WhatsApp Working on Feature to Protect Chat History from Export

WhatsApp is working on a new "advanced chat privacy" feature designed to enhance user privacy and give people more control over their conversations. This feature is currently in beta testing for iOS and older Android versions, as reported by WABetaInfo.

Once activated, this setting will prevent others from saving chats or exporting full chat histories, making it harder for someone to copy or misuse private conversations. It also builds upon WhatsApp's existing privacy options by adding new protections to regular chats.

This feature will disable auto-saving of photos and videos to the device’s gallery, a setting already available in disappearing messages. Moreover, it will block the export chat option, which usually lets users back up or share full conversations.

However, users will still be able to forward individual messages, allowing selective sharing of important content without compromising entire chat threads. Unlike some privacy apps, WhatsApp does not plan to introduce screenshot detection, acknowledging that users might still capture chats using external methods like WhatsApp Web.

The feature is optional and can be toggled on or off for individual or group chats, giving users the flexibility to choose where they want more control. Once the setting is changed, a system message will notify all chat participants about the privacy update.

This update aligns with WhatsApp’s broader focus on privacy, building on features like chat lock, disappearing messages, and end-to-end encryption. By giving users the ability to prevent chat history exports and automatic media downloads, WhatsApp is helping reduce the risk of sensitive content being saved, misused, or shared without consent.

For those who use WhatsApp for personal or professional communication, this feature offers an added layer of data protection, especially in situations where phone access is shared or compromised. It also helps create safer spaces for more private or sensitive conversations, reinforcing WhatsApp's reputation as a secure messaging platform.

While there is no official rollout date yet, users can expect this feature to appear in a future stable version of the app as testing progresses.