WhatsApp Rolling Out Passwordless Passkey Support For Android

This is Meta's attempt to make logging into WhatsApp account possible with passwordless passkeys and without annoying SMS-based two-factor authentication. 

There is no word on when the feature would be available for iOS users.

Source : Getty

In a bid to make it easier to log into WhatsApp, the company has announced rolling out passkey support for the app globally. WhatsApp tested passkey support in beta for a couple of months before introducing it for users worldwide. Official passkey support for WhatsApp is available for Android users now, which means Android device users will be able to log into WhatsApp without passwords. There is no word on when the feature would be available for iOS users.

This is social networking giant and WhatsApp parents Meta's attempt to make logging into WhatsApp account possible with passwordless passkeys and without annoying SMS-based two-factor authentication. 

"Android users can easily and securely log back in with passkeys 🔑 only your face, finger print, or pin unlocks your WhatsApp account," WhatsApp announced on X, formerly Twitter.

Android users can easily and securely log back in with passkeys 🔑 only your face, finger print, or pin unlocks your WhatsApp account pic.twitter.com/In3OaWKqhy

— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) October 16, 2023

How To Use Passkey On WhatsApp

One needs to head to settings under the "Account" tab on WhatsApp to activate the feature. They will be asked if they want to create a passkey using their phone’s facial recognition scanner, screen lock or fingerprint scanner. They will be able to verify their identity and WhatsApp will let them log into their account without typing any passwords or SMS codes, thus activating passwordless passkey.

Tech firms have set a goal to make passkeys the new login standard.

This announcement comes days after Google announced it is making passwords passé. The tech behemoth recently announced that it will start prompting users to create and use passkeys, an alternative to passwords, simplifying their future sign-ins. This

also means users will see the “Skip password when possible” option toggled on in their Google Account settings. Google's announcement on Tuesday (Octover 11) comes during the Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The tech giant has said it is making passkeys  more accessible by offering them as the default option across personal Google Accounts.