ABC to put passwords on WhatsApp for your private chats

WhatsApp has established itself as one of the most popular messaging apps, amassing more than two billion active users across the planet. The app lets you exchange instant messages, make voice and video calls, send multimedia files and share important moments through your statuses.

Likewise, other options in WhatsApp include the possibility to protect the information stored in each conversation, such as end-to-end encryption, two-step verification and, more recently, the possibility to protect specific conversations using passwords or biometric identification.

Although these tools are useful, many users don't know they can benefit from the extra security they provide. Especially when it comes to keeping certain conversations away from prying eyes.

Although many users rely on phone security measures such as pattern or fingerprint, these measures may not be enough when it comes to keeping specific conversations under additional protection.

WhatsApp offers a useful solution for those who want to protect their private messages: the option to control chats using a password or biometric identification. This extra layer of security ensures that even if someone unlocks your phone, they won't be able to access restricted chats without proper authorization.

This feature allows you to block private chats, which means that even if the app is open, selected chats will be hidden and can only be opened by the owner using a key or authentication method.

This is especially useful for those who trust people but allow them access to their device. They prefer to keep certain messages completely private.

The process of controlling a chat on WhatsApp is simple, although it varies slightly depending on the device being used. Be it iPhone or Android. Below are the steps to enable this feature on both platforms:

• Open WhatsApp app on iPhone.
• Select the conversation you want to control.
• Press and hold the speaker for a few seconds until the options menu appears.
• In the menu that appears, select the “Control Chat” option.
• WhatsApp will notify you that the chat will be restricted and hidden from the general view of the conversations.

Once blocked, access to that conversation is protected by Apple's facial recognition system, Face ID. This ensures that only the iPhone owner can open and view messages from that chat.

• Enter WhatsApp and select the conversation to protect.
• Click the three dots in the upper right corner to open the options menu.
• In the menu, select the “Control Chat” option.
• WhatsApp will notify you that the chat will be restricted and hidden.

On Android devices, Access to restricted chats can be secured using face or fingerprint authenticationDepending on the phone's security capabilities.

The chat control feature on WhatsApp offers many benefits to those who seek more privacy in their conversations. Among the main advantages, they highlight that unlike other applications that allow access to the entire application, this WhatsApp function allows you to hide and protect private conversations.

For its part, although the device can be unlocked in situations where the phone is lost or stolen, Restricted chats are inaccessible without password or biometric authentication.

Also, users can decide which conversations to protect, allowing them to manage their privacy in a more personalized and specific way. In addition, this feature is easy to implement and does not require advanced technical knowledge.

Likewise, it's a good idea to use this feature in conjunction with other security measures like two-step authentication to ensure comprehensive security of accounts and conversations.