WhatsApp’s new Restricted Chat is an optional, per-conversation set of controls that limits how a chat’s content can be saved, exported, used with Meta AI, and accessed on linked devices. As of October 2, 2026, WABetaInfo reported it was gradually rolling out to some Android beta testers; WhatsApp had not announced a stable-release date. Ordinary personal WhatsApp messages are already end-to-end encrypted by default—Restricted Chat adds handling and access restrictions, rather than turning encryption on.
What is Restricted Chat on WhatsApp?
Restricted Chat is a setting users can reportedly enable for an individual conversation from that chat’s info screen. It is off by default, and its restrictions apply to everyone in the conversation. WABetaInfo described the feature in its October 2, 2026 report as an optional layer of control, not a requirement for secure messaging.
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The reported controls affect what people can do with the conversation’s content and where they can access it. They do not replace WhatsApp’s existing encryption for personal messages and calls.
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What does Restricted Chat do?
According to WABetaInfo’s observation of WhatsApp beta software, enabling the setting applies these restrictions to the conversation:
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How do you enable Restricted Chat?
WABetaInfo reported that the setting is accessed from the conversation’s chat info screen. The precise interface labels and availability may change as WhatsApp tests the feature. WhatsApp’s Help Center did not provide readable, definitive instructions for Restricted Chat in the material available for this report.
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- Open the individual conversation you want to restrict.
- Open its chat info screen.
- Look for the Restricted Chat setting and enable it, if it is available in your version of WhatsApp.
Who can use it, and does it work on WhatsApp Web?
As of October 2, 2026, WABetaInfo reported that the feature was rolling out gradually to some Android beta testers and identified WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.39.11 as a compatible update. The report did not confirm general availability or a stable-release date.
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Restricted Chat makes the conversation unavailable on linked devices, so a restricted chat cannot be accessed through WhatsApp Web or another linked device while that restriction applies. The report describes the feature as applying to individual conversations; it does not establish support for group chats or other platforms.
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Does Restricted Chat make WhatsApp messages encrypted?
No. WhatsApp says personal messages and calls are end-to-end encrypted by default, using the Signal protocol, and that WhatsApp and Meta cannot read those personal messages. Restricted Chat is an additional control over handling and access, not the switch that encrypts an ordinary personal conversation. WhatsApp distinguishes personal conversations from some business conversations that use Meta as a cloud storage provider, and from direct interactions with Meta AI.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How is it different from Chat Lock?
Chat Lock is a separate feature. WhatsApp Help Center search material describes Chat Lock as hiding chats behind authentication and hiding message content and contact information in notifications. Restricted Chat, as reported in beta, focuses on limiting media auto-save, exports, Meta AI use in the conversation, and linked-device access. The available information does not establish a complete feature-by-feature comparison or current cross-platform availability for both settings.
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