WhatsApp Restricted Chat is rolling out to some iPhone beta testers, adding a per-chat setting that keeps a conversation off linked devices. It replaces Advanced chat privacy on the chat info screen and shows up in the WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.39.10.20 on TestFlight.
WABetaInfo found the setting in that build, where it is reaching a limited number of testers. The feature reached the Android beta first, in WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.39.11, so the iPhone version now matches what Android testers already have.
Restricted Chat Cuts a Conversation Off From Linked Devices
With Restricted Chat on, people in the conversation cannot take any of these four actions:
- Save media from the chat to the device gallery automatically
- Export the chat
- Use Meta AI features in the chat
- Use linked devices to open the chat
The first three carry over from Advanced chat privacy. The linked device block is the addition, and it keeps the chat on the primary phone so it does not sync to WhatsApp Web or any other connected device. WhatsApp’s Help Center says this helps stop people in the chat from using unofficial clients or AI agents to read it, and those tools depend on linked devices to reach a conversation.
The restrictions apply to everyone in the chat who has installed the latest version of WhatsApp.
Restricted Chat Is Optional and Existing Chats Need a Manual Upgrade
The setting stays off until someone switches it on, so a conversation only gets these limits when a participant chooses them. On iPhone, the toggle sits on the chat info screen.
- Open the chat.
- Tap the contact name at the top.
- Tap Restricted Chat.
- Turn on Restricted Chat.
In an individual chat, either person can turn it on or off. WhatsApp lists the setting for group chats as well, where group admins control it.
Chats that already use Advanced chat privacy do not switch over on their own. Someone has to open the chat, tap the name, and choose Upgrade, then Continue. In a group, the same path runs through the Advanced chat privacy entry after tapping the group name. Turning Advanced chat privacy off makes the setting appear as Restricted Chat from then on.
End-to-End Encryption Stays On Whether Restricted Chat Is On or Off
Restricted Chat adds limits on what people can do with a conversation and leaves encryption alone. WhatsApp says personal messages and calls are always protected with end-to-end encryption, and that Meta AI can only read the messages people choose to send it, with Restricted Chat on or off.
WhatsApp also announced parental controls for teens recently, which lock privacy settings behind a parent-set PIN. WhatsApp has not said when Restricted Chat will reach the stable version of the app.
