Are you looking for a way to keep your WhatsApp conversations private? Whether it’s a personal chat, a surprise plan, or a sensitive discussion, WhatsApp offers multiple features to hide chats and keep your privacy intact. In this guide, you’ll learn how to hide and lock chats on WhatsApp , along with some expert tips and third-party tools to enhance your privacy.
Table of contents
📌 Why Hide WhatsApp Chats?
There are many reasons why users choose to hide chats on WhatsApp:
To protect sensitive or personal conversations
It prevent others from snooping through your phone
To keep your chats organized and clutter-free
For surprise planning (like birthday events or gifts)
Now, let’s dive into the various methods to hide chats on WhatsApp.
✅ Method 1: Using the Archive Feature (Built-in Option)
🔹 What Is WhatsApp Archive Chat?
The archive feature allows you to hide chats from your main chat screen without deleting them. Archived chats stay hidden unless you receive a new message or manually unarchive them.
📱 How to Archive Chats on Android
Open WhatsApp on your Android device.
Long-press the chat you want to hide.
Tap the archive icon (a box with a downward arrow) at the top of the screen.
📱 How to Archive Chats on iPhone
Launch WhatsApp.
Swipe left on the chat you want to hide.
Tap Archive.
🔓 How to Unarchive Chats
On Android: Scroll to the bottom of the chat list and tap on Archived. Long-press the chat and tap Unarchive.
On iPhone: Go to the top of the chat list and pull down to reveal Archived Chats. Swipe left on the chat and tap Unarchive.
📝 Note: Archived chats get unarchived if you receive a new message unless you enable the “Keep chats archived” setting in Settings > Chats.
🔐 Method 2: Use Chat Lock (Fingerprint or Face ID)
WhatsApp now offers Chat Lock, a feature that lets you lock individual chats using your device’s biometric security.
📲 How to Lock WhatsApp Chats (Android & iPhone)
Open the chat you want to lock.
Tap the contact’s name at the top.
Scroll down and select Chat Lock.
Enable Lock This Chat With Fingerprint/Face ID.
Once enabled, the chat will move to a Locked Chats folder that requires biometric verification to open.
🔓 How to Access Locked Chats
Go to the chat screen.
Swipe down to reveal the Locked Chats folder.
Use your fingerprint or Face ID to access them.
🔧 Method 3: Hide WhatsApp Chats Using Third-Party Apps (Android Only)
If you want more advanced privacy features, you can use third-party apps to hide WhatsApp chats. These apps offer additional functionalities such as hiding WhatsApp behind a PIN, disguising the app, or locking specific conversations.
🔍 Best Apps to Hide WhatsApp Chats
AppLock by DoMobile Lab : Lock WhatsApp and hide apps using fingerprint/PIN.
GBWhatsApp : A modified version of WhatsApp that allows you to hide chats natively (use at your own risk).
Vault-Hide : Allows users to hide WhatsApp chats, photos, and videos.
⚠️ Caution: Use third-party apps carefully. Some may compromise your data or violate WhatsApp’s terms of service.
🧠 Expert Tips for Better Privacy on WhatsApp
- Disable WhatsApp Notifications
To prevent prying eyes from seeing incoming messages:
Go to Settings > Notifications and turn off previews or alerts.
- Use WhatsApp Web Carefully
Always log out from WhatsApp Web on public or shared devices. You can do this from your phone via: Settings > Linked Devices > Log Out. - Enable Two-Step Verification
Add an extra layer of security:
Settings > Account > Two-step verification > Enable
🤔 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
❓ Can I hide WhatsApp chats without archiving or locking them?
No, WhatsApp currently only allows hiding chats using Archive or Chat Lock features. Other methods require third-party apps or modifications.
❓ Do archived chats still receive messages?
Yes, archived chats will still receive messages. You can change the behavior in Settings > Chats > Keep chats archived.
❓ Can I hide WhatsApp chats from search?
Chats hidden via Archive or Chat Lock will not appear in the main chat list but may still show up in search unless locked.
❓ Is using third-party apps safe?
Not always. Stick to trusted apps from the Google Play Store and read reviews before installing.
📍WhatsApp Tips and Tricks You Should Know in 2025
I hope this article help you, how to hide and lock chats on WhatsApp, let’s know in the comment section.
