• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Meta's messaging application has been in the news for developing new features and later bringing them to testers and users. In this series, the company is now testing a locked chats feature for linked devices on Android. According to WABetaInfo, the feature is available in "2.24.11.9" update to testers. For the unaware, it was first spotted in the development last month.

According to the report, the feature ensures that locked chats are secured on the linked devices of a user. Available for select users during the trials, a wider release may follow soon. Enrolled beta users can update their app from the Google Play Store to check if the update is available. As per the screengrab in the report, testers can protect their chats from linked devices. However, the secret code must be configured on the primary device.

Also Read: WhatsApp Channels Update: Meta App To Soon Let You Manage Channels From Linked Android, iOS Devices? What We Know

"To open locked chats on this device, you first need to create a secret code. On your primary phone, go to Chat Lock settings and select Secret code," the description of "Set up your secret code" said. After the process, secret chats will disappear from the conversation list on a linked device and can only be opened via the locked chat window.

These chats are synced across supported linked devices to aid the accessibility of these conversations and the privacy of users. It can help ensure confidentiality as they might be prone to prying eyes and accidental leaks across devices. The feature is one of the tweaks the company is testing across platforms.

Also Read: WhatsApp iOS Update: Meta App Testing Option To Block Users From Taking Screenshots Of Your DP On iPhones

On a related note, the company is also introducing an "Explore" option within the Updates tab on Android for channels. This can help in content discovery and boost engagement. Meanwhile, the company is also introducing support for video calls with up to 32 people for Mac computers. The feature is available to Mac users who update to the '24.9.77' version, the WhatsApp tracker said.