• By Vikas Yadav
  • Thu, 27 Apr 2023 10:31 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

POPULAR messaging platform WhatsApp regularly gain limelight for beta testing new features for users. In the latest series, the Meta-owned app is making headlines for rolling out 'Lock Chat' functionality to selective beta testers on Android, WABetaInfo reports.

As per the platform, "WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.9.14" is a compatible build. Further, the feature will expand to more testers in the coming weeks. To see if the new option is available on your version, you can open the chat info of a profile and scroll down to check if the feature is available.

Also Read: With 'Keep In Chat,' WhatsApp Users Can Now Save Disappearing Messages If Sender Allows

If a user enables the option, new "Locked chats" option will appear in the chat list - the menu that welcomes you when you open the app. To access chats, a user will have to register a fingerprint that would help them authenticate these veiled conversations.

You can also lock videos and photos

The privacy feature is not limited to text-based chats. A beta tester can lock media like photos and videos that will not be automatically saved and reflected in the phone's memory. The news tracker also adds the locked chat is inaccessible without a "fingerprint or passcode". And if a user fails to authenticate access, they will get a prompt to clear the chat.

How to access the lock chat feature?

A user can enrol in the beta program of WhatsApp on Google Play Store to test out the feature that is rolling out. If you have updated to the latest version, but Lock Chat is unavailable, you can wait for the coming weeks.

For some background, the platform first reported the feature under development on WhatsApp update labelled 2.23.8.2 on Android. A user can access chats with the help of their fingerprint reader. As per the platform, it is among the most requested features by the platform adherents for extra protection against personal chats.

Meanwhile, the app is also testing new features such as a redesigned keyboard, new navigation menu and once-playable audio messages, reports the platform tracker.