How to hide messages in WhatsApp on a locked screen on Android?

How to hide messages in WhatsApp on a locked screen on Android - briefly?

To hide messages from appearing on the locked screen in WhatsApp for Android, you can adjust your notification settings. Go to Settings > Notifications > WhatsApp and disable "Show Preview."

How to hide messages in WhatsApp on a locked screen on Android - in detail?

Hiding messages on the lock screen of your Android device while using WhatsApp can help protect your privacy and prevent unauthorized access to your conversations. Here are detailed steps to achieve this:

  1. Enable Lock Screen Security:

    • First, ensure that your Android device has some form of lock screen security enabled. This could be a PIN, password, pattern, or biometric authentication like fingerprint or facial recognition. Go to Settings > Security & location > Screen lock and choose your preferred method.
  2. Use App Lock Feature:

    • Some Android devices come with an inbuilt app lock feature. If yours doesn't, you can download a third-party app lock from the Google Play Store. Popular options include AppLock, Norton App Lock, and LOCKit.
    • Open the app lock you have chosen or downloaded.
    • Follow the on-screen instructions to set up the app. You will typically need to create a PIN or use biometric authentication.
    • Once set up, navigate through the app's settings to find WhatsApp and enable the lock for it. This will prevent anyone from accessing your WhatsApp messages without entering the PIN or using the biometric method you have chosen.
  3. Disable Preview in Notifications:

    • Even with an app lock, notifications can still display message previews on your lock screen. To hide these:
      • Open WhatsApp.
      • Go to Settings > Account > Privacy.
      • Under the "Messages" section, toggle off Read receipts, if enabled. This won't hide messages but prevents others from knowing you have read their messages.
      • Scroll down and tap on Notifications.
      • Toggle off Show preview or set it to No preview.
    • This setting ensures that message content is not displayed in the notification panel, adding an extra layer of privacy.
  4. Use Secure Folders:

    • Some Samsung devices offer a feature called Secure Folder, which allows you to create a separate, encrypted space on your device for sensitive apps like WhatsApp.
    • To use this:
      • Open the Samsung Internet browser and search for WhatsApp.
      • Tap on the three dots in the top-right corner and select Move to Secure Folder.
      • Follow the prompts to set up your Secure Folder, including creating a PIN or using biometric authentication.
    • Once WhatsApp is moved to the Secure Folder, it will be hidden from the regular app drawer and can only be accessed through the Secure Folder.

By following these steps, you can effectively hide your WhatsApp messages on the lock screen of your Android device, enhancing your privacy and security.