WhatsApp adds new secret code feature to help protect chats
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WhatsApp has just announced a small, yet important update that further improves the app’s privacy and security aspects. Secret code is a new feature that allows users to secure locked chats and add an extra layer of security.
Thanks to the new feature, WhatsApp users can now set a unique password different from what they use to unlock their phones to protect locked chats. In addition, the new feature introduces the ability to hide the Locked Chats folder from the chatlist, which means that they can only be discovered by typing the secret code in the search bar.
This is an optional feature, so you can still choose to have all your locked chats (or some of them) still appear in the chatlist. Another nifty quality-of-life change is the way you can lock chats after the update.
Previously, in order to lock a chat, you had to visit the chat’s settings. However, with the latest version of WhatsApp, you can simply long press to lock a chat, no need for extra taps.
According to WhatsApp, the new secret code feature is already rolling out, but it will take months to be available globally, so be patient if you don’t see it on your phone yet.
Questions & Answers
Q.What is the primary purpose of WhatsApp's new secret code feature?
What is the primary purpose of WhatsApp's new secret code feature?
The new secret code feature allows users to protect locked chats with a unique password, separate from their phone's unlock code. This adds an extra layer of security and privacy for sensitive conversations within the app.
Q.How does the new feature enhance the privacy of locked chats beyond just a password?
How does the new feature enhance the privacy of locked chats beyond just a password?
Beyond setting a unique password, the feature also allows users to hide the Locked Chats folder from their main chatlist. These hidden chats can then only be found by typing the secret code directly into the search bar.
Q.Has the update made it easier or quicker to lock individual chats?
Has the update made it easier or quicker to lock individual chats?
Yes, the update has streamlined the process for locking chats. Users no longer need to navigate to chat settings; they can now simply long press on a chat to lock it, reducing the number of steps required.
Q.When can all WhatsApp users expect to see this new secret code feature on their phones?
When can all WhatsApp users expect to see this new secret code feature on their phones?
WhatsApp states that while the new secret code feature is already rolling out, it will take several months for it to become available globally. Users should be patient if they do not yet see it.
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