If by “restrict a conversation” you mean WhatsApp’s Chat Lock, the other people in that chat are not notified when you lock it. Chat Lock adds an authentication gate on your device and hides identifying details in notifications; it does not hide or delete the other participant’s copy, stop them from messaging you, or block their calls.
WhatsApp also uses the separate label Restricted chat for a setting that limits unofficial clients or AI agents. That is not the hidden-folder feature. WhatsApp’s privacy settings guidance explains that terminology.
Can someone see if I locked our WhatsApp chat?
No notification is sent to the other participants. WhatsApp Help Center states, “When you lock a chat, the other people in the chat aren’t notified.” The locked-chat folder and its authentication gate affect access on your device; they do not remove messages already visible in another participant’s account. Someone could still draw their own conclusions from circumstances outside WhatsApp’s notification behavior, so the feature should not be treated as a guarantee that nobody will infer you locked the chat.
WhatsApp describes Chat Lock as an extra authentication layer for selected chats. Its Chat Lock guidance covers locking, notifications, calls, secret codes and recovery.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- [2 Pack] This product includes 2 pack privacy screen protectors.WORKS FOR iPhone 17e/16e/14/iPhone 13/13 Pro 6.1 Inch tempered glass screen protector.Featuring maximum protection from scratches, scrapes, and bumps.[Not for iPhone 16 6.1 inch, iPhone 13 mini 5.4 inch, iPhone 13 Pro Max/iPhone 14 Pro Max/iPhone 14 Plus 6.7 inch, iPhone 14 Pro 6.1 inch]
- Specialty: to enhance compatibility with most cases, the Tempered glass does not cover the entire screen. HD ultra-clear rounded glass for iPhone 17e/16e/14/iPhone 13/13 Pro is 99.99% touch-screen accurate.
- 99.99% High-definition clear hydrophobic and oleophobic screen coating protects against sweat and oil residue from fingerprints.
- 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 show the name or message in notifications?
Notifications for locked chats hide the contact’s identifying information and message content. WhatsApp says they display “WhatsApp” or “WhatsApp: 1 new message” instead of the contact’s name. This conceals the preview on your device, not the message in the recipient’s or other participants’ chat.
Does locking a WhatsApp chat stop calls?
No. Calls from contacts whose chats are locked are not blocked. Chat Lock is for restricting access to the conversation view on your device, not for stopping contact.
Rank #2
- [3+3 Pack] This product includes 3 pack privacy screen protectors and 3 pack camera lens protectors with Installation Frame. Works For iPhone 16 [6.1 inch] tempered glass screen protector and camera lens protector. Featuring maximum protection from scratches, scrapes, and bumps. [Not for iPhone 16e 6.1 inch, iPhone 16 Pro 6.3 inch, iPhone 16 Pro Max 6.9 inch, iPhone 16 Plus 6.7 inch]
- Night shooting function: specially designed iPhone 16 6.1 Inch camera lens protective film. The camera lens protector adopts the new technology of "seamless" integration of augmented reality, with light transmittance and night shooting function, without the need to design the flash hole position, when the flash is turned on at night, the original quality of photos and videos can be restored.
- 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.)
- Easiest Installation - Please watch our installation video tutorial before installation. Removing dust and aligning it properly with the help of the included installation frame before actual installation, enjoy your screen as if it wasn't there.
- 99.99% High-definition clear hydrophobic and oleophobic screen coating protects against sweat and oil residue from fingerprints, and enhance the visibility of the screen.
If you want to stop a person’s direct messages, calls and status updates, blocking is the relevant control. WhatsApp says a blocked person cannot see your last seen, online status, status updates or profile-photo changes. Blocking does not remove the existing chat, and it does not conceal messages exchanged in a group you both belong to. See WhatsApp’s guidance on reporting and blocking.
Is restricting a chat the same as blocking or archiving?
No. These controls solve different problems. “Restrict” is ambiguous: Chat Lock hides a conversation behind authentication, while the distinct Restricted chat setting concerns unofficial clients and AI agents.
Rank #3
- [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.
| Action | What it does | What it does not do |
|---|---|---|
| Chat Lock | Hides a selected chat behind device authentication or a secret code and conceals contact and message details in notifications. | Does not notify other participants or block calls. |
| Restricted chat | According to WhatsApp’s privacy settings page, limits the use of unofficial clients or AI agents in individual and group chats. | Is not the hidden, authenticated folder provided by Chat Lock. |
| Archive | Moves a chat out of the main chat list while preserving it in Archived. Archived chats generally stay archived when new messages arrive; notifications are suppressed except for mentions or replies. | Does not delete the chat or put it behind Chat Lock authentication. See WhatsApp’s archive and unarchive guidance. |
| Block | Stops direct messages, calls and status updates from the blocked account, and hides specified profile and presence details from that person. | Does not remove the existing chat or conceal messages in a group both people share. |
What is “Restricted chat” on WhatsApp?
Restricted chat is a privacy-setting label, not another name for Chat Lock. WhatsApp says it limits the use of unofficial clients or AI agents in individual and group chats. Its privacy settings page says the setting appears as Restricted chat when Advanced chat privacy is turned off. That label does not mean the conversation has been moved into Chat Lock’s hidden folder.
How do you manage locked chats, and what happens if you forget the code?
WhatsApp’s instructions cover Android and iPhone for creating a secret code and managing hide or unhide settings. Its Web instructions say opening locked chats requires the secret code, and the Help Center page also has Windows and Mac tabs. Exact labels and steps can vary by platform and language, so follow the instructions for the device you use rather than assuming one universal menu path. Locked chats close when the device is locked. Restoring a backup on a new phone does not itself unlock them; device authentication must be set up to access them. Calls from locked-chat contacts can still come through.
Rank #4
- [Auto-Dusting Removal Installation] Includes everything you need with innovative automatic positioning, dust removal, and absorption technology, making the installation is just effortlessly easy in seconds. The installation tool is exclusively designed for Apple iPhone 13 6.1 inch, it will help you to install screen protectors without air Bubbles or imperfections, even if you don't have any experience.
- True 25° Privacy Protection: Most privacy protector on the market only gives 30° viewing, IMBZBK's Privacy Coatings made of new materials from Germany with Microlourver Optical Technology, It offers optimum 25° degree peep (Smaller viewing angles mean stronger privacy protection). The screen is only visible to persons directly in front of the screen, maximum protection For your privacy & sensitive information, even your friends or colleagues sitting next to you also can't see on your messages.
- Military-Grade Shatterproof Protection: IMBZBK’s screen protector sets a new industry standard with Aerospace-Grade Glass and Nano-Ceramic Fusion technology, providing 10X stronger protection than standard 9H glass. Certified by international Military Standards and SGS, it offers 10X stronger protection against scratches, bumps, and drops. Rigorously tested with 220 lbs impacts, 10-foot drops, and 10,000+ scratches, it ensures your phone remains unscathed in any environment.
- Frontal Ultra HD & Original Touch: IMBZBK's privacy protector break through the defects of the blurred picture of the privacy glass films on the market, highly restore the best visual feast brought by the screen. Even more special...Our 0.28mm ultra-thin privacy glass innovatively applied a 9th gen oleophobic nano coating (top-notch skin-friendly), effectively reduces fingerprints, oil residue by 98% to make it smoother than the original screen!
- Camera Protector & Face ID Compatible: IMBZBK's camera protector made of 9H glass effectively protect entire lens from drops, scratches, other accidents. Nano electrostatic Automatic Adsorption Technology, easy installation and not easy to fall off. Special designed black circle compatible Night Shooting Function, brings you the original of beauty to every photo and video. Due to the precise opening for the front camera, the screen protector does not interfere with the Face ID feature.
If the locked-chat folder is hidden and you forget the secret code, WhatsApp describes an “unlock and clear” recovery path. Read the consequence before using it:
- It clears the secret code and returns locked chats to the chat list.
- It also clears messages and media in those locked chats, including photos and videos.
- WhatsApp says restoration is possible only from a backup made before clearing, and that backup contains only content sent before it was made.
Can you hide your online status, profile photo or phone number with Chat Lock?
No. Chat Lock controls access to selected conversations; it does not change account-level privacy settings. WhatsApp lets you configure who can see profile and presence information such as online status, profile photo, About and Status. A phone number cannot be hidden while using WhatsApp. These controls are described separately in WhatsApp’s privacy settings guidance.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Quick Recap
Best Value
- [Auto-Dusting Removal Installation] Includes everything you need with innovative automatic positioning, dust removal, and absorption technology, making the installation is just effortlessly easy in seconds. The installation tool is exclusively designed for Apple iPhone 14 6.1 inch, it will help you to install screen protectors without air Bubbles or imperfections, even if you don't have any experience.
- True 25° Privacy Protection: Most privacy protector on the market only gives 30° viewing, IMBZBK's Privacy Coatings made of new materials from Germany with Microlourver Optical Technology, It offers optimum 25° degree peep (Smaller viewing angles mean stronger privacy protection). The screen is only visible to persons directly in front of the screen, maximum protection For your privacy & sensitive information, even your friends or colleagues sitting next to you also can't see on your messages.
- Military-Grade Shatterproof Protection: IMBZBK’s screen protector sets a new industry standard with Aerospace-Grade Glass and Nano-Ceramic Fusion technology, providing 10X stronger protection than standard 9H glass. Certified by international Military Standards and SGS, it offers 10X stronger protection against scratches, bumps, and drops. Rigorously tested with 220 lbs impacts, 10-foot drops, and 10,000+ scratches, it ensures your phone remains unscathed in any environment.
- Frontal Ultra HD & Original Touch: IMBZBK's privacy protector break through the defects of the blurred picture of the privacy glass films on the market, highly restore the best visual feast brought by the screen. Even more special...Our 0.28mm ultra-thin privacy glass innovatively applied a 9th gen oleophobic nano coating (top-notch skin-friendly), effectively reduces fingerprints, oil residue by 98% to make it smoother than the original screen!
- Camera Protector & Face ID Compatible: IMBZBK's camera protector made of 9H glass effectively protect entire lens from drops, scratches, other accidents. Nano electrostatic Automatic Adsorption Technology, easy installation and not easy to fall off. Special designed black circle compatible Night Shooting Function, brings you the original of beauty to every photo and video. Due to the precise opening for the front camera, the screen protector does not interfere with the Face ID feature.
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.
