It is possible to make locked WhatsApp conversations accessible by accessing the specific folder of protected chats, on both Android and iPhone phones. To unlock, the user must select the desired chat, use the 'Unlock conversation' function, and finalize the operation by entering a password or biometric authentication.
When a group or individual conversation is unlocked, it immediately returns to the main 'Chats' tab, becoming visible to anyone who has access to the unlocked device. Consequently, the message history loses the additional layer of privacy that the application offers.
To unlock a hidden conversation, the process begins by opening WhatsApp on the Android or iPhone device and swiping down the screen to locate the 'Locked Chats' folder. If this folder is hidden, you need to type the secret code in the search field to find it.
Next, the user must press and hold the conversation or group they intend to unlock. The next step is to tap the 'Unlock conversation' option within WhatsApp. On Android, this option can be viewed by tapping the three-dot icon located in the upper right corner.
The unlocking action must be confirmed using the configured biometrics or password. There is also a method to make the locked chats folder visible without the secret code: open WhatsApp, enter the access code in 'Locked Chats', open the folder, tap the three dots (on Android) or 'Settings' (in the upper right corner), deactivate the key for the 'Hide locked chats' option, and confirm with 'Continue'. After this, access will be granted via biometrics or password, and the individual unlocking process must be followed.
WhatsApp does not have a native feature to unlock multiple chats simultaneously while keeping all history intact; the procedure must be done individually. However, the application has a function to unlock all conversations at once, but this action results in the deletion of all messages and media contained in the hidden chats. To use it, you must navigate to Settings > Privacy > Locked Chats > Unlock and clear locked chats.
There are several factors that can prevent access to locked conversations. One of them is the deactivation of biometric authentication or PIN, since the application requires the system screen lock to be active. Another reason is using an incorrect or forgotten secret code, as access to the hidden folder depends exclusively on this password. Synchronization issues in WhatsApp Web or desktop can also occur, as computer applications require the code to be validated previously on the smartphone.
Finally, cache errors or the use of outdated versions of the application or operating system can cause software failures. Such inconsistencies are corrected by updating through the iPhone App Store or the Android Play Store, which restores the correct validation of security credentials.
The center is considering the introduction of unified standards for messenger platforms operating in India amid disagreements arising from WhatsApp's proposal for a user name feature. According to a report by The Hindustan Times, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is studying the creation of a common regulatory framework that would apply to all services, instead of making platform-specific decisions.
This step followed the government's decision to oppose WhatsApp's plan to introduce user names, which would allow users to communicate without needing to share phone numbers. The government expressed concerns that this feature could facilitate scammers impersonating other users, promote digital arrests and phishing attacks, and complicate law enforcement investigations.
According to the report, the government is now insisting on a uniform approach to all messengers. An official source familiar with the matter stated that it is necessary to establish common standards for platforms so that decisions have legal justification. He emphasized: 'It cannot be that the government bans one platform from launching a feature while allowing others to continue offering the same thing. The rules must be the same for everyone.'
Before making a final decision, the government intends to hold consultations with all major messenger platforms. The Ministry of Information Technology sent notifications to WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal requesting detailed information on how their user name features address issues related to fraud and impersonation. Government sources reported that responses from WhatsApp and Telegram have already been received and are under review, but the content of these responses has not been made public, and neither company has officially commented on the situation.
Previously, the Center had asked WhatsApp to postpone the launch of the user name feature in India until consultations with the government were complete. WhatsApp subsequently assured the government that it would not launch this feature in the country before the discussions concluded. This issue attracted significant attention due to WhatsApp's dominant position in India, where it has about 500 million users, significantly exceeding the number of users of competitors such as Telegram and Signal.
