WhatsApp tests feature to lock chats to main phone

WhatsApp is testing a new privacy feature called Restricted Chat, which locks conversations to a user’s primary phone and stops them from syncing to other linked devices. The update appears only in the Android beta version and would let users block specific chats from showing up on WhatsApp Web or secondary mobile devices.

The system expands on Advanced Chat Privacy, a 2023 tool that restricts how participants can forward or share messages. Unlike that earlier feature, Restricted Chat does not block forwarding—it simply keeps conversations confined to the main device. Users could still view restricted chats on their primary phone, but the messages would remain hidden from any other linked accounts.

This tool does not replace Advanced Chat Privacy but instead complements it. Meta introduced that earlier system as an initial step, and Restricted Chat continues the same effort to give users more precise control over message visibility. The new option would let them designate which conversations stay private, rather than applying broad restrictions across all chats.

Currently, the feature is limited to WhatsApp’s Android beta, with no official release date announced. Meta has not confirmed when it will become widely available, though past updates suggest a rollout could happen soon. Unlike some experimental tools, this one does not require users to enable it by default; it remains optional, meaning they must manually select which chats to restrict.

WhatsApp’s privacy tools have grown in response to user requests, especially for ways to prevent messages from appearing on multiple devices. While Restricted Chat will not eliminate all risks, such as screen-sharing or unauthorized access, it provides an extra safeguard for users who want sensitive discussions to stay on a single device.

Work on the feature is still in progress, so specifics may change before launch. Meta has not disclosed whether iOS or desktop versions will support it first, or if further controls will be added in later updates.

Users who rely on WhatsApp Web or secondary devices may find this tool particularly useful, as it offers a way to keep certain conversations fully private. The feature aligns with broader trends in digital privacy, where users increasingly demand better separation between personal and shared accounts.