A new feature has been added to WhatsApp. WhatsApp Chat Lock. On May 16th, WhatsApp launched a video on YouTube of their new feature which is to be expected to be implemented in their next update. Put simply, you’re able to lock your chats on WhatsApp so that others don’t have access to view them. This is without the use of a third-party application.
In this article we are going to look at:
- What WhatsApp Chat Lock is.
- The top 3 benefits of WhatsApp Chat Lock.
- The top 3 challenges of WhatsApp Chat Lock.
- How to activate WhatsApp Chat Lock.
What is WhatsApp Chat Lock?
Without overthinking it, WhatsApp Chat Lock is a feature on WhatsApp that allows users to lock certain chats. To open a particular chat, some form of authentication method needs to take place. This can be in the form of a fingerprint scanner as shown in the video, face detection, or a simple passcode.
Privacy and security will always be an issue with the evolution of technology. Having this feature available just adds that extra layer of security for your chats.
The top 3 benefits of WhatsApp Chat Lock
Now we know what WhatsApp Chat Lock is, lets look at the reasons why it was a good idea.
Enhanced privacy and security
The obvious benefit of this new feature is added security. Certain messages can be kept private even when your device is in the hands of another person.
If they don’t have the PIN, your fingerprint, or your face, they wouldn’t have access to your chats. They wouldn’t even be able to use the excuse that they accidentally opened a chat.
This is perfect when you’re at work and a message that would be deemed to be unprofessional pops up, in the middle of an important presentation.
Increased control
You can control who has access to view and send messages to certain people. The anxiety of handing your phone over to another person to show them something will evaporate. You wouldn’t need to worry about their level of curiosity.
Prevents pranks
People who think that they’re funny won’t be able to send random messages to people. This is because only people who know your pin, have access to your face, or have access to your fingerprint can access your chats.
You can sleep peacefully at night knowing that your high school crush didn’t receive a picture of yourself from the second grade.
The top 3 challenges of WhatsApp Chat Lock
WhatsApp Chat Lock isn’t without drawbacks. Listed below are the top 3 challenges of WhatsApp Chat Lock.
Technical limitations
This would refer to the type of device you have and its ability to implement these security measures. If your device is old or outdated, chances are, you wouldn’t have access to the WhatsApp Chat Lock feature.
Some may have access to the feature, but the device won’t be capable of doing any biometric scanning to unlock the chat.
Inconvenience for quick access
If you want to check or respond to messages quickly, you will need to unlock your chat every time. That means you are probably going to have to unlock your phone first and then your chat. For emergency situations that would be quite the hassle.
User experience
The overall experience may be safe, but quite tedious. It may even get your phone confiscated by your parents. They may have noticed that a chat was locked while they were looking over your shoulder at the dinner table. That would definitely hinder your experience with the app.
How do you activate WhatsApp Chat Lock?
You have decided to activate the Chat Lock feature despite the drawbacks mentioned above. How do you go about doing it?
There are three different sections to look at:
- Turn on Chat Lock
- View your locked chats
- Turn off Chat Lock
Step 1: Turn on Chat Lock
- Tap chat info > Chat lock.
- Tap Lock this chat with fingerprint or Lock This Chat with Face ID.
- Tap View to see the chat in the Locked chats folder.
Step 2: View your Locked Chats
You will be able to view your locked chats in the Locked chats folder.
- Go to the Chats tab and swipe down.
- Tap the Locked chats folder.
- Confirm your Face ID or touch the fingerprint sensor to unlock.
- Tap the chat to view or send a message.
Step 3: Turn off Lock Chats
Going to chat info will give you the ability to turn off Chat Lock.
- Tap chat info > Chat lock.
- Toggle off and confirm your fingerprint or Face ID.
Final thoughts
It is promising that WhatsApp continues to update the app’s security as technology continues to evolve. It would be interesting to see how many of us start implementing this feature and for what reasons. Be sure to look for the update and tell us how the experience was like for you.