How to create a private chat in WhatsApp on Android?

How to create a private chat in WhatsApp on Android - briefly?

To create a private chat in WhatsApp on Android, follow these steps:

Open WhatsApp and tap on the three dots in the top right corner to access the menu.
Select "New Chat" > "Contact" and choose the person you want to chat with privately.

How to create a private chat in WhatsApp on Android - in detail?

Creating a private chat in WhatsApp on an Android device involves several steps to ensure that your conversation remains secure and confidential. Here is a detailed guide to help you set up a private chat:

Download and Install WhatsApp: If you haven't already, download WhatsApp from the Google Play Store and install it on your Android device. Open the app and follow the prompts to register your phone number.
Verify Your Phone Number: WhatsApp will send a verification code via SMS to the phone number you provided. Enter this code in the app to verify your account.
Set Up Two-Step Verification: To add an extra layer of security, enable two-step verification. Go to Settings > Account > Two-step verification. Here, you can set up a PIN and provide an email address for password reset. This ensures that even if someone gains access to your phone number, they won't be able to access your WhatsApp account without the PIN.
Create a New Chat: To start a private chat, open WhatsApp and tap on the New Chat icon at the bottom right corner of the screen. This will allow you to select the contact with whom you want to initiate a conversation.
Select the Contact: Choose the contact you wish to chat with from your list of contacts. You can also search for the contact by typing their name or phone number in the search bar.
Encryption Check: WhatsApp messages are end-to-end encrypted, which means that only you and the person you're communicating with can read what is sent. To check if your chat is secure, tap on the contact's name at the top of the chat screen. You will see a lock icon indicating that the conversation is encrypted.
Disable Chat Backup: If you want to ensure that your private chats are not backed up to cloud storage, go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup. Here, you can disable automatic backups or choose specific chats that you do not want to be included in the backup.
Set Up Screen Lock: To prevent unauthorized access to your WhatsApp chats, set up a screen lock on your Android device. Go to Settings > Security & Location > Screen Lock. You can choose between PIN, pattern, password, or biometric options like fingerprint or facial recognition.
Enable Fingerprint Lock (Optional): WhatsApp offers an additional security feature called Fingerprint Lock. Go to Settings > Account > Privacy and enable the Use fingerprint to unlock option. This requires you to use your fingerprint every time you open the app, adding another layer of security to your private chats.
Regularly Review Your Contacts: Periodically review the contacts in your WhatsApp list and remove any that you no longer communicate with or trust. This helps in maintaining the privacy of your conversations.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your private chats on WhatsApp remain secure and confidential. Always remember to keep your device's operating system and apps up to date to benefit from the latest security features and patches.