Hadlee Simons / Android Authority
long story short
- WhatsApp is working on extending its locked chat feature to linked devices.
- WhatsApp is also testing the ability to mention specific contacts privately in status updates.
WhatsApp, the widely used messaging platform, is gearing up to roll out some major updates aimed at optimizing user privacy and engagement. wabeta information co., ltd. These features were discovered in the latest beta version of the app.
First, WhatsApp is working on enhancing chat privacy by bringing the locked chat feature to linked devices. This feature was discovered in the WhatsApp Beta update for Android version 2.24.8.4, which is available on the Google Play Store.
Currently, the ability to lock chats with a passcode is limited to the primary device, leaving potentially sensitive conversations exposed on linked devices. With this update, users will be able to protect sensitive conversations on all connected devices.
To enable locked chat on a linked device, users need to create a password in their primary phone’s chat lock settings. When this code is configured, locked chats are hidden from the standard chat list and can only be accessed after entering a password on the linked device.
WhatsApp has also introduced a new way to interact with status updates. Users will soon be able to privately mention specific contacts in their status posts. The feature, which appears in WhatsApp Beta for iOS 24.7.10.71, is designed to increase engagement and alert specific contacts when they are mentioned in a shared status.
When a contact is mentioned, a private notification will be sent to them. Importantly, only named contacts will see that they are mentioned in status reports, ensuring that mentions remain confidential. This is in contrast to Instagram Story mentions, which are visible to others.
The updates are currently in development, but WhatsApp users on Android and iOS can expect the features to be widely available soon.