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Chat Lock protects selected conversations behind device authentication or a Secret Code; Archive simply removes chats from your main list. Archiving does not lock or delete a chat. Choose Chat Lock for an added privacy barrier and concealed notification details, or Archive to tidy your list while keeping conversations easy to retrieve.
How Chat Lock and Archive differ
| What you want to do | Chat Lock | Archive |
|---|---|---|
| Move a chat out of the main list | Moves it to the Locked Chats folder, which you can hide with a Secret Code. | Moves it to Archived. |
| Require authentication to open it | Yes. Open Locked Chats with device authentication or a Secret Code. | No authentication barrier is described in WhatsApp’s archive instructions. |
| Hide message details in notifications | Yes. Notifications conceal the contact and message details. | Archive has separate notification behavior; details depend on settings and platform. |
| Keep the conversation | Yes, unless you separately unlock and clear locked chats. | Yes. Archiving does not delete the chat. |
| Best suited to | Adding a privacy barrier to a sensitive conversation. | Organizing chats or temporarily removing one from the main list. |
Does archiving a WhatsApp chat lock it?
No. Archiving takes a chat out of the main list, but anyone who can access Archived can open it; archiving does not require authentication. To add a barrier, use Chat Lock. For WhatsApp’s archive behavior, see its archive instructions.
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What happens when a message arrives?
Locked chats
The conversation remains in Locked Chats. Chat Lock also hides contact and message details in notifications. WhatsApp’s May 15, 2023 announcement says, “Locking a chat automatically hides the details of the conversation in notifications.” Calls from contacts in locked chats are not blocked.
Archived chats
A new message leaves a chat archived by default unless Keep chats archived is turned off on the phone. WhatsApp notes that notification and interface details can vary by platform. Check the setting on your device if you want incoming messages to bring a chat back to the main list.
#1 Best Overall
- [Compatible Models] - 3 Pack Privacy Glass Screen Protector for the iPhone 17e/iPhone 16e/iPhone 14/iPhone 13/iPhone 13 Pro(6.1 inch). Includes 3 privacy screen protectors and a cleaning kit. *Two types of packaging boxes are randomly shipped.
- [Full Coverage Protection] - This screen protector offers edge-to-edge protection for your device, using military-grade explosion-proof glass. It is also compatible with most phone cases, the appropriate size ensures that the phone case won't squeeze the screen protector after installation, providing double protection for the edges of the phone.
- [High Privacy Protection] - The necessary choice for you in public places. Select the optimal anti-peeping angles for the anti-spy coating to balance privacy and visual comfort. Protect your personal privacy and sensitive information from being seen by people nearby who might peek. To better protect your phone, 3mm nano-scale ultra-thin aviation glass is chosen as the material, it also protects your eyes from harsh light, ensuring a softer visual effect.
- [Superior Quality] Made of high-quality tempered glass, free of bubble wrap, easy to install and no residue when disassembled. Maintain the original touch experience, with a high-definition and clear hydrophobic and oleophobic screen coating to prevent fingerprints, sweat and oil residue. High-hardness glass protects your screen from drops, impacts, scratches and breaks, providing ultimate protection for your phone.
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Can someone see your locked chats?
Locked chats are kept in a separate folder. You must authenticate to open it. You can also hide the folder with a Secret Code; when hidden, find it by entering that code in search. WhatsApp says Secret Code setup for Web access must first be done on Android or iPhone. Locking a chat does not notify the other participants.
How to lock, find, or unlock a chat
WhatsApp’s exact mobile controls vary by operating system, and its current Help Center provides the relevant platform-specific steps. On desktop or Web, its instructions describe right-clicking a chat and choosing Lock chat or Unlock chat.
Rank #2
- [3 Pack] This product includes 3 pack privacy screen protectors.WORKS FOR iPhone 16/iPhone 15/iPhone 15 Pro 6.1 Inch tempered glass screen protector. Due to the rounded edge design of the iPhone 16/iPhone 15/iPhone 15 Pro and to enhance compatibility with most cases,the tempered glass screen protectors will be slightly smaller than the phone screen.[Not for iPhone 16e 6.1 inch, iPhone 15 Plus/iPhone 15 Pro Max/iPhone 16 Plus 6.7 inch,iPhone 16 Pro 6.3 inch,iPhone 16 Pro Max 6.9 inch]
- Specialty: HD rounded glass for iPhone 16/iPhone 15/iPhone 15 Pro 6.1 Inch is 99.99% touch-screen accurate.
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- High Privacy: Keeps your personal, private, and sensitive information hidden from strangers,screen is only visible to persons directly in front of screen.Good choose when you are in the bus,elevator,metro or other public occasions.(Note: Due to this privacy cover will darken the image to prevent the peeking eyes near you, you might need to turn your device display brightness up a bit when use it.)
- Online video installation instruction: Easiest Installation - removing dust and aligning it properly before actual installation,enjoy your screen as if it wasn't there.
- Lock or unlock: On your phone, follow the steps for your operating system in WhatsApp’s Chat Lock instructions. On desktop or Web, right-click the chat and select Lock chat or Unlock chat.
- Open Locked Chats: Select the folder and authenticate. If you hid the folder, enter your Secret Code in search.
- Archive or retrieve a chat: Open Archived to view archived conversations, then unarchive a chat when you want it back in the main list. Follow WhatsApp’s archive instructions for your platform.
Does unlocking and clearing locked chats delete messages?
Yes. Unlocking and clearing locked chats is a separate, destructive action: WhatsApp says it clears messages and media in those chats. You may restore only data included in the most recent backup made before clearing. If you have forgotten a hidden Secret Code, understand this consequence before using the clear option; WhatsApp explains it in its Chat Lock guidance.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- 28° Anti Spy Tempered Glass: iPhone 16/15 privacy screen is only directly visible to an immediate user in front of the screen (28° partial peep-proof, 45° entire peep-proof), protecting your personal privacy from people near you who may be peeking
- 9H Hardness & Full Coverage: The privacy screen protector is made of Military-Grade high-alumina-silicon tempered glass with 9H hardness. Full coverage design protects your screen from scratches and shatters
- 99.99% HD & Touch Sensitive: Ultra-clear material makes the iPhone 16/15 screen protector retain amazing clarity. High-quality tempered glass preserves touchscreen sensitivity allowing it to respond accurately to your touch
- Anti-Fingerprint & Anti-Oil: The iPhone 16/15 glass privacy screen protector is coated with a hydrophobic and oleophobic clear layer, protecting your iPhone's screen from daily wear
- Easy Installation & Case Friendly: The screen protector is designed for iPhone 16/15 6.1 inch. Apply it in seconds with the frame. There are suitable spaces around the Screen to be used with the phone case
Rank #4
- Perfect Fit: Designed for your iPhone 15 6.1 inch. These protectors are Slightly smaller than the screen to avoid interfering with Face ID or the front camera, ensuring case compatibility and preventing bubbling.
- True 28° Anti-Spy: The screen is visible only to the immediate user directly in front of it, providing effective privacy protection: 28° for partial peep-proof and 45° for complete peep-proof coverage. Perfect for public places like buses or elevators.
- Durable Protection: This privacy screen protector features 9H hardness tempered glass to guard against scratches, drops, and bumps. Its hydrophobic and oleophobic coating resists fingerprints and smudges.
- HD Clarity & Touch Sensitivity: This privacy glass screen protector maintains screen brightness and detail while ensuring smooth, accurate touchscreen response with minimal distortion.
- Bubble-Free & Anti-Fingerprint: The UNBREAKcable screen protector uses auto-adsorption to eliminate bubbles and a plasma oleophobic coating to resist fingerprints and smudges. Enjoy a crystal-clear, easy-to-clean screen.
Rank #3
- If bubbles appear, lift a corner of the screen protector and put it down again, and the bubbles will disappear
- [Easy to Install] The included easy installation tool allows you to align perfectly, and install the screen protector effortlessly without leaving any air bubbles
- [Premium Material] Built with 9H high hardness tempered glass. Highly protect the screen from unwanted scratches and abrasions
- [Anti-Fingerprint] The hydrophobic and oleophobic coating effectively prevents the residue of fingerprints, oil and watermark from gathering on the screen
- [Case-Friendly] Extra space is left around the borders for your case to wrap around the edges of your phone. Compatible with most phone cases
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