Time and again the popular instant messaging platform WhatsApp has said that all chats exchanged on the platform are end-to-end encrypted. In simple words, it means, neither WhatsApp nor the parent company Meta can read your personal chats with your boyfriend or best friend. The company also says that all calls happening on the platform are also encrypted. But, business communications happen in a different manner and are not fully encrypted.

Even though the chats are encrypted, the Meta owned instant messaging platform WhatsApp offers several security features for users to keep their chats and data safe. One of these features is screen lock. The feature is available on both Android and iOS platform. The WhatsApp screen lock feature works with fingerprint as well as face unlock.

The feature was introduced years ago but is still relevant, especially with rising cyber-attacks worldwide. So, if you have important chats/media files stored in your WhatsApp account, we suggest you enable the screen lock feature immediately. Here’s a step-by-step guide to lock WhatsApp screen on Android and iOS.

Enable WhatsApp screen lock on Android

Step 1: Update the WhatsApp app from Google Play store. Next, open the app.

Step 2: Click on the three-dot option shown at the top right corner of the screen.

Step 3: Head over to the Settings menu next.

Step 4: Then click on Account option in the list.

Step 5: Tap on Privacy.

Step 6: Scroll down and tap on Fingerprint lock option there.

Step 7: Lastly, you will need to enable the toggle next to Unlock with fingerprint.

It should be noted that if your device has a fingerprint lock, you will not need to set it up for WhatsApp separately. Once the screen lock feature is enabled, you will need to input the PIN or biometric every time you open the app.

Enable WhatsApp screen lock on iPhone

Step 1: Update WhatsApp app from Apple App store and open the app.

Step 2: Head over to the Settings menu shown at the right side of the mobile screen.

Step 3: Click on the Account option in the list.

Step 4: Next, you will need to tap on privacy option.

Step 5: Scroll down and click on Screen Lock option.

Step 6: You will need to enable the toggle here.

Just like Android, if your iPhone has a FaceID/fingerprint lock enabled, you will not need to set it up for WhatsApp separately. Most of the latest iPhones come with FaceID support only, models like iPhone SE (2022) and (2020) are exceptions. So, once the screen lock feature is enabled, you will need to input the PIN or biometric every time you open the app.