WhatsApp Enhances Security: Introducing Passkeys for Android, Enabling Face and Fingerprint Logins

Android users may now securely enter back into their WhatsApp accounts using their device PIN or biometric verification thanks to WhatsApp’s rollout of support for passkeys. A one-time password, also known as an OTP, and an optional six-digit PIN for two-factor authentication were previously required for users to access their accounts on WhatsApp. With the inclusion of passkey functionality, Android users will now be able to enter back into their account using a passkey they’ve saved on their phone and the built-in facial or fingerprint recognition capability of their phone.

A week after Google stated that it would stop requiring passwords for all of its services and instead add support for passkeys on Android and the web, WhatsApp made the announcement of passkey support for Android via X (formerly known as Twitter). Users can still choose to log in by inputting their phone number and an OTP, and the current fingerprint lock option will still be available.

What are the passkeys?

You may log into apps and services without entering a password by using a passkey, which is a secure alternative. You can use your fingerprint or PIN on your smartphone to confirm that you—the account owner—are trying to log in instead of entering a password and a secure OTP.

In place of passwords, a Fast IDentity Online (FIDO) “secret” is used to log in to websites. This secret is stored on a device like a smartphone. Passkeys depend on two technologies that operate in tandem: public key cryptography and smartphone biometric authentication.

Because public key cryptography is used, there are no passwords to steal and your passkey is never removed from your smartphone, keeping you safe even if WhatsApp’s server is compromised. the advantages of security. Other organizations, including Adobe, Amazon, GitHub, Google, PayPal, and Uber, are either developing passkey logins or have already begun to support them. 

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How to create a passkey on WhatsApp for Android phones?

When using WhatsApp for Android, you can launch the app, go to the settings menu, then touch on Account > Passkeys > Create a passkey to activate passkeys. After reading the popup message outlining how passkeys work, select Continue. If you want to generate a passkey for WhatsApp, Google Password Manager will open up again; click Continue. To allow logging in via your phone’s screen lock mechanism, use screen lock. The passkey produced by WhatsApp is now visible.

The WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.23.21.12 now supports passkeys and seamless logins with biometric identification. On their devices, the feature may not be available right once for those who are using the most recent version of WhatsApp from the stable channel.