WhatsApp was reportedly gradually rolling out Restricted Chat to some Android beta testers by October 2, 2026. The opt-in setting adds controls to individual conversations and keeps them on the primary device, away from linked devices. The date is when the rollout was reported, not an established start date.
WhatsApp Restricted Chat reaches some Android beta testers
WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.39.11 was identified as compatible with the reported rollout. Access is gradual, so having that version does not guarantee that the option has reached a particular account.
The setting is off by default. On a compatible beta account that has received it, a user can turn it on from an individual chat’s information screen. At the reported stage, Restricted Chat applied to one-to-one conversations, and its restrictions affected everyone in the chat.
What Restricted Chat limits
When enabled, the setting reportedly prevents media from the conversation from being saved automatically to the device gallery, blocks chat export and disables Meta AI features within that chat. It also makes the conversation unavailable on linked devices.
The change concerns what participants can do with that conversation; the chat remains available on the primary device. Restricted Chat was described as an update to Advanced Chat Privacy, with the linked-device restriction distinguishing the newer setting.
The chat stays on the primary device
WhatsApp reportedly displays an in-chat notice explaining that the conversation is limited to the primary device. That access restriction is separate from encryption: WhatsApp messages and calls remain end-to-end encrypted whether or not Restricted Chat is enabled.
What the rollout says about wider release
The gradual rollout was reported on October 2, 2026, for some Android beta testers. As of that date, WhatsApp had not announced a release date for the stable version.
