Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsChat Lock protects selected conversations with an authentication barrier; Archive simply removes conversations from your main chat list. Archived chats remain accessible without a lock, while locked chats go into a Locked Chats folder and hide contact and message details in notifications.
Chat Lock and Archive serve different purposes
Use Chat Lock when you want an extra barrier before someone can open a particular conversation on your phone. Use Archive when you want to tidy your chat list without deleting a conversation. Archiving does not lock, password-protect, or otherwise restrict access to a chat.
| What you want to do | Chat Lock | Archive |
|---|---|---|
| Remove a conversation from the main chat list | Moves it to Locked Chats; you can also hide that folder 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 for Archived chats. |
| Hide message and contact details in notifications | Yes. Locked-chat notifications conceal those details. | Archive has separate notification behavior; platform and settings can affect it. |
| Keep the conversation history | Yes, unless you separately choose to unlock and clear locked chats. | Yes. Archiving does not delete the conversation. |
| Best suited to | Adding a privacy barrier to a sensitive conversation. | Organizing chats or temporarily removing one from the main list. |
These distinctions follow WhatsApp’s Chat Lock instructions and archive guidance.
Does archiving a WhatsApp chat lock it?
No. An archived chat is still available under Archived and can be unarchived. It is not protected by device authentication or a Secret Code. Choose Archive for list organization, not for keeping someone who can use your unlocked phone from opening a conversation.
#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.
- [Face ID Compatible] - Precise cutting combined with high-quality glass material supports the perfect use of the Face ID function, and it can also take high-pixel photos through the front camera.
Will an archived chat come back when someone messages?
It depends on the Keep chats archived setting and platform behavior. WhatsApp says a new message leaves the chat archived by default unless Keep chats archived is turned off on the phone. Check that setting if you want conversations to stay in Archived when new messages arrive; notification and interface details can vary by platform.
Can someone see my locked chats?
Locked chats are in the Locked Chats folder, which requires authentication to open. You can hide the folder with a Secret Code; when it is hidden, find it by entering that code in search. WhatsApp’s current instructions say to set up the Secret Code on Android or iPhone before using it on WhatsApp Web. Locking a chat does not notify the other participants.
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.
- 99.99% High-definition hydrophobic and oleophobic screen coating protects against sweat and oil residue from fingerprints. Featuring maximum protection from scratches, scrapes, and bumps.
- 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.
Do locked chats hide notifications?
Yes. WhatsApp hides the contact and message details in notifications for locked chats. Depending on language, a notification may show “WhatsApp” or “WhatsApp: 1 new message” instead of identifying the sender or displaying message content. WhatsApp described the behavior in its May 15, 2023 Chat Lock announcement: “Locking a chat automatically hides the details of the conversation in notifications.”
How to lock, find, or unlock a chat
WhatsApp’s steps differ by platform. Its Chat Lock Help Center instructions provide the current platform-specific controls:
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
- On mobile: Use the Android or iPhone instructions; the action may involve a long press or the chat’s settings.
- On desktop or Web: WhatsApp describes right-clicking the chat and choosing Lock chat or Unlock chat.
- To open a locked chat: Open Locked Chats and authenticate. If you hid the folder, enter your Secret Code in search.
For Archive, open Archived to view conversations there, then unarchive a chat when you want it back in the main list. The Archive action keeps the conversation; it does not delete it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What Chat Lock does not do
- It does not block calls. Calls from contacts in locked chats are not blocked.
- It does not alert the other participants. WhatsApp says they are not notified when you lock a chat.
- It does not automatically clear the chat history. Unlocking and clearing locked chats is a separate, destructive action.
If you unlock and clear locked chats to recover from a forgotten hidden Secret Code, WhatsApp says messages, photos, and videos in those chats will be cleared. You can restore only data present in the most recent backup made before clearing, according to its Chat Lock recovery guidance.
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.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
