Abstract:
WhatsApp is rolling out the "Restricted Chat" feature to some Android and iOS beta users, adding additional restrictions to specific conversations. Users can manually turn it on on the chat information page, and the function is turned off by default; after it is turned on, participants in the same conversation will be restricted. The feature is still in beta and WhatsApp has not yet announced when it will be rolled out to all users.
After turning on restricted chat, WhatsApp will display a system prompt in the conversation and restrict four types of operations: the media in the chat will not be automatically saved to the device album; participants cannot export the chat history; the Meta AI function cannot be used in the conversation; the chat will not be synchronized to the associated device and can only be sent and received through their respective main mobile phones. WhatsApp said that restricting associated devices will help prevent unofficial clients or AI agents from accessing chat content through associated devices.
This feature is an upgraded version of WhatsApp's "Advanced Chat Privacy". WhatsApp launched advanced chat privacy settings in 2025, which originally prevented chat exports, automatic media downloads, and restricted the use of conversation content for AI functions; this upgrade further limits restricted conversations to the main phone. At this stage, restricted chat is only available for one-on-one conversations. Relevant test versions include Android test version 2.26.39.11, and 26.39.10.20 used by some iOS test users; the function is being opened in batches, so even if you join the test plan, you may not see the switch immediately.
WhatsApp emphasizes that end-to-end encryption is always the basic protection of personal messages and calls. Regardless of whether restricted chat is enabled, messages and calls can only be viewed or listened to by the sender and recipient. In other words, restricted chat is not a necessary condition for turning on encryption, but adds control over content export, media storage, AI functions and associated device access in addition to encryption.
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