How to Hide Chats in GB WhatsApp with a Secret Lock
Locking a chat stops people from opening it, but they can still see it in your list. Sometimes you want a conversation to disappear from view entirely. GB WhatsApp has a hidden chats feature that removes chats from the main list and protects them with a pattern or PIN.
This guide explains how to hide and unhide chats, how to open them, and how hidden chats compare with archive and chat lock.
Hide vs Lock vs Archive
| Option | Visible in chat list? | Protected? | Notifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archive | Moved to Archived folder | No | Can stay silent |
| Official chat lock | In a Locked chats folder, can be hidden with a secret code | Yes | Content hidden |
| GB hidden chats | Not visible in the main list | Yes, pattern or PIN | Can be hidden |
How to Hide a Chat
- Open GB WhatsApp.
- Long-press the chat you want to hide.
- Tap the three-dot menu at the top.
- Choose Hide.
- Set a pattern or PIN the first time you use the feature.
- The chat disappears from your main list.
You can hide several chats, and they all share the same pattern or PIN.
How to Open Hidden Chats
The method varies slightly by build:
- Tap the GB WhatsApp title or logo at the top of the home screen. In some builds, you tap the word “WhatsApp” or “GBWhatsApp”.
- Enter your pattern or PIN.
- Your hidden chats appear.
If this doesn’t work in your build, check GB Settings, Privacy and Security, for a Hidden chats option.
How to Unhide a Chat
- Open your hidden chats using the steps above.
- Long-press the chat.
- Tap the menu and choose Unhide or Mark as visible.
The chat returns to your main list.
Notifications From Hidden Chats
New messages in hidden chats can still create notifications. To keep them truly private:
- Open the hidden chat.
- Tap the contact or group name.
- Open Notifications or Custom notifications.
- Turn off notifications or hide message previews.
You can also turn off previews for all chats in Settings, then Notifications.
Using the Official Secret Code Option
GB WhatsApp also includes WhatsApp’s official chat lock. Lock a chat from its info screen, then set a secret code in the Locked chats folder settings. The locked folder then only appears when you type the secret code in search. See our chat lock guide.
Don’t Forget Your Pattern
If you forget the hidden chats pattern, recovery options depend on your build. Some offer a security question. Others require clearing data and restoring from backup. Make backups regularly with our backup and restore guide.
Hidden Chats Not Working?
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Can’t find how to open hidden chats | Tap the app title on the home screen or check GB Settings |
| Hidden chat reappeared | Updates can reset hidden status, hide it again |
| Notifications reveal messages | Turn off previews for that chat |
| Hide option missing | Update to the latest GB WhatsApp build |
Use It Wisely
Hidden chats are useful for privacy from people who borrow your phone. For stronger protection, combine them with an app lock and two-step verification. See our GB WhatsApp privacy settings guide.
Which Privacy Tool Should You Use?
| Your goal | Best tool |
|---|---|
| Stop others opening a chat | Chat lock |
| Make a chat invisible in the list | Hidden chats |
| Clear clutter without hiding | Archive |
| Protect the whole app | App lock |
| Hide a whole folder of chats behind a code | Official locked chats with secret code |
Many users combine an app lock with one or two hidden chats for the most sensitive conversations.
Hidden Chats and Search
In some builds, hidden chats don’t appear in the main search results either, which makes them more private. In others, searching for a contact’s name can still bring up the chat. Test it on your build by searching for a hidden contact’s name. If it appears, add an app lock for extra protection.
Hidden Groups
You can hide groups as well as private chats. This is useful for surprise party planning or private family discussions on a shared phone. Group notifications can still appear, so mute the group or turn off previews too.
Hidden Chats After Reinstalling
Hidden status may reset when you reinstall GB WhatsApp or restore a backup. After restoring, check that private chats are hidden again before handing your phone to anyone.
Keep a Record of Your Settings
If you use hidden chats, app lock and Ghost Mode together, note your setup in a safe place. After an update, you can quickly check everything is still in place. See our GB WhatsApp privacy settings guide for a full checklist.
Privacy From Other Apps
Hiding chats protects them from people using your phone, not from apps. Be careful which apps you allow to read notifications, because they can see message previews. Review notification access in your phone’s Settings, under Apps or Special app access.
Conclusion
GB WhatsApp’s hidden chats feature removes conversations from your main list and protects them with a pattern or PIN. Hide chats with a long-press, open them by tapping the app title, and turn off previews so notifications don’t give them away. Keep backups in case you forget your pattern.
Frequently Asked Questions
Long-press the chat, open the menu and choose Hide, then set a pattern or PIN.
Tap the app title at the top of the home screen and enter your pattern or PIN.
They can. Turn off notifications or previews for those chats to keep them private.
Archived chats are easy to find and unprotected, while hidden chats disappear and need a pattern or PIN.
Use a security question if your build has one, or clear data and restore from a backup.