WhatsApp Rolls Out Restricted Chat Feature to Beta Users
WhatsApp is testing a Restricted Chat feature that locks specific conversations to a primary device and blocks access from linked devices and AI agents.
WhatsApp has begun rolling out a new privacy feature called Restricted Chat to select beta testers on Android and iOS. Originally developed as Advanced Chat Privacy, the tool was renamed to avoid confusion with the platform's existing end-to-end encryption. The feature allows users to manually lock specific individual conversations to their primary smartphone, preventing them from syncing to linked devices such as laptops, tablets, or secondary phones.
Once enabled via the chat info screen, Restricted Chat imposes four primary limitations: it blocks access from linked devices, disables the automatic saving of media to the device gallery, prohibits chat history exports, and turns off Meta AI integration within the conversation. These restrictions apply to all participants in the chat.
WhatsApp stated that these measures are intended to prevent unofficial clients and external AI agents from accessing private discussions through the linked device protocol. The company clarified that the feature serves as an additional control and does not alter the end-to-end encryption that protects all messages and calls. The tool is currently available to beta users on Android versions 2.26.36.4 and 2.26.39.11, and iOS version 26.39.10.20, though a general public release date has not been announced.
