How to Hide and Lock WhatsApp Chats

This guide shows you how to keep specific WhatsApp conversations private by hiding them from the main chat list and locking them behind your phone’s biometric security. You’ll learn the built-in methods for both Android and iPhone, plus what to do if the feature isn’t working.

What You’ll Need

The latest version of WhatsApp installed from your app store
A phone with a working screen lock (PIN, pattern, or biometric) — this is required for chat locking
If you want to hide a chat, you’ll also need to know the contact or group name you want to hide

Step-by-Step

Lock a Chat (Android and iPhone)

Open WhatsApp and go to the Chats tab.
Find the chat you want to lock. Press and hold on it until a menu appears (on iPhone, you can also swipe left and tap More).
Tap Lock chat (on Android, it may be under the three-dot menu ⋮).
Confirm by tapping Lock in the pop-up. The chat will now be hidden from the main list and moved to a separate Locked chats folder at the top of your Chats screen.
To open a locked chat, tap the Locked chats folder, then tap the chat. You’ll be asked to verify with your fingerprint, face ID, or PIN.

Hide a Chat (Android and iPhone)

Open WhatsApp and go to the Chats tab.
Press and hold the chat you want to hide (or swipe left on iPhone and tap More).
Tap Hide chat (on Android, you may need to tap the three-dot menu first).
Confirm that you want to hide it. The chat disappears from the main list entirely.
To see hidden chats, pull down on the main chat list to reveal the search bar, then type the contact’s name or use the Hidden chats folder if your version shows it. You can also search for the contact in your contacts list and open the chat from there.

Combine Both (for maximum privacy)

First, hide the chat as described above.
Then, from the hidden chat’s view, tap the contact name at the top.
Scroll down and tap Lock chat. This way, even if someone finds the hidden chat, they’ll need your biometrics to open it.

Common Mistakes

Not updating WhatsApp: The lock and hide features require a recent version. If you don’t see the option, update the app first.
Forgetting your phone’s lock: If your phone has no screen lock, you cannot lock chats. Set one up in your phone’s settings first.
Hiding but not locking: Hiding a chat removes it from the main list, but anyone who knows how to search can still find it. Always lock it too for real privacy.
Expecting a password: WhatsApp uses your phone’s lock, not a separate app password. If you change your phone’s PIN, it will be used for locked chats.

Tips

Locked chats are backed up and restored if you switch phones, but the lock itself is tied to your device’s security.
You can lock multiple chats; they all go into the same Locked chats folder.
To unlock a chat later, press and hold it in the Locked chats folder and select Unlock chat.
On Android, you can also hide a chat from the notification shade by disabling notifications for that specific chat in its settings.
If you share your phone with someone, consider enabling Disappearing messages on sensitive chats as an extra layer.

Troubleshooting

I don’t see the “Lock chat” option

Update WhatsApp from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
Make sure your phone has a screen lock set (Settings > Security or Face ID & Passcode).
If you’re on an older phone or a modified version of WhatsApp, the feature may not be available.

I hid a chat but can’t find it

Pull down on the main chat list to bring up the search bar, then type the contact’s name.
Search for the contact in your phone’s contacts and open the chat from there.
On some versions, hidden chats appear under a Hidden chats folder at the top of the list — tap it to expand.

My fingerprint doesn’t work for locked chats

Re-register your fingerprints in your phone’s settings.
Restart your phone and try again.
If you’re using face unlock, make sure it’s enabled for app unlocking in your phone’s security settings.

Locked chats disappeared after I restored a backup

Locked chats are not part of the backup. You’ll need to re-lock them manually after restoring.
Hidden chats are also not backed up; you’ll need to hide them again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I lock a chat without hiding it?

Yes. Locking a chat moves it to the Locked chats folder, which is separate from the main list. It’s effectively hidden as well, but the folder is visible at the top of your Chats screen.

Can I set a different PIN for WhatsApp chats?

No. WhatsApp uses your phone’s existing security (fingerprint, face, or PIN). You cannot set a separate app PIN.

Will the other person know I locked the chat?

No. Locking or hiding a chat is only visible on your device. The other person has no indication that you’ve done this.

Can I hide a chat from the archived list too?

Yes, the hide feature works on any chat, including archived ones. You can hide an archived chat the same way.

What happens to notifications for locked chats?

By default, notifications for locked chats are hidden from the lock screen. You can change this in WhatsApp settings under Notifications > Locked chats, but that reduces privacy.

Can I lock a group chat?

Yes, the lock and hide features work for both individual and group chats.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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