Flick the ‘Restricted Chat’ switch – the subject of the latest WhatsApp beta for Android – and your linked devices will no longer be able to read that chat. Only the primary device will retain access, adding another level of privacy to Meta’s messenger. WAbetaInfo spotted the feature in the 2.26.39.11 beta version, available to some testers.
Keeping certain chats under your thumb (and only yours)
That’s the biggest selling point of Restricted Chats, but it’s not all they’re capable of. Restricted Chats, judging by the beta test, is only available for individual conversations, and not group or community chats. The setting is off by default across all your chats, so users will need to seek out the toggle on a chat-by-chat basis.
Toggle it, and WhatsApp will apply four restrictions to the chat. First, the app won’t automatically save media sent in said chat right to the device’s gallery. Next, neither user will be able to export the chat. Meta AI is banished to the shadow realm too, and any attempt to use its smarts will fail miserably. These chats stay local, too.
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It mimics WhatsApp’s advanced chat privacy settings, though that didn’t support keeping chats off other devices. Any chat with these settings enabled remains accessible on linked devices, defeating the point of privacy. When the feature turns up everywhere, you’ll need to visit the specific chat’s profile to flick the switch.
As for when you’ll be able to do so… WhatsApp isn’t telling. The feature has only just made it to a select few beta tester devices, meaning it’s still a ways off from a public release. It’s also worth mentioning that a beta feature isn’t guaranteed to make it out, though it’s rare for WhatsApp not to follow through.
