WhatsApp Lock: How to Password Protect WhatsApp on Desktop and Mobile

This article mainly talks about WhatsApp desktop password protection. It also shows you how to put a lock on WhatsApp mobile app.

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 Mac and Windows computers.

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 will be impractical because you probably use WhatsApp on a daily and even 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 WhatsApp desktop or mobile app.

 Cisdem AppCrypt

The Best WhatsApp Locker for Mac

• Lock WhatsApp and any other apps on your Mac with password
• Record failed attempts to access the locked apps
• Require password to unlock apps, quit or uninstall AppCrypt, etc.
• Also block websites and webpages with password
• Offer a schedule feature to lock apps and block websites
• Help password protect WhatsApp desktop app
• Help block distracting, inappropriate or other wanted online content
• Can be used for privacy protection, productivity and parental controls etc.
• Easy to use
• Hard to bypass
• Support macOS 10.12 or later

Free Download

How to set WhatsApp desktop password protection on Mac

macOS doesn’t come with a feature for you to put a password on individual apps. Luckily, there are third-party tools available. You can easily and effectively password protect WhatsApp desktop with Cisdem AppCrypt, the best app locker and website blocker for Mac.

Free Download

1. Download AppCrypt and install it on your MacBook or iMac etc.
2. The first time you open the tool, set a password.
3. When the tool is running, click its icon in the menu bar and choose Open Main Window.
4. Enter the password to enter the main window. Click Add App in the top left corner.
   
5. Select WhatsApp (and other apps that you’d like to lock) and click Add.

Now the WhatsApp desktop app is locked.

When you or someone else tries to open it, a dialog box will show up asking for password. To unlock WhatsApp, one will need to enter the correct password.

If one enters the wrong password, WhatsApp will still be locked and secured. And AppCrypt will record this failed attempt with the date and time and take a photo of the person who tried to break in (the photo in the screenshot blurred for privacy).

To remove the lock, select WhatsApp in the sidebar and click Remove App.

Tips

As long as AppCrypt is running, it will prevent any unauthorized access to the locked WhatsApp. To make this tool run all the time, go to the top right corner of the main window and select Menu > Preferences. Under the General tab, enable Launch at system startup.

Also under the General tab is an option, which, if enabled, will automatically relock WhatsApp when WhatsApp is unlocked and inactive for a period of time. Enable the option if needed.

You lock WhatsApp for the sake of privacy protection. If you want to lock certain apps during certain hours to reduce distractions or to limit screen time, the Schedule feature can help.

There is also a feature to block websites. Click Web Block in the main window. You can block specific websites and webpages or block websites by category. Also, the feature lets you block all websites except approved ones.

Free Download

How to set password for WhatsApp desktop app on Windows

If you use a Windows PC and want to prevent others who can access your PC from opening your WhatsApp desktop app, you can use My Lockbox. It’s easy to use and has a simple interface. Below is how to use it to put WhatsApp desktop password lock.

1. Download and install My Lockbox.
2. Set a password. It’s also possible to use the tool without creating a password, but it’s strongly recommended to create one.
3. Provide your email address, which is optional.
4. Click OK.
5. In the interface that appears, click Browse. Select the folder where WhatsApp is installed. Generally, you can find it C:\Program Files.

Now WhatsApp is locked. When you try to open it, a message will pop up telling you that access is denied.

To unlock, open My Lockbox and enter the password. And now the Unlock option should be available.

How to lock WhatsApp on iPhone

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.

Note: When WhatsApp is locked, if a call comes in, you can still answer it.

• Models supporting Face ID: iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XS, iPhone XR and iPhone X
• Models supporting Touch ID: iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone SE (2016), iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone SE (2020)

To be able to use Touch ID or Face ID for WhatsApp, you need to first set up Touch ID or Face ID in your device’s settings.

1. Open WhatsApp on your iPhone.
2. Tap Settings in the lower right corner of the screen.
3. Go to Account > 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.

How to put lock on WhatsApp in Android phone

Before October 2019, there were two ways for Android users to secure WhatsApp app. If your phone provides a built-in feature to lock apps, then you can readily use it. If not, you can use a third-party app locker. On October 31, 2019, WhatsApp introduced fingerprint lock for Android. Note that it’s only for Android devices with a fingerprint sensor. And it doesn’t work on certain Samsung models.

Also note that the locking doesn’t prevents 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 option Show content in notifications, 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.

Conclusion

As you can see, it’s easy to apply WhatsApp desktop password protection and mobile app fingerprint looks. By doing so, you can keep your chat, conversations and privacy away from prying eyes. If there isn’t a built-in feature to lock apps, you can turn to third-party solutions such as AppCrypt for Mac. In addition to adding WhatsApp lock, you can also use the same tool to lock other apps on your computer.