Doha:WhatsApp is introducing a new privacy feature called Restricted Chat, which enables users to keep selected conversations confined to their primary phone. This prevents these chats from appearing on linked devices such as computers, tablets, and secondary phones.
According to Qatar News Agency, the feature is an upgraded version of WhatsApp's existing Advanced Chat Privacy tool and is currently being rolled out to a limited number of beta testers on Android and iOS. Android users can access it on beta version 2.26.39.11, while iOS users are receiving it on version 26.39.10.20.
When enabled, a restricted conversation will not sync to linked devices, and messages can be sent and received only through the primary device. This adds a layer of protection for conversations that users do not want accessible through WhatsApp Web, desktop applications, or other linked devices.
The feature is accessible from the chat information screen and is disabled by default. It applies only to individual conversations and is being distributed gradually, so it may not be immediately available to all beta testers. WhatsApp has not specified a date for a wider public release.
Restricted Chat also maintains the privacy controls previously available through Advanced Chat Privacy. It ensures that media shared in the conversation is not automatically saved to the device's gallery, the chat cannot be exported, and Meta AI features cannot be used within the conversation.
The restriction on linked devices is significant as it also blocks access by unofficial clients and AI agents that use linked-device connections to access WhatsApp conversations. By keeping a restricted chat on the primary device, WhatsApp closes that access route for the selected conversation.
WhatsApp has clarified that Restricted Chat is an additional privacy control rather than a requirement for secure messaging. Messages and calls are still protected by end-to-end encryption, regardless of whether the feature is enabled. The renaming from Advanced Chat Privacy to Restricted Chat aims to emphasize that regular WhatsApp conversations are already secure.