WhatsApp has a new Chat Lock feature that adds an extra layer of security to protect your private conversations.
By locking a chat, it will be moved to a separate folder that can only be accessed with your password or biometric.
The feature is designed to protect your privacy if you occasionally share your phone with your family or friends.
To lock a chat, you need to tap the name of a person or group and select the lock option.
WhatsApp plans to expand the Chat Lock options like the ability to set custom passwords.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to fix Chat Lock not showing, missing, or not working on WhatsApp for iOS and Android.
Why is Chat Lock not showing on WhatsApp?
The Chat Lock option is not showing on WhatsApp because you haven’t updated the app to the latest version yet.
Otherwise, the feature has not been rolled out to you or your country yet.
Chat Lock is not available on some iOS and Android devices.
This is because WhatsApp is slowly rolling out the feature to everyone.
How to fix Chat Lock not showing on WhatsApp
To fix Chat Lock not showing on WhatsApp, you need to update the app to the latest version.
You can also try to join WhatsApp Beta (for Android devices), contact WhatsApp support, or wait until the feature is rolled out to you.
Method 1: Update WhatsApp
- Open the App Store or Google Play Store.
- Search for “WhatsApp”.
- Tap on the “Update” button.
- Open WhatsApp and tap the name of a person or group.
- Select “Chat Lock” and lock the chat.
Method 2: Join WhatsApp Beta
- Go to https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.whatsapp.
- Sign in to your Google account.
- Select “Become a tester”.
- Open the Google Play Store and search for “WhatsApp”.
- Wait for a few minutes (if you don’t see an “Update” button).
- Tap on the “Update” button.
- Open WhatsApp and tap the name of a person or group.
- Select “Chat Lock” and lock the chat.
Note: It can take a while for you to receive the Beta update.
Method 3: Contact WhatsApp support
- Go to https://www.whatsapp.com/contact/?subject=messenger.
- Enter your phone number and email address.
- State how you use WhatsApp.
- Enter your message (e.g. I don’t have the Chat Lock option).
- Select “Next Step” followed by “Send Question”.
- Wait for 1 to 3 business days for WhatsApp’s response.
Method 4: Wait until the feature is rolled out to you
- The Chat Lock feature is not available to all users yet.
- If you don’t have the feature, you need to wait for a few days or weeks for it to be rolled out to you.
Further reading
How to Bold, Underline, Italics, Strikethrough, or Monospace on WhatsApp
How to Fix “You can’t send messages to this group” on WhatsApp
