WhatsApp is rolling a stronger two-step verification password, more context for unknown calls on Android, and new options for passkeys. These updates focus on keeping accounts secure and easier to recover. WhatsApp also revealed that over one billion users have already added a passkey to their account.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Feature: | New account security features |
| Status: | Rolling out |
| Availability info: | WhatsApp is gradually rolling out these features to users on iOS and Android. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp is rolling out admin profiles for channels! |
Security matters more when billions of people rely on the same app
WhatsApp has more than three billion users. This is not just a number: it means that WhatsApp needs to protect three billion accounts from malicious actors. When an app handles so many private conversations, the stakes for getting security right are high. WhatsApp relies on end-to-end encryption as the security foundation, but encryption alone only protects the messages. This means that the account also needs its own layer of protection too. This is exactly what today's announcement is about.
WhatsApp shares three new account security updates
Today, WhatsApp announced three updates focused on account security. The first upgrades two-step verification from a PIN to a full password. The second feature gives Android users more context when an unknown number calls. The third tool introduces new options for passkey for users who rely on multiple devices. These updates make it harder for someone else to get into your account and easier for you to get back in.
Two-step verification is getting a password upgrade
With the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.29.4 update, we announced an upgrade for two-step verification. We revealed that WhatsApp would have replaced the six-digit PIN that two-step verification currently uses with a full password. WhatsApp is now announcing this update officially. Unlike a PIN that only accepts numbers, the new password can include letters, numbers, and special characters. A password gives users more robust combinations to choose from. As a result, this upgrade makes the code significantly harder to guess.
Android users will see more context on unknown calls
WhatsApp now shows additional information when Android users receive calls from unknown numbers. Users can see whether the number is from a different country and how many groups they have in common with the caller. Although this information does not answer every question, it gives users something to work with before deciding whether to pick up. A number from a country the user has no connection to, with no groups in common, is already a useful signal. Finally, users have at least some context before they make a decision.
One billion passkeys and new options for multiple devices
WhatsApp has confirmed that more than one billion users have added a passkey to their account. A passkey lets users log back in using their fingerprint, face, or screen lock, without entering for the 6-digit code. Beyond this milestone, WhatsApp is also introducing a new option that lets users add more than one passkey to a single account. This is useful for anyone who switches between Android and iOS devices and wants passkey access on both.
Passkeys can also protect more than just your login
A passkey on WhatsApp is not only for logging in anymore. Users can use a passkey to add a second layer of security to their chat backup. With a passkey, users can make their backups end-to-end encrypted. Instead of remembering a passcode or a 64-digit code, users can easily encrypt and decrypt their backups. This makes the backup protection feature accessible to anyone, not just those who save their password.
WhatsApp is rolling out new security updates to all users
WhatsApp is rolling out these new security features to users on iOS and Android. If any of these features do not appear yet, users should keep the app updated and check back over the coming days. Since WhatsApp is gradually making these features available, not everyone will see them at the same time.
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