Kate Mills 
Feb 01, 2024
WhatsApp introduced the Chat Lock feature for Android and iOS users in May 2023, but it was notably absent from the Web client. Recent reports suggest that WhatsApp is now actively working to bring the Chat Lock feature to WhatsApp Web.
Earlier information hinted at a redesigned sidebar for Web users, and a leaked image reveals a dedicated icon for the Chat Lock feature on the new sidebar.
According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is in the process of implementing the Chat Lock feature for its web client, allowing users to secure individual chats with an additional layer of protection. This added security is particularly useful when users wish to keep certain conversations private or handle sensitive information.
Read more: What is WhatsApp rolling out next for iOS users?
The leaked image displays a padlock icon positioned alongside the Archived Chats and Starred Messages icons, leading to speculation that locked messages will be housed within this tab, requiring a second layer of security for access.
While specific details on the functioning of this feature are yet to emerge, the Android and iOS versions employ passcodes, fingerprints, and Face ID authentication for unlocking chats. On the Web client, users may have the option to use passwords or passkeys—a passwordless authentication method allowing logins with biometrics.
Apart from this, WhatsApp Web is also expected to get changes such as a redesigned sidebar and a new colour scheme for the dark theme. The colour adjustment aims to reduce eye strain in low-light conditions, and the sidebar redesign seeks to maintain design consistency across all WhatsApp platforms.
Read more: How can you transfer your WhatsApp chats easily to a new device
WhatsApp is also planning additional features for its mobile applications. For iOS, the platform is reportedly incorporating support for passkeys, a feature previously introduced on its Android counterpart. All models that are running iOS 17 are expected to support access to passkeys. This means the Apple iPhone XR or newer model with an iOS 17 update would be able to enable Passkeys.
