Messaging applications are considered one of the most important applications for all smartphone users, as they allow you to easily communicate with anyone. They can include private conversations, which is why many users secure these applications to protect their privacy. There are many ways to secure messaging applications, but nothing beats using the built-in features of these applications. Here is a guide on how to lock the most popular messaging applications with a password or fingerprint for privacy and security of your messages.
Signal
We start with this outstanding application that has gained great popularity in the past few months due to WhatsApp’s privacy updates. Many users have turned to secure messaging apps like Signal, which offers many great features in terms of chat, conversations, security, and privacy. One of the features Signal offers is the ability to lock the app using a password or fingerprint through the app’s privacy settings.
To activate this feature, go to the Signal app and click on the three dots at the top left of the app. Choose Settings, then Privacy. Under “Screen Lock,” enable “Screen Lock” and set the “Screen Lock Timeout” to lock the Signal app after a certain period of time, for example, one minute.
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WhatsApp still reigns as the top messaging app, with over 2 billion users worldwide. The app offers various ways of communication, including text, voice, and video chats, as well as media file sharing. In terms of privacy, WhatsApp provides many useful options to protect your conversations, including the ability to lock the app with your fingerprint.
To enable this feature, go to WhatsApp, click on the three dots at the top left of the app, select Settings, then Account, then Privacy. Scroll down to find “Fingerprint Lock” and activate it. You can set a time period to lock the app, for example, immediately or after a specific time like a minute or 30 minutes.
Messenger
With over 1.3 billion users worldwide, Messenger comes second in terms of monthly active users. The app provides many security features to protect the privacy of messages. One of these features is the ability to lock the app with your fingerprint, but unfortunately, this feature is only available for iOS since last year and is not yet available for Android devices.
To enable this feature on iPhones, go to Messenger, click on the profile icon, choose Privacy, then App Lock. Activate the fingerprint option and set the time delay to lock the app after closure or after a specific time, such as a minute or 30 minutes. If you want to secure Messenger on Android devices, you will need to use a third-party app that offers locking features like fingerprint, pattern, or password.
Telegram
Telegram is also a prominent name in messaging applications, known for its many features not available in WhatsApp, such as creating groups with thousands of members. It offers various security features including the ability to lock the app with a password or fingerprint through the app’s settings without the need for external apps.
To activate this feature, go to Telegram, click on the sidebar menu, choose Settings, then “Privacy and Security.” Under Security, click on the lock icon to enable app security. You can set a new lock code and activate fingerprint unlock. You can also control the time duration to close the app.
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External Lock Apps
Whether your app supports locking or not, you can always use external lock apps to secure different applications. These apps provide many features unlike built-in features. For example, you can use the popular app AppLocker which allows you to lock any app on your phone using pattern, password, or fingerprint. It is a secure, free, and lightweight app that offers many useful features.
