WhatsApp Feature Update: Stop Others from Saving Your WhatsApp Chats with This Setting
WhatsApp has introduced a powerful new feature called “Advanced Chat Privacy” to give users tighter control over how their chats and media are shared. This update focuses on enhancing user privacy by restricting chat exports and media downloads—especially in sensitive or unfamiliar group settings.
What Is Advanced Chat Privacy on WhatsApp?
The Advanced Chat Privacy feature prevents others from exporting your chats or automatically downloading shared images and videos. It also blocks the use of your messages with Meta AI, a tool that generates images or responses using your chat history.
Key Features of Advanced Chat Privacy
Traditionally, WhatsApp allows chats to be exported to email or notes and automatically saves shared media to your phone. This new setting restricts:
- Chat exports (with or without media)
- Auto-download of media in both group and personal chats
- Usage of your chats in Meta AI
This gives you more control over how your private messages are stored and shared.
Limitations of the Feature
While this update is a big step toward better privacy, it doesn’t currently prevent users from:
- Taking screenshots of messages
- Manually saving media files
WhatsApp spokesperson Zade Alsawah has clarified that this is just the first version of the feature. More updates with stronger protection are expected in the future.
Why This Feature Matters
WhatsApp believes this privacy tool is especially useful for group chats with unfamiliar participants, where conversations may involve sensitive topics and where media and chat exports could pose a privacy risk.
How to Enable Advanced Chat Privacy
To use the feature, follow these steps:
- Update WhatsApp to the latest version.
- Open the chat (individual or group).
- Tap the contact or group name.
- Scroll and select Advanced Chat Privacy.
- Toggle the setting ON to activate additional privacy controls.
This simple step ensures better protection for your messages and shared media.