WhatsApp adds 'Secret Code' feature for Locked Chats, for completely hidden private chats

In case you didn't notice, WhatsApp introduced locked chats in May, providing users with the option to secure their chats within a folder accessible only through fingerprint, face scan, or password. Just a few days ago, the company announced an enhancement to this system, allowing users to implement a 'Secret Code,' which enables them to hide their locked chats using a customizable secret code.

This code can consist of letters, numbers, special characters, or emojis, offering an additional layer of security. Unlike before when locked chats were stored in a separate folder, they can now be entirely hidden behind the user's chosen secret code, making them invisible to anyone who casually looks at the user's phone. To access these hidden chats, users need to input their secret code into the WhatsApp search bar, providing a blend of security and convenience for those wishing to keep specific conversations private. Users can use many characters in the secret code, including emojis, and choose to keep their locked chats hidden or visible in their chat list, and can now lock a conversation by long-pressing on it, eliminating the need to access chat settings.

This feature began rolling out a week ago and is expected to be available globally in the coming months. And although WhatsApp is the leader messaging application worldwide, if you are looking for alternatives with better privacy options, it never hurts to take a look at platforms like Telegram, Olvid, or, of course, Signal.