WhatsApp Web now logs you out automatically after six hours.
WhatsApp has put in place a new security policy that logs users out of WhatsApp Web and desktop clients after six hours of not using them. Users started seeing the change in late November 2025. It takes away the ability to stay logged in on linked devices for weeks or even months.
The Reason for the Change
Meta hasn’t made an official statement, but it’s clear that the reason is security. There has always been a chance that someone could see your private messages if you had an open WhatsApp Web session on a shared computer, work laptop, or public terminal. Even though messages are protected by end-to-end encryption while they are being sent, anyone who can get to an unlocked device could read years of private conversations. WhatsApp greatly narrows the attack window for unauthorized access by limiting sessions to six hours of inactivity.
How the Timer for Six Hours Works
Whenever you do something important on WhatsApp Web, like sending a message, opening a chat, scrolling, or just clicking inside the window, the timer resets. If you leave the tab open in the background without clicking on it, it will log you out after six hours. When the session is over, the screen goes back to the QR code page, and you have to scan it again with your phone.
User Reactions: Safety vs. Ease of Use
The update has split the community. A lot of people, especially parents, partners, and employees who share devices or work in open-plan offices, are happy about the extra security. Others, like customer service agents, community managers, and remote workers who need constant access, are annoyed that they have to rescan multiple times a day. People are already complaining on social media about how their work is being interrupted and asking for a way to turn it off (which doesn’t exist yet).
A Slow Global Rollout
The six-hour limit is being turned on on the server side and is slowly reaching accounts. Some users still have unlimited sessions as of early December 2025, while others have been limited for weeks. There is no way to turn off the feature, which means that it will eventually be available to everyone around the world.
Realistic Ways to Change
WhatsApp isn’t very flexible right now, but users can cut down on interruptions by keeping the Web tab in the foreground and using it often, switching to the official WhatsApp Desktop app for a slightly smoother experience, or locking their computer screen when they leave. Some people have used browser extensions or mouse-jiggling tools to make it look like they are active, but these methods could break WhatsApp’s terms of service.
A Bigger Trend in Security
WhatsApp’s move brings it in line with industry standards that have already been adopted by Gmail, Microsoft 365, banking apps, Telegram Web, and Signal. Default session timeouts are becoming more common, even for power users, as privacy threats change and regulators put more pressure on tech companies.
To sum up, you can’t just log in once and forget about WhatsApp Web anymore. Most people think the trade-off is worth it for peace of mind.
