WhatsApp is currently one of the most popular applications for communicating with enemies and working with colleagues. I use it on a daily basis, chatting with my family, friends, colleagues, and clients. It contains much of my personal information; however, it is critical to keep my WhatsApp account and my phone equally secure.
Attempts to leave my phone in the hands of another or fearing that it can be tapped by strangers leave me in a better position to lock WhatsApp. Luckily, the WhatsApp application has various privacy options, such as App Lock, Chat Lock, biometric authentication, and secret codes, which have assisted in keeping the conversations confidential.
Here, you can read about the way I would lock WhatsApp on Android, iPhone, and WhatsApp Web and the ideas that will help you maximize your privacy and avoid certain pitfalls.
Why I Lock WhatsApp
My WhatsApp account has personal talks, photos, documents, and banking notifications, and validation codes. They might even crack my chats when I already have a screen lock on my phone, but they have my unlock PIN.
I add an extra level of security to WhatsApp by activating built-in lock options. This implies that any person who attempts to access WhatsApp has to authenticate their identity by fingerprint or Face ID or passcode to see my messages.
WhatsApp’s locking feature is particularly handy when I provide my phone to my family members, leave my device unattended in the workplace, or, in general, require more privacy.
App Lock vs Chat Lock
I would have to comprehend the WhatsApp privacy variations before establishing security.
App Lock defends the whole WhatsApp application. Whenever one opens WhatsApp, he or she will have to be biometrically authenticated or use a passcode to access any chats. This would be optimal in case I would wish the application to be fully covered.
Chat Lock, on the other hand, secures only selected conversations. locked conversational chats are transferred to a special folder and can be accessed only after fingerprint verification or Face ID verification, or passcode verification. Regular conversations do not require an additional authentication.
Combining the two features offers greater privacy to sensitive discussions.
How to Lock WhatsApp on Android
WhatsApp allows me to easily turn on biometric protection if I use an Android phone.
Step 1: Open WhatsApp Settings
I open WhatsApp and press the three-dot menu on the right-hand side. Then I click on Settings and then Privacy.
Step 2: Enable App Lock
I can scroll through the Privacy settings in order to locate App Lock (not all versions of WhatsApp may work the same way).
I enable Unlock with biometric and verify my fingerprint.
Step 3: Choose Auto-Lock Timing
WhatsApp enables me to determine when the application should lock.
Commonly offered are:
- Immediately
- After 1 minute
- After 30 minutes
I tend to use Immediately as it gives the highest level of security, although I tend to leave my phone unattended.
How to Lock WhatsApp on iPhone
The process is very similar on iPhones.
To start with, I open WhatsApp and press Settings in the bottom-right corner.
Next, I go to:
Privacy → App Lock
Then, I turn on Require Face ID or Require Touch ID, based on the model of my iPhone.
I also have the option of determining the speed at which WhatsApp access is locked out of the application. This gives a compromise of convenience and security.
How to Lock Individual WhatsApp Chats
Sometimes I don’t need to lock the entire application. Rather I would like to defend some conversations.
This is ideal with the Chat Lock feature offered by WhatsApp.
I just need to open the chat I want to save and touch the name of the contact or a group.
I scroll down and then tap Chat Lock.
Once my fingerprint, Face ID or the phone passcode has been verified, the conversation is sent to a special Locked Chats folder accessible only to me. These chats also have a preview of the messages in their notifications that is hidden to enhance privacy.
How to Find Locked Chats
Once a conversation has been locked, it will not be listed in the regular chat list anymore.
Essentially, to enter it, I open WhatsApp and gradually scroll downwards at the top of my chat list until I get the Locked Chats folder.
After authenticating, via my fingerprint, Face ID, or pass-code, I can read and respond to those messages just like any other email.
This keeps personal conversations a secret even when someone just uses my phone momentarily.
How to Lock WhatsApp Web
Some individuals are not aware that WhatsApp Web has an App Lock option.
In case I use WhatsApp regularly on my laptop or desktop using a browser, enabling App Lock prevents my conversations from being accessed when I leave my computer.
To enable it:
- Open WhatsApp Web
- Click Settings
- Select Privacy
- Open App Lock
- Create a password
- Select the automatic lock time for WhatsApp Web.
WhatsApp Web features a password, unlike the mobile app, which is biometrically secured.
How to Create a Secret Code for Locked Chats
Another feature of WhatsApp that brings an additional level of privacy to locked chats is the so-called Secret Code introduced by WhatsApp. I can now make my own secret code to conceal the Locked Chats folder as opposed to just tapping through the folder with a finger or Face ID scanner I find it simpler to tap the Locked Chats folder.
I unlock the Locked Chats folder and enter the settings to configure. There, I select Secret Code, enter a memorable code consisting of letters, numbers or symbols, and verify it. As soon as this feature is activated, I can enter the secret code into the search bar of WhatsApp to see my locked chats.
This feature is especially useful if I don’t want anyone to know that I have locked conversations in the first place. Someone won’t easily access the hidden folder without the secret code because even when you unlock my phone, they cannot.
Additional Privacy Settings I Always Enable
This is not the only way to secure my privacy on WhatsApp. I also use some of the inbuilt security options that render my account a lot safer.
Enable Two-Step Verification
Two-step authentication will introduce a six-digit PIN that WhatsApp will require anytime my phone number is auto-registered in a new device. This PIN is necessary even in case somebody can get my SIM card or verification code because without this, my account cannot be reached.
In order to do it, I visit:
Settings → Account → Two-step Verification
I will also include a recovery email address to enable me to change the PIN in case I forget.
Hide Message Previews
Messaging previews on my lock screen display may reveal my own personal message, even when my WhatsApp is locked.
To keep broadcast on my phone limited, I have the notification settings disabled such that messages are not shown in my phone as previews. This makes it impossible to have other people reading messages without the need to open WhatsApp.
Enable End-to-End Encrypted Backups
Although messages on WhatsApp are end-to-end encrypted when they are transferred, they are not encrypted when it comes to cloud backups, unless I switch on an option that lets the app encrypt cloud messages.
I go to:
Settings → Chats → Chat Backup → End-to-End Encrypted Backup
That way, I will make sure that my conversations will be secure even in cases when someone will access my cloud storage.
Benefits of Locking WhatsApp
The security functionality of WhatsApp allows me to have multiple benefits other than simple privacy.
First, it secures covert discussions between me and my friends, relatives or colleagues who might access my phone. They are not even able to unlock the device and access WhatsApp without a passcode or biometrics.
Second, Chat Lock will ensure that sensitive conversations do not exist in my chat list. This will come in handy with work conversations, finances or personal talks that I do not want people to know about instantly.
The other advantage is it will be less exposed due to notifications. Secrecy In locked chats, the names of contacts and message content are not visible to anyone on the lock screen.
Last but not least: switching on all these security measures simultaneously, i.e., App Lock, Chat Lock, 2-step verification, and encrypted backups, gives a significantly more robust line of defense when it comes to unauthorized access.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Although WhatsApp security features are user-friendly, I avoid some general pitfalls and thus make them ineffective.
A few of these errors are the use of my telephone screen lock only. Although a device PIN is not the most secure, having an additional security measure with WhatsApp App Lock provides an extra layer of security in case someone has gained entry to my unlocked device.
The other widespread one is forgetting to facilitate two-step authentication. Without it, an individual who hacks into my phone number will have registered my WhatsApp in his phone.
Neither do I crack weak device passwords nor effortless to decode PINs. Strong authentication, encompassing features such as fingerprints, Face ID, and complex six-digit-long passcodes, is a lot more protective.
Lastly, I make sure that WhatsApp is up to date. Important security improvements, privacy features, and bug fixes are often added to new versions, and they contribute to keeping my account secure.
Final Thoughts
Learning to lock WhatsApp can be one of the simplest tools that I can use to improve my online privacy. Whether it is locking the entire application, or a one-on-one Chat Lock confirmation, or hiding a secret chat with a Secret Code, WhatsApp integrates to a wide extent where it can also be instituted within just a few minutes.
I also enable the use of App Lock with two-step verification, encrypted backups, disabled notifications, and preview and update apps regularly to make sure that they are as safe as possible. The features are all integrated so that no one has access to my personal conversations, photos, documents, and account data without my permission.
In case I do appreciate my privacy, as is the case with the vast majority of humans, it is easy to exploit the WhatsApp privacy features and enjoy the benefits of doing just that.
Also Read: How to Sign Out of Google Account on Any Device: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide