Overview
- This week WhatsApp began rolling out Restricted Chat to selected Android and iOS beta testers as a replacement for the older Advanced Chat Privacy.
- When a user enables Restricted Chat for a one‑to‑one conversation, WhatsApp enforces four limits: automatic media will not save to devices, the chat cannot be exported, Meta AI features are disabled, and the conversation is unavailable on linked devices.
- The setting is disabled by default and must be turned on separately from the chat info screen for each eligible conversation.
- WhatsApp and beta reporting stress that end‑to‑end encryption remains in place whether or not Restricted Chat is used and that the linked‑device cut aims to stop unofficial clients and third‑party AI agents from accessing messages.
- The feature is rolling out in stages to beta builds (reported Android 2.26.39.11 and iOS 26.39.10.20) and WhatsApp has not announced a timeline for a public stable release.