WhatsApp’s secret ‘code texts’ and iPhone’s invisible messages – three ways to hide your chats from nosy snoopers
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DON'T let the snoopers win: there are easy ways to hide your text chats from prying eyes. If you're using popular services like WhatsApp or iMessage, keeping your texts hidden is very easy. The Sun has rounded up three tricks that you need to try today.
![[Illustration of a locked chat notification, prompting to keep the chat locked and hidden using Face ID.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/hidden-texts-001.jpg?strip=all&w=894)
WhatsApp has a special feature called Secret Code that lets you hide away your chats. It's an evolution of the existing Chat Lock feature that helps you protect your "more sensitive conversations", according to the Meta-owned app. With Secret Codes, it makes it even harder to find your locked chats.
![[Screenshot of a chat interface showing options to view all, unread, favorite, and group chats, along with options to search, lock, and archive chats.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/hidden-texts-002.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
It's the perfect solution for when someone else has access to your phone. Normally when you protect a conversation, it'll be tucked away in your Locked Chats folder. This can only be unlocked if you verify your identity. But you can also set a secret code that for that Locked Chats folder.
![[Illustration of phone screen showing how to hide chats with a secret code.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/hidden-texts-003.jpg?strip=all&w=478)
Locked Chats will only appear if you type your secret code into the search bar. First, choose a chat to lock, then open it, tap on the chat's name, and hit Lock. You'll find this Locked Chats folder by pulling down on your main chats page. Now go into the Locked Chats folder and tap on Settings > Hide Locked Chats.
![[Screenshot of a screen prompting the user to create a secret code to access locked chats.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/hidden-texts-004.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
If you choose to activate that feature, you'll be prompted to create a Secret Code. You can use capitalised or lower-case letters, numbers, symbols, and emojis – just make sure you can remember what you choose. Follow the prompts to complete the creation of your Secret Code and then you're ready to go.
![[Screenshot of iPhone prompt asking whether to require Face ID for an app.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/hidden-texts-007.jpg?strip=all&w=810)
