock this chat.
- Confirm with your fingerprint, face or phone passcode when prompted.
- Return to the chat list. The conversation should now be in the Locked Chats folder.
On some versions, you can also press and hold a conversation in the chat list and choose the lock option from the menu.
How to lock a WhatsApp chat on iPhone
- Open the conversation you want to protect.
- Tap the contact or group name at the top of the screen.
- Choose Chat Lock.
- Turn on the lock option.
- Confirm with Face ID, Touch ID or your device passcode, depending on your iPhone model and settings.
- Return to the chat list and open the Locked Chats folder when you need the conversation.
The menu labels can vary slightly by WhatsApp and iOS version. If you cannot find Chat Lock, update WhatsApp and search the chat information screen.
How to find and open Locked Chats
On many Android versions, go to the Chats tab and slowly pull the chat list down to reveal the Locked Chats folder at the top. Tap it and authenticate. On iPhone, the folder may appear at the top of the chat list; tap it and authenticate to open.
Once inside, you can read and reply, send media and use the conversation normally. When you leave the folder, WhatsApp protects it again. The exact folder position can change with app updates.
How to hide Locked Chats with a secret code
If you do not want the Locked Chats folder to appear in the chat list, create a secret code and enable the hide option.
- Open the Locked Chats folder and authenticate.
- Open the folder’s menu or Chat Lock settings.
- Choose Secret code.
- Create a code that is different from your phone passcode and difficult for other people to guess.
- Confirm the code and turn on Hide locked chats, if the option is shown.
To reveal the hidden folder later, tap WhatsApp’s search field and type the secret code. The Locked Chats folder should appear so you can authenticate and open it.
Important: if you forget the secret code, WhatsApp’s recovery process may require you to unlock and clear locked chats. Clearing can delete the messages and media inside those conversations. Do not choose a clear option unless you understand the data-loss risk and have checked whether a suitable backup exists.
How to unlock a chat without deleting it
- Open the Locked Chats folder and authenticate.
- Open the conversation you want to unlock.
- Tap the contact or group name at the top.
- Choose Chat Lock.
- Turn off Lock this chat and authenticate if prompted.
- Return to the chat list. The conversation should move back to your normal list.
Unlocking one chat is different from clearing all locked chats. Read the confirmation carefully and avoid options that say Clear or Delete if you only want to remove the lock.
Can you lock group chats?
Yes. You can lock an individual chat or a group conversation using the same Chat Lock process. Open the group, tap its name, choose Chat Lock and confirm your device authentication. The other group members are not notified that you locked the chat on your phone.
Locking a group does not change membership, admin permissions or whether people can send messages. It only protects access to the conversation on your device.
What happens to notifications, calls and media?
- Message notifications: notifications from locked chats hide the sender’s name and message text.
- Incoming calls: calls from contacts in locked chats are not blocked. The caller’s name may still appear in the incoming-call interface.
- Media: media from locked chats is not automatically saved to your phone’s gallery.
- Other participants: they are not notified when you lock the conversation.
- Phone authentication: anyone who knows your device passcode or can authenticate as you may be able to open the locked folder.
Can you use Chat Lock on WhatsApp Web and linked devices?
WhatsApp supports locked chats on WhatsApp Web, Windows and Mac. To access locked chats on WhatsApp Web, you need to set up the secret code on your primary Android or iPhone first. Availability and exact controls can vary by linked-device version, so check the current WhatsApp instructions and do not assume a shared computer is protected simply because your phone has Chat Lock enabled.
On any shared computer, log out of WhatsApp Web when you finish and review Settings → Linked devices regularly. Remove devices you do not recognize.
What happens when you change phones or restore a backup?
Chat Lock is tied to your account and device authentication. If you move WhatsApp to a new phone, restore your chat history and then set up the new phone’s screen lock, review Chat Lock and your locked conversations again. The new device uses its own authentication method; do not assume the old phone’s fingerprint or Face ID settings transfer.
Before resetting or trading in your old phone, make a current WhatsApp backup and verify its date. Keep the old device until your important chats and media are restored on the new one. See our WhatsApp backup and transfer guide.
Common Chat Lock problems and fixes
Chat Lock option is missing
Update WhatsApp, make sure your phone has a screen lock enabled and check the chat information page. The feature and menu labels can vary by device and app version.
Fingerprint or Face ID does not work
Check your phone’s biometric settings and confirm the sensor or Face ID works outside WhatsApp. Use the device passcode if the phone offers it as an alternative.
If you enabled Hide locked chats, tap the WhatsApp search field and enter your secret code. If you cannot remember it, review WhatsApp’s official recovery instructions before choosing any clear option.
Someone can still call me from a locked chat
That is expected. Chat Lock does not block calls. If you do not want someone to contact you, use WhatsApp’s separate block or mute controls.
My locked chat appears on a linked computer
Check the current linked-device support and secret-code setup. Remove unknown linked devices and log out from shared computers. Do not leave WhatsApp Web signed in on a device other people can access.
Chat Lock vs Archive vs Disappearing Messages
- Chat Lock: protects access to selected conversations on your device with authentication.
- Archive: moves a conversation out of the main chat list but does not add an authentication barrier.
- Disappearing Messages: sets a timer for new messages in a chat; it does not lock the conversation.
Use the feature that matches your goal. You can also combine Chat Lock with disappearing messages, but remember that recipients may still copy or capture content before it disappears. Read our guides to archived chats and disappearing messages.
Frequently asked questions
1. Will someone know if I lock our WhatsApp chat?
No. WhatsApp does not notify the other participant when you lock a chat on your device.
2. Can I lock a WhatsApp group?
Yes. Open the group, tap its name, choose Chat Lock and confirm with your phone authentication.
3. How do I hide the Locked Chats folder?
Open Locked Chats, set a Secret Code in Chat Lock settings and enable Hide locked chats. Enter the code in WhatsApp search to reveal the folder later.
4. What happens if I forget my secret code?
WhatsApp’s recovery option may require you to clear locked chats, which can delete messages and media. Read the warning carefully before proceeding.
5. Does Chat Lock block calls?
No. Calls from locked contacts are not blocked. Use WhatsApp’s separate block feature if you want to stop someone contacting you.
6. Do notifications show the message text?
Notifications from locked chats hide the sender’s name and message content, helping keep previews private on your screen.
7. Are photos from locked chats saved to my gallery?
Media from locked chats is not automatically saved to your phone’s gallery. This is one of the privacy protections of Chat Lock.
8. Can I use Chat Lock on WhatsApp Web?
WhatsApp supports locked chats on Web and desktop. You need to set up the secret code on your primary phone first to access locked chats on WhatsApp Web.
9. Does Chat Lock add end-to-end encryption?
No. WhatsApp messages are already end-to-end encrypted in transit. Chat Lock adds a local access barrier on your device.
10. Will locked chats transfer to a new phone?
Restore your WhatsApp backup on the new phone, set up its screen lock and review Chat Lock settings. Keep the old phone until the restore is complete and your important chats are present.
Final takeaway
Chat Lock is useful when you want selected WhatsApp conversations protected from casual access on your phone. Lock only the chats you need, use a strong device passcode, create a secret code only if you need to hide the folder, and be careful with any recovery option that clears chats. It is a practical privacy layer—not a guarantee that recipients cannot copy messages or that calls will be blocked.
Official reference: WhatsApp’s official Help Center.
