This article mainly talks about how to lock WhatsApp with a password on a computer. It also shows you how to put a lock on WhatsApp on a phone.
WhatsApp is one of the most popular and widely used instant messaging and VoIP services in the world. It allows users to easily send messages, make calls and share files. WhatsApp is available as a mobile app for iOS and Android devices. It also provides a desktop app for Windows and Mac computers. In addition, it has a web-based version, which is WhatsApp Web.
In the digital age, privacy protection is more important than ever. WhatsApp has taken efforts to protect users’ data. For example, it puts end-to-end encryption on chats and backup data.
What can users do to protect privacy on WhatsApp? You can sign out of the app, but it may be impractical since you likely use WhatsApp on a daily, if not hourly, basis. Also, you can lock your computer or phone when you are away from it, but sometimes there are situations where you have to let others use your device. There’s a solution! You can lock your WhatsApp desktop or mobile app.
Cisdem AppCrypt
Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7 
Free Download macOS 10.12 or later
Windows operating systems don’t provide a way for users to put a password on individual apps. The built-in app lock, which is available in the WhatsApp mobile app, isn’t available in the WhatsApp desktop app. Luckily, you can password-protect WhatsApp with Cisdem AppCrypt, the best app lock for Windows.
1. Download and install AppCrypt on your PC.
Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7
2. The first time you open it, set a password.
3. Click its icon on the taskbar. (Alternatively, right-click this icon and then click Open Main Window.)
4. Enter the password to access the main window.
5. Under the App Lock tab in the main window, do one of the following things.
Now WhatsApp on your Windows PC is locked with a password. When you or anyone else tries to open it, it won’t open, and a screen will appear telling you that it’s locked. You can simply unlock WhatsApp by entering the password.
If you want to remove the lock from this app, select it under the App Lock tab and then press the Delete key.
Tips
WhatsApp will always be locked as long as AppCrypt is running. To make sure that this app lock is always running, it’s recommended to select the Launch at system startup checkbox (and also the two checkboxes below it) in Preferences. Note that it requires the password to quit this app lock.
In Preferences, you can enable the automatic lock for enhanced security if needed. Once turned on, it can automatically relock WhatsApp after:
Like with Windows computers, neither macOS nor WhatsApp for Mac provide a built-in app lock feature. If you are a Mac user, you can use Cisdem AppCrypt to put a password on your WhatsApp desktop app.
1. Download and install AppCrypt.
Free Download macOS 10.12 or later
2. When you open it for the first time, set a password.
3. In the menu bar, click its icon and choose Open Main Window.
4. Enter the password when prompted.
5. Under the App Lock tab in the main window, click the Add icon.
6. In the Applications folder that appears, select WhatsApp and then click Open.
Alternatively, in steps 5 and 6, you can use drag and drop instead.
Now WhatsApp on your Mac is locked with a password, and any unauthorized access will be prevented. Here are some details that can help you make the lock more effective.
The content above is for WhatsApp desktop app. Now let’s talk about the mobile one.
To offer additional security, WhatsApp allows iPhone users to protect its app with Touch ID or Face ID, depending on the iPhone model. You can check out if your iPhone supports Touch ID or Face ID first.
To be able to use Touch ID or Face ID for WhatsApp, make sure that you have set up Touch ID or Face ID on your device.
1. Open WhatsApp on your iPhone.
2. Tap Settings in the lower right corner of the screen.
3. Go to Privacy > Screen Lock.
4. Enable Require Face ID or Require Touch ID.
5. From the three options allowing you to decide how often the WhatsApp lock will ask for fingerprint or face recognition, select the option that suits your need.
Note: When WhatsApp is locked, if a call comes in, you can still answer it. And you can still reply to messages from notifications.
Before October 2019, there were two ways for Android users to secure WhatsApp app: using the device’s built-in app lock (if available) or using a third party app lock.
On October 31, 2019, WhatsApp introduced fingerprint lock for Android. Note that it’s only for Android devices with a fingerprint sensor running Android 6.0 or later. In addition, it doesn’t work on these Samsung models: Samsung Galaxy S5, Samsung Galaxy Note 4, or Samsung Galaxy Note 8.
As with on an iPhone, the locking doesn’t prevent you from answering a WhatsApp call.
1. Set up fingerprint on your phone.
2. Open WhatsApp.
3. Tap the 3-dot icon and select Settings > Account > Privacy.
4. Scroll down and tap Fingerprint lock.
5. Enable Unlock with fingerprint.
6. Confirm your fingerprint by touching the sensor.
7. Select the amount of time for WhatsApp to automatically be locked by fingerprint.
If you turn on the Show content in notifications option, you will be able to preview messages inside message notifications.
To turn off the fingerprint lock for WhatsApp, go to the app’s settings and turn off Unlock with fingerprint.
As mentioned, WhatsApp also has a web-based version accessible through a web browser. How do you lock it then?
In the past, to secure WhatsApp Web, one needed to use a third party tool, such as a browser extension called Password Lock for WhatsApp Web. The good news is that now there’s a built-in way to put a password on WhatsApp Web.
1. In WhatsApp Web, click the three-dot menu at the top of the page and then choose Settings.
2. On the left, choose Privacy.
3. Choose Screen lock.
4. Select the Screen lock checkbox.
5. In the Set device password dialog, set a password and then repeat it. Click OK.
6. Set WhatsApp Web to be locked after 1 minute, 15 minutes or 1 hour of inactivity.
Now WhatsApp Web is password-protected. To use it, you need to enter the password to unlock it.
To add more security, WhatsApp provides an app lock feature in the mobile app and web version, which is easy to use. However, this feature is missing in the desktop app for Windows and Mac. Luckily, you can still protect this app on your computer. This article provides detailed steps on how to lock WhatsApp on Windows PC and Mac. I hope it’s helpful.
Norah Hayes likes to share her tips on how to improve focus and stay motivated at work. She believes it is essential to eliminate all online distractions during work hours.
Lee
I had no idea you could lock WhatsApp on desktop and mobile! This is a game changer for me since I'm always worried about someone snooping through my messages. Thanks for the great guide, it was really easy to follow and now I feel much more secure. Cheers!
Rubenbowen
It's nice to be able to securely lock your WhatsApp. Especially when friends,family and who know uses my Mac...