WhatsApp is testing a new feature to give users more control over conversation privacy. According to reports, this feature, called “Restricted Chat,” allows a user to prevent devices linked to their account from accessing a specific conversation. When enabled, other linked devices will not be able to read the content of that chat.
Early signs of this feature appeared in beta version “2.26.36.4” and it is now gradually rolling out to some users of WhatsApp beta on Android devices. Beta version “2.26.39.11” also offers this capability via the Google Play Store.
Activation and scope of use
The feature is enabled from the conversation info page and is off by default; meaning the user must turn it on manually. For now, “Restricted Chat” only works in one-on-one chats and does not cover groups.
What restrictions are applied?
When “Restricted Chat” is turned on, a set of restrictions is applied for all participants in that conversation:
• Preventing automatic saving of sent media to the phone gallery
• Preventing export of the conversation by any party
• Disabling “Meta AI” features in that conversation
• Blocking access to the conversation from devices linked to the account
A message is also shown in the chat explaining that sending and receiving messages is now only possible via the primary device.
Previous name and WhatsApp’s emphasis
This capability was previously known as Advanced Chat Privacy and later renamed to Restricted Chats. WhatsApp has explained that conversations were already protected by end-to-end encryption and the main goal of this feature is to give users optional increased control to manage their chats.
Effect on unofficial tools
Some unofficial apps and AI proxies that read messages rely on a linked device connection. Blocking this route cuts off such tools’ access to restricted conversations. This is also true for the other party: if one of the participants has an unofficial device linked to their account, with “Restricted Chat” enabled that conversation will be safe from access via linked devices.
Additional details
WhatsApp introduced multi-device support in 2021, which allows simultaneous use of an account on multiple devices, such as web, desktop, and tablet. “Restricted Chat” can be seen as a complement to this mechanism: a user with many linked devices can now keep sensitive conversations only on their primary phone. Because this feature is still in beta testing, it may change before public release or its rollout may be delayed.