When people bring up private chats, WhatsApp is usually the first name that pops up. I mean, it’s basically everywhere on your phone, your friends’ phones, even your parents probably use it. Most of us already have half our lives sitting in those chats, and not everything needs to be out in the open. Hand your phone to someone for two minutes and suddenly you’re hyper-aware of that one conversation you’d rather keep hidden.
That’s exactly why WhatsApp rolled out Chat Lock. They announced it not too long ago, and it does something pretty straightforward , you can push a chat into a hidden folder that only unlocks with your fingerprint, face ID, or passcode. No complicated setup. It’s just a “secret drawer” inside the app.
I tried it out by hiding one of my personal group chats. It feels like something that should have been there years ago. It doesn’t slow the app, doesn’t feel awkward, and it’s just nice to know your chats stay private even if someone uses your phone.
What Is WhatsApp Lock Chat and How Does It Work?
I wanted to hide my personal conversation on my Android phone so I used lock chat, it felt like creating a hidden folder inside WhatsApp itself. This is one of the best WhatsApp hidden tricks, Here’s how it works:
- You open the chat you want to keep private.
- Tap the person’s name, scroll, and you’ll see the option to Chat Lock, once you enable this feature it also works in synced devices.
- WhatsApp then shifts that conversation into a separate folder called Locked Chats that appears on the top of chats.
- Access to it requires your phone’s fingerprint or Face ID. Not your WhatsApp PIN, not your device password—only your biometric login. (WhatsApp FAQ).
So even if you lock the chats, the folder is still visible at the top of your chats. If you want a more discreet option, apps like DailyNewsTalk can help (Android and IOS). It works like a news app on the surface but doubles as a private messenger (has hidden password protected chat access), keeping your conversations hidden while still letting you chat normally. No phone number , or email id is required.
What’s the Difference Between WhatsApp Archived and Locked Chats?
Before Lock Chat rolled out, the only option was Archive. The difference? Archive just tucks chats away that can be found at the bottom of your chats , but they bounce right back up when a new message arrives. Locked Chats stay locked, you get notifications but the content and the user details are not shown, all you get is a WhatsApp: 1 new message.
If you just want to tuck away old but important chats, Archive works fine. If you actually want privacy, use WhatsApp secret lock.
Does WhatsApp Really Have a Secret Chatting Feature?
WhatsApp doesn’t have a feature literally called Secret Conversations. WhatsApp, on the other hand, applies end-to-end encryption by default to every single message, call, photo, and video (WhatsApp Security Whitepaper, 2023).
So, when people say WhatsApp secret chatting, they usually mean:
- Using Locked Chats for extra privacy as explained above.
- Turning on Disappearing Messages so texts vanish after 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days
- Hiding chats in Archive
It’s not an official “secret chat” mode, but when combined, these options cover most scenarios where you’d want a private thread.
How Do Disappearing Messages Work in WhatsApp?
I turned this on with a friend I share passwords with (don’t judge). The feature deletes messages automatically after a set time. The catch? People can still take a screenshot before the text disappears. WhatsApp does notify you if someone screenshots a View Once photo or video, but it doesn’t notify for disappearing text messages. Just something to keep in mind. (WhatsApp Security Whitepaper, 2023).
Can You Really Hide Chats in WhatsApp?
Honestly, WhatsApp doesn’t give you a way to fully hide chats. Even with Locked Chats, the folder itself is always visible. But within the app, you do have a few practical options:
- Archive chats – Moves them out of your main chat list so they don’t appear in your chat screen.
- Mute chats – Stops notifications for noisy groups or contacts without leaving them.
- Disappearing messages – Lets messages vanish automatically after a set time.
- Lock individual chats – Hides the messages and contact name from the main feed, but the Locked Chats folder is always visible until you hide it with WhatsApp secret code as explained in the following article.
How Can You View WhatsApp Status Secretly Without Being Seen?
This one’s a classic. Maybe you’re curious, maybe you don’t want to look obvious so either way, you can view WhatsApp status without being seen:
- Open WhatsApp → Settings → Privacy.
- Go to Read Receipts and toggle it off.
- Now, you can view someone’s status without triggering the “Seen by” list. (WhatsApp FAQ)
Downside? When you turn off read receipts, you also won’t see when others read your messages. It’s a trade-off. Still, for a WhatsApp secret status viewer, this setting is the simplest way.
What Security Gaps Should You Know About WhatsApp?
Even with all these privacy features, there are a few things to consider:
- Backups: Unless you enable end-to-end encrypted backups in settings, your messages stored on Google Drive or iCloud aren’t fully protected.
- Screenshots: As I said earlier, disappearing texts can still be saved through screenshots without warning.
- Device access: If someone has physical access to your unlocked phone, they can still open WhatsApp unless chats are locked.
What is WhatsApp Secret Typing Code and How Do I Use It?
WhatsApp secret typing code is a custom code (letters, numbers, or emojis) you can set to access locked chats secretly. Here’s how to set it up:
- Open the chat you want to lock → tap the contact’s name → enable Chat Lock.
- Go back to the main WhatsApp screen → tap Locked Chats → unlock using fingerprint or face ID.
- Tap the three dots → go to Chat Lock Settings → enable Hide Locked Chats → set your secret code.
- Return to WhatsApp and simply type the secret code in the search bar to view and access your hidden chats.
So what if you forget you WhatsApp secret code? then all you have to do is: Open WhatsApp main settings→ Privacy → Chat Lock → Unlock and clear chats ( This will also unlock and clear messages, photos and videos in locked chats)
In Short
At the end of the day, WhatsApp gives you several ways to keep your chats under control whether it’s Lock Chat for private threads, Archive to hide important old convos, Disappearing Messages to make conversations temporary, or even tweaks like viewing statuses anonymously. Each feature has its strengths and some limits, but knowing when and how to use each one makes a huge difference in everyday life. Plus you can explore other apps that are completely meant for secret chat like DailyNewsTalk.