How to Check in a Minute if Someone is Reading Your WhatsApp Messages
Linked devices reveal who has access to your account, and WhatsApp is also introducing locked chats for extra protection
Linked devices reveal who has access to your account, and WhatsApp is also introducing locked chats for extra protection
WhatsApp users are increasingly worried about hackers stealing their personal data, but experts warn that threats are often much closer than one might think. As reported by 01Portal in an article dated July 27, 2026, based on information from Večernji list, it is precisely close individuals such as partners who can secretly read messages, and without any technical knowledge.
WhatsApp offers the "linked devices" feature, which allows sending and receiving messages from a computer, tablet, or even another phone. If someone gains physical access to your phone, it only takes them one to two minutes to scan a QR code and link your account to their device, and then remove notifications so you remain unaware.
The check is extremely simple. Open WhatsApp, go to Settings, and select "Linked Devices". There you will see a list of all devices currently linked to your account. If you notice any unknown devices among them, log out from them immediately. The same principle can be applied to other messaging apps, notes 01Portal.
In addition, WhatsApp is introducing the "locked chats" option, which allows setting different passwords as an extra security measure. Chats protected this way are placed in a separate folder and are shielded even if someone has access to the device. Also, the app does not sync the entire chat history when linking to a new device, and the amount of messages transferred depends on the device type, memory, and internet connection.
