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WhatsApp is testing a new feature that gives users the option to lock certain chats. This feature is currently available for beta testers on Android.
WhatsApp has started rolling out lock chat to some beta testers on Android, and it is expected to reach more users in the coming weeks, according to WABetaInfo. Those interested can sign up for the WhatsApp beta program to try out unreleased features. As for the stable rollout, there is no word on when and if WhatsApp will release it for everyone.
As the name suggests, lock chat essentially locks your WhatsApp chats keeping them private and secure. You can find out if this feature is available or not by opening a WhatsApp chat info, and scrolling down to see the chat lock option. When you click on this you will get a prompt to lock the chat with fingerprint.
Once you do that a separate folder called 'Locked chats' will appear in the app. Here, all your locked chats will be clubbed together and you can only open this with your fingerprint. So even if someone has access to your WhatsApp they won't be able to open the locked chats.
WhatsApp already lets you lock the app with your fingerprint so this itself should be enough to keep your messages secure. But if you're someone who doesn't want to do that but still keep some chats private then this feature can come handy.
As with every WhatsApp feature in beta, we cannot assume that it will make it to the stable version. These features are sometimes scrapped too or take very long to reach all users. But for now WhatsApp beta testers on Android can test the feature and see how it works.