WhatsApp Starts Rolling Out Restricted Chats on Android Beta – What Does it Mean

WhatsApp is rolling out a new Restricted Chat feature to some Android beta testers. The feature is designed to give users more control over sensitive conversations by adding extra restrictions to specific chats.

Restricted Chat replaces the Advanced Chat Privacy feature. WhatsApp is also changing how the feature works by preventing restricted conversations from being accessed through linked devices.

The new feature is available to some users running WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.39.11. The rollout is gradual, so it may take some time before it reaches more beta testers.

Restricted Chat Adds Extra Privacy Controls

WhatsApp already protects messages and calls with end-to-end encryption. The new Restricted Chat option is an additional layer of control rather than a requirement for secure conversations.

The company previously tested the feature under the Advanced Chat Privacy name. However, the name could make some users believe that their conversations were not secure without the feature. The new Restricted Chat name makes it clearer that the option provides additional restrictions for selected conversations.

Users can enable Restricted Chat from the chat information screen. The option is turned off by default and must be activated manually.

For now, the feature is available only for individual chats.

What Happens When a Chat Is Restricted?

Once Restricted Chat is enabled, WhatsApp applies several limitations to the conversation. Media received in the restricted chat will not be automatically saved to the device’s gallery.

Users also cannot export the conversation. In addition, Meta AI features cannot be used inside a restricted chat.

The biggest change in the latest update is that restricted conversations cannot be accessed through linked devices.

WhatsApp displays a system message in the conversation after the feature is enabled. The message informs participants that messages can only be sent and received on their primary devices.

Linked Devices Are No Longer Supported

The linked-device restriction is one of the main changes introduced with Restricted Chat.

Previously, conversations protected by Advanced Chat Privacy could still be accessed through linked devices. The new feature removes this option for restricted conversations.

This change could also make it harder for unofficial clients and certain AI-based tools to access messages through linked devices. By blocking linked-device access for a specific conversation, WhatsApp adds another barrier against third-party tools that depend on those connections.

The restriction applies to everyone in the conversation, meaning participants cannot use linked devices to access that particular chat once it has been restricted.

See Also: WhatsApp Adds New Parental Controls For Teen Accounts and Meta AI

Gradual Rollout for Android Beta Users

WhatsApp is currently making Restricted Chat available to a limited number of Android beta testers. More users are expected to receive the feature in the coming weeks.

Those who still see Advanced Chat Privacy instead of Restricted Chat may simply have to wait for the feature to reach their accounts.

WhatsApp has not yet confirmed when Restricted Chat will be released for all Android users through the stable version of the app. The company is expected to gather feedback from beta testers before expanding the feature further.