WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.8.5: what’s new?
WhatsApp is rolling out a new update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.23.8.5.
What’s new in this update? WhatsApp is working on an entry point to open and manage locked chats, available in a future update of the app!
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | Locked chats |
| Status? | Under development |
| Availability? | WhatsApp is working on bringing the ability to lock chats to a future update. |
| I’ve installed this update but I don’t have this feature. Why? | This feature is under development so it is not ready to be released to beta testers, but you can discover a preview in this article. |
| How to join the community on WhatsApp? | WABetaInfo Community |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.8.4: what’s new? WhatsApp is working on a tweaked user interface for the app by implementing a bottom navigation bar! |
LOCKED CHATS
In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.8.2 update, we shared information about a new feature available in a future update of the app: a feature to allow users to lock their chats. Thanks to this feature, you will be able to lock specific chats by using a passcode or fingerprint, so nobody can open them in case they use your phone. It is still in development but, thanks to the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.8.5 update, we discovered that WhatsApp is now working on an entry point to open and manage locked chats:
As you can see in this screenshot, it will be possible to choose which chats to lock right within their chat info, as a new option appears in this section. After locking a chat, it is listed within the “Locked chats” section, and its entry point will be located within the chat list.
As we said in our previous article about this feature, we believe that the ability to lock chats provides an extra level of privacy for confidential chats, as it will allow users to protect their messages from unauthorized access. To enhance privacy, in case of unauthorized access attempts, the user will be prompted to clear the chat before gaining access to it. In addition, this feature definitely helps to maintain media privacy by ensuring that any media files, such as photos and videos, shared in a locked chat are not automatically saved to the device’s gallery.
The feature that allows users to lock their chats is under development and it will be released in a future update of the app. As always, we’re going to publish another article on this website when we have further details to share with you.
Stay up-to-date on WhatsApp news by following WABetaInfo on Twitter where you can also discover other new features for WhatsApp beta for Android, iOS, Web/Desktop, and Windows.
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