WhatsApp is testing a new Restricted Chat feature designed to give users greater control over sensitive conversations. The feature is currently rolling out gradually to select beta testers on Android and iPhone.

Restricted Chat is an upgraded version of WhatsApp’s earlier Advanced Chat Privacy setting, with an additional restriction aimed at keeping protected conversations away from linked devices.

What Does Restricted Chat Do?

When enabled for a conversation, Restricted Chat introduces several limits. Media from the chat will not automatically be saved to the device gallery, the conversation cannot be exported, and Meta AI features cannot be used within that chat.

The new version also prevents the restricted conversation from being accessed through linked devices. Messages in that chat can instead be sent and received only from the user’s primary device.

Why Is the Feature Important?

The linked-device restriction could be particularly useful for users who want to prevent unofficial apps or AI tools that rely on linked-device access from reading messages in a protected conversation.

However, Restricted Chat is an optional privacy layer, not a replacement for WhatsApp’s standard security. WhatsApp says messages and calls remain protected by end-to-end encryption regardless of whether the feature is enabled.

Who Can Use It?

The feature is currently limited to a portion of beta testers. On Android, it is rolling out with WhatsApp beta version 2.26.39.11, while selected iPhone users can access it through WhatsApp beta version 26.39.10.20 on TestFlight. A wider public release date has not yet been announced.

The Bottom Line

WhatsApp’s Restricted Chat feature gives users another way to protect sensitive conversations by limiting exports, media saving, AI access and linked-device availability. For now, however, it remains a beta feature rather than a standard option available to everyone.