
Keeping your chats private can be a huge concern, especially when you are using online messaging platforms. Your chats are always prone to being hacked by unauthorized access. To combat these security issues, WhatsApp has introduced the Chat Lock mechanism.
WhatsApp Chat Lock is a unique feature of the app that allows users to lock their chats- individual and group. This allows users to keep all messages private. However, in some situations, the users may notice chat lock not showing in WhatsApp. This is probably due to some restrictions or errors.
You may have to adopt a wide range of methods to fix this situation. In this blog, we will guide you on how to fix chat lock now showing in WhatsApp.

In this article
Part 1: WhatsApp Chat Lock Mechanism: A Basic Overview
A lot of users are skeptical about sharing information on a messaging platform. WhatsApp is also one of those platforms. In order to prevent these external problems, WhatsApp has integrated an excellent security feature known as the WhatsApp Chat Lock.
The WhatsApp Chat Lock feature allows users to lock their chats to overcome privacy concerns. Therefore, no one will be able to gain any unauthorized access to your chats. With the help of WhatsApp Chat Lock, users can lock specific chats with authentication methods.

All the sensitive information in the chats will be private. As a user, you may also use this feature to lock group chats, adding an extra layer of privacy to your group conversations. You will be able to access these only with biometric authentication or a device password.
Part 2: Why Is the Chat Lock Option Not Showing in WhatsApp?
The issue of the WhatsApp chat lock not working on your device is a common issue. Therefore, you must not be worried about it. Here are some of the common reasons why chat lock option not showing in WhatsApp:
- You are using an outdated or old version of WhatsApp.
- There are some glitches or bugs in WhatsApp preventing this feature.
- You are using an older phone that does not support the latest features or versions of WhatsApp, especially the Chat Lock feature.
- The phone has an older operating system.
Part 3: How to Fix Chat Lock Not Showing in WhatsApp?
It can be very frustrating when you want to lock some chats but aren't able to do so. Several people have often reported experiencing chat lock not working in WhatsApp. If you are one of those too, you need to adopt proper measures to fix it.
Below are some methods that you can adopt to fix chat lock not showing in WhatsApp:
Method | Steps |
Update WhatsApp | Open Play Store or App Store and search for WhatsApp……[Full Steps] |
Check Device Compatibility | Search for more information about the feature and check if your device is compatible……[Read More] |
Reinstall WhatsApp | Delete the app and reinstall it from Play Store or App Store……[Read More] |
Clear WhatsApp Cache | Open the Settings app and navigate to Apps……[Full Steps] |
Contact WhatsApp Support | Launch WhatsApp and go to Settings……[Full Steps] |
Restart WhatsApp | Close the app and wait for seconds……[Full Steps] |
Check WhatsApp Beta | Open Google Play website on a browser and search WhatsApp beta……[Full Steps] |
Method 1: Update WhatsApp
One of the easiest ways to fix chat lock not showing in WhatsApp is to update the app. You must have the latest version of the app in your software so that you can get the best. Moreover, sometimes outdated versions may not have all the features and can lead to bugs as well.
Below are the steps you'll have to follow to update WhatsApp:
Step 1: Open Play Store or App Store on your devices respectively. Search for WhatsApp.

Step 2: Tap on WhatsApp to open it. If there is an update available, the Update option will be available right next to Uninstall.

Step 3: Once the update is complete, open WhatsApp and tap on the chat that you want to lock.
Step 4: Hit the Chat Lock option to lock the chat.
Method 2: Check Device Compatibility
Sometimes, you may experience a chat lock not working in WhatsApp because of device incompatibility. Therefore, before taking any drastic measures, you must check the device's compatibility.

WhatsApp updates its features periodically, which may not align with the device configurations. Therefore, if the device is incompatible, you may not be able to access the feature properly.
Method 3: Reinstall WhatsApp
If you encounter the chat lock not working in WhatsApp, delete the app, install it again, and check. It is often said that reinstalling WhatsApp can help to fix a wide range of issues. You open WhatsApp in the Play Store and uninstall it. After some time, reinstall WhatsApp on your device.

When you uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp on your phone, you are automatically clearing the cache and app data. Furthermore, you will get updated versions of WhatsApp, which may come with new features. This can easily fix chat lock not showing in WhatsApp. However, uninstalling WhatsApp can suddenly lead to data loss, which is why you must make a backup before installation.
Method 4: Clear WhatsApp Cache
Excessive WhatsApp cache can hamper your device, too. Therefore, such situations may lead to the WhatsApp chat lock not working on your device. Therefore, you must consider clearing WhatsApp cache and data from your device to overcome the issue.
Below are the steps you'll need to follow to clear WhatsApp cache:
Step 1: Open the Settings section on your device.

Step 2: Navigate to Apps. Then, click on WhatsApp under it. Tap on it to open the WhatsApp data.
Step 3: The WhatsApp app info option will open up. Click on the Storage and Cache option.

Step 4: You must first click on Clear Storage and then Click on Clear Cache. Confirm to initiate these methods.

Once you clear storage and cache, you will have to log in to your WhatsApp again using the same credentials. Once logged in, you must check if the chat lock is not showing in the WhatsApp issue has been fixed. However, before you clear the cache, make sure to back up the recent chats so that you don't end up losing any important information.
Method 5: Contact WhatsApp Customer Support
It can get extremely annoying when you're constantly facing a chat lock that is not working on WhatsApp. Since WhatsApp may contain private and sensitive information, you may not want anyone else to read it. If you haven't been able to fix the problem manually or via software, you will have to connect with the WhatsApp Customer Support team.
The WhatsApp customer support team is active and can play an important role in fixing the issue. Sometimes, the option may not be visible because the feature is still unavailable in the region. The WhatsApp customer support team can help you understand how to fix the chat lock that is not showing on WhatsApp.
Follow the steps given below to contact the WhatsApp customer support team:
Step 1: Launch WhatsApp on your phone.
Step 2: Navigate to Settings.
Step 3: Choose the Help section and then click on the Contact Us option.
Step 4: In the description box, you must clearly define the issue of the chat lock not showing in WhatsApp. Turn on the 'Include Device Information' section.

Step 5: After you have entered all the information, click on the Next button to submit your query.

The WhatsApp customer support team will get back to you within the next 24-48 hours. They will help you fix the issue by taking the necessary troubleshooting steps.
Method 6: Restart WhatsApp
Sometimes a simple option such as restarting the app can play an important role to fix chat lock option now showing in WhatsApp. If you aren't able to find the chat lock option for WhatsApp, close the app. Wait for a few minutes before you open and use WhatsApp again. Is the chat lock option visible? If yes, go ahead with it then. If not, then you will have to restart your device.

Press and hold the power button to turn off the device, and follow the steps to turn it off. Different devices have different methods to turn off the app. Once the phone is turned off, wait for a couple of minutes before you switch it on again. After a few minutes, turn on your app and then open WhatsApp. This should fix the WhatsApp chat lock not working error. If not, then move to the next step.
Method 7: Check WhatsApp Beta
If you face the issue of the chat lock option not showing in WhatsApp despite all the updates and methods mentioned above, you need to join the Beta version. WhatsApp Beta versions get the new features into the app before the app is officially released. The beta version often helps to fix the issue.
You need to follow the steps given below to join the WhatsApp beta version:
Step 1: Open the Google Play website on a suitable browser. Open the WhatsApp beta page.

Step 2: Sign in using the Google account that is logged in to your Android device.
Step 3: Click on the Become a Tester button. You have now officially rolled in for the WhatsApp Beta testing program.

Step 4: Grab your phone and search for WhatsApp in the Play Store. Visit the app Page. You must receive the following notification: 'You're a beta tester for this app. Future updates will include beta versions.'

Step 5: Click on the Update version to update your existing WhatsApp to the beta version. Be patient and wait for a few minutes till the beta version of WhatsApp is finally available.
Pro Tip: Secure WhatsApp Chats with MobileTrans Backup & Restore
Whether you're reinstalling WhatsApp, clearing cache, or adopting any other method to fix chat lock not showing in WhatsApp, there is always a risk of data loss. Thus, you'll have to opt for chat management through secure measures so that you don't lose data. In this case, you must back up all your chats to your PC using Wondershare MobileTrans.
MobileTrans is one of the top software for macOS and Windows OS that is aimed at making chat management easy. With just a few clicks, you can create an additional backup of your WhatsApp chats on your PC and then restore it after you have fixed the WhatsApp chat lock not working error.
MobileTrans offers a wide range of features, which makes it a reliable choice for secure chats, such as:
Wondershare MobileTrans
Back Up Your WhatsApp Data to Computer Easily
- • Backup and restore chats, contacts, group details, shared attachments, voice notes, and more in 1-click.
- • No data loss. No data leaks.
- • Compatible with thousands of device types acorss Android and iOS.
- • Merge WhatsApp data without erasing old data.
- • Supports maintaining different versions of your WhatsApp backup instead of overwriting your data.

Now that you know how beneficial MobileTrans is, you should use it before you uninstall WhatsApp to fix chat lock not working in WhatsApp. MobileTrans is available for free download for the respective operating systems on its official website. Once downloaded, you may follow the steps given below to backup and restore WhatsApp data using MobileTrans:
Step 1: Open MobileTrans for Chat Management
Launch Wondershare MobileTrans in your system and select the Backup and Restore option from the main interface. From all the available options in the dashboard, select App Backup and Restore. Then, click on the Backup option.

Step 2: Choose the App
MobileTrans supports a wide range of apps. Before selecting the app, connect your phone to the computer using a working USB cable. Now, choose WhatsApp.

Step 3: Choose Data to Backup
Once the software has recognized the phone, you will have to select the data that you want to back up. Make sure that the source is your phone and the destination is your computer. After selecting all the WhatsApp data that you want to back up, click on Start.

Step 4: WhatsApp Data is Backed Up
Ensure that the phone is connected during the backup process. You must not execute the process smoothly. Follow the on-screen instructions for the data that you are backing up on Android. The confirmation will be displayed on your screen once the data is backed up.

Step 5: Select Data to Restore
Once all the errors are fixed in WhatsApp, you will want to restore the data. Click on the Restore option under the Backup and Restore section. Connect your phone to the system and identify the backed-up data to be restored under the Source location. Hit the Start button. The data must be restored to your device within a few minutes.

Conclusion
A lot of people encounter chat locks not showing on WhatsApp issues on their phones. This is a new feature that may take some time to roll out on all the devices. So, you must not rush into it. Moreover, you must not take any action to get this feature, which may lead to your WhatsApp data being lost. As an additional security measure, you may use the MobileTrans software to backup and restore the data to prevent any unwanted chat loss.