Brijesh Desai 
WhatsApp Filter Archived and Locked Chats: WhatsApp will soon let you filter archived and locked chats on iOS. Learn about the new preset filters replacing dedicated sections and better chat organization.
WhatsApp is finally fixing one of its most annoying quirks. The messaging app is developing new preset filters for archived, locked, and third-party chats on iOS, according to the latest beta update (iOS 26.22.10.70). Instead of scrolling through dedicated sections at the top of your Chats tab, you’ll get dedicated filters that make navigation way more organized.
This update is currently in development and will hit beta testers soon through TestFlight, though WhatsApp hasn’t given an official release date for the stable version.
What’s Actually Changing
Here’s the key difference:
The filters will include:
- Archived chats filter: Shows only your archived conversations
- Locked chats filter: Displays password/biometric-protected conversations
- Third-party chats filter: For conversations from other WhatsApp-connected apps
Why This Matters for People Who Actually Use WhatsApp
Think about your chat list. If you’re like most people, you’ve probably archived 20-30 chats you don’t want to see daily but don’t want to delete. Or you’ve locked sensitive conversations with your partner, family, or work contacts. Now you’re constantly scrolling to find them.
This new feature is designed for users with hundreds of chats who need quick navigation without endless scrolling. It’s basically WhatsApp’s answer to inbox organization in email apps.
The Locked Chats Privacy Setup Won’t Change
Important note: locked chats still require Face ID, Touch ID, or device passcodes for access. The security layer doesn’t disappear—it just moves into a filter-based interface. So your private conversations stay protected, but accessing them becomes smoother.
There’s also a hidden locked chats option you can enable in settings. If you turn on “Hide Locked Chats,” they won’t show in your main chat list at all. You’d need to enter a secret code in the search bar to access them. This new filter feature complements that by giving you another way to organize without compromising privacy.
This Is Coming to iOS First (Android Might Wait)
The beta update is specifically for iOS 26.22.10.70, which means this is an iPhone-first feature. WhatsApp has tested similar chat filtering on Android before—back in March 2024, they tested filters for “All,” “Unread,” and “Groups” on Android beta version 2.23.14.17.
But the archived/locked/third-party filter combo is iOS-specific for now. Android users might see this roll out later, or WhatsApp could take a different approach based on iOS testing results.
How Chat Filters Work (Based on Previous WhatsApp Tests)
When WhatsApp tested chat filters on Android in 2024, the interface was simple:
- All filter: Shows every chat
- Unread filter: Only displays conversations with unread messages
- Group filter: Shows all group chats
To access it, you scrolled to the bottom of the chat page. The new iOS filters will likely follow the same pattern but with archived, locked, and third-party categories instead.
The Privacy Elephant in the Room
Let’s be honest—some WhatsApp users are already skeptical. The app has faced criticism for privacy issues, metadata collection, and backup encryption gaps. A filter feature doesn’t fix those problems, but it does make organization cleaner for privacy-conscious users who lock sensitive chats.
If you’re using locked chats for genuinely sensitive conversations (like legal matters, health issues, or relationship stuff), this filter makes access easier without compromising security. The Face ID/Touch ID requirement stays the same, so your conversations are still protected.
When Can You Use This?
Here’s the reality: it’s not available yet. The feature is still in development and hasn’t reached TestFlight beta testers. WhatsApp typically tests features for several months before stable release, so we’re probably looking at a late 2026 or early 2027 release for the general public.
If you’re a beta tester, keep checking TestFlight for iOS 26.22.10.70 updates. If you’re not, you’ll see this in the regular WhatsApp update when it’s ready.
How to Use Locked Chats Right Now (Before Filters Arrive)
Even without the new filters, you can still lock chats today:
- Open WhatsApp and go to a chat
- Tap the contact name at the top
- Scroll down to “Chat Lock”
- Turn on Chat Lock and verify with Face ID/Touch ID
- The chat moves to your Locked Chats folder at the bottom of the Chats screen
To access locked chats now:
- Scroll to the bottom of your Chats tab
- Tap “Locked Chats”
- Verify with biometrics or passcode
Archived chats work similarly—long press a chat, tap the archive icon, and it disappears from your main list. Access it by scrolling down and tapping “Archived”.
Quick Summary
WhatsApp is building preset filters for archived, locked, and third-party chats on iOS, replacing the current dedicated sections at the top of the Chats tab. The feature is in development for iOS 26.22.10.70 and will reach beta testers through TestFlight soon, though no stable release date exists yet. Locked chats still require Face ID/Touch ID verification, so security doesn’t change. This makes navigation easier for users with hundreds of chats, and iOS gets it first—Android might follow later. It’s a simple fix that solves a genuinely annoying problem for serious WhatsApp users.