WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.8.4: what's new?
WhatsApp is rolling out a new update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.24.8.4.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is working on a locked chats feature for linked devices, and it will be available in a future update!
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | Locked chats |
| Status? | Under development |
| Availability? | WhatsApp is working on bringing a locked chats feature for linked devices to a future update of the app. |
| I've installed this update but I don't have this feature. Why? | This feature is under development so it's not ready for beta testers, but it is possible to discover a preview in this article. |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp news of the week: default media upload quality feature is available on Android beta! |
LOCKED CHATS
In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.24.20 update, we announced a WhatsApp was rolling out a feature to protect locked chats with a secret code. This enhancement was designed to provide an extra level of privacy to our conversations, enabling users to hide locked chats from their chats list and gain access to them via a personal code. This feature is currently limited to primary devices and is not yet accessible on linked devices. However, with ongoing development, it is anticipated to be extended to linked devices in the future. Thanks to the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.8.4 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is finally working on a locked chats feature for linked devices!
As you can see in the attached screenshot, WhatsApp is exploring the implementation of locked chats support for linked devices, for a future update of the app. To open the locked chats folder on a linked device, users will be required to create a secret code. This secret code can be configured from the primary phone within the chat lock settings by selecting the secret code option. After configuring the secret code, locked chats will disappear from the chats list and can only be accessed via this privacy feature on linked devices.
In our opinion, the introduction of this feature for linked devices will significantly improve both privacy and user convenience, ensuring that locked chats always remain synchronized across all devices. This means users will be able to easily access their protected conversations from any linked device without compromising the confidentiality of those conversations. Since locked chats are currently confined to the primary device, leaving conversations potentially exposed on linked devices may pose a significant privacy risk. With the implementation of locked chats support for linked devices, users will be able to rest assured that their sensitive conversations remain hidden from prying eyes across all platforms and devices, enhancing the overall privacy and security.
A locked chats feature for linked devices is under development and it will be available in a future update of the app. We will publish another article once we have more information about this feature to share.
Stay up-to-date on WhatsApp news by following WABetaInfo on X where you can also discover other new features for WhatsApp beta for Android, iOS, Web/Desktop, and Windows.
Do you like this news? Please, let us know on X: we love hearing your feedback! If you're curious to see where you can find WABetaInfo, there is a dedicated page where you can discover our services.
In addition, we have set up a Discord Server where you can chat with other people, get help and advice, and stay up to date with the latest announcements from WABetaInfo.