WhatsApp Develops Feature to Keep Chats on Main Device Only

Sep 11, 2026

76 min

Sep 11, 2026 19:30

WhatsApp is working on chats that won't appear on your other devices

## New Privacy Feature in Development

WhatsApp is working on a new privacy feature called Restricted Chat, designed to keep certain conversations confined to a user's primary phone. This feature, discovered in the WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.36.5, aims to prevent selected chats from appearing on linked devices such as laptops, tablets, or secondary phones.

## How It Works

Once activated, Restricted Chat will ensure that specific conversations do not sync with WhatsApp Web, desktop applications, or any other connected devices. This feature is still under development and not yet available to beta testers, with no official release date announced.

## Enhanced Privacy Options

Restricted Chat builds on WhatsApp's existing Advanced Chat Privacy settings, which already offer protections like preventing chat exports and stopping media from being saved automatically. The new feature adds an extra layer by keeping conversations off linked devices entirely.

## Potential Benefits

This development could be particularly useful for those who use WhatsApp on shared or work computers, as it would prevent sensitive conversations from being accessible on those devices. It also offers additional security against unofficial clients or tools that operate through linked-device sessions.

## Awaiting Release

While the feature is promising, it's important to note that finding it in a beta version does not guarantee a public rollout. WhatsApp often tests features extensively before deciding on a wider release. Users should not confuse Restricted Chat with the existing Chat Lock feature, which requires additional authentication but does not prevent conversations from appearing on linked devices.

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