WhatsApp Tests Restricted Chat for Sensitive Conversations
WhatsApp has begun testing Restricted Chat with selected Android and iOS beta users. The feature is intended to give account holders more control over sensitive conversations, but the company has not yet specified which chat actions it will restrict or when the option may reach all users.
WhatsApp is testing a new feature aimed at limiting actions involving sensitive conversations, giving users an additional layer of control over private chats. Restricted Chat began testing on October 4, 2026, with selected Android and iOS users enrolled in the beta program.
The feature is not yet available to everyone. WhatsApp has not announced a general release date or detailed which activities Restricted Chat will block, leaving the scope of its protections unclear for now.
Limited beta availability
Android users can try Restricted Chat in WhatsApp beta version 2.26.36.4. On iOS, the feature is listed in update version 26.39.10.20.
Having the app installed does not guarantee access. Users who are not part of the beta program may not see the option, and even beta participants may receive it at different times.
WhatsApp is developing Restricted Chat as a follow-up to Advanced Chat Privacy. The new option is intended to give account holders more control over the confidentiality of private conversations by limiting certain actions that could expose chat contents.
But the announcement available so far does not specify which actions will be restricted or how users can turn the feature on. The name points to limits within a conversation, but the exact protections remain undisclosed.
What the test could mean for users
For people sharing sensitive information, the feature could offer another way to manage how chat contents are handled. Its practical value, however, will depend on the restrictions WhatsApp eventually confirms. The company has not said whether the feature will affect all chats or only conversations users choose to protect.
The limited test gives developers a chance to gather feedback and check how the feature works across devices and operating systems before considering a wider release. WhatsApp has not provided details on the testing schedule or when it will decide whether to expand access.
Beta users can check for app updates and look for the option in their accounts. The listed versions are a reference for the test, not a guarantee that every participant will receive access immediately.
Restricted Chat remains in limited testing. WhatsApp has yet to disclose the precise restrictions or a release schedule for users outside the beta program.
