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WhatsApp for iPhone: How to Activate Face ID, Touch ID Biometric Authentication on iOS

WhatsApp for iPhone: How to Activate Face ID, Touch ID Biometric Authentication on iOS 444s6a

By Jagmeet Singh | Updated: 5 February 2019 10:10 IST

WhatsApp version 2.19.20 brings Face ID and Touch ID to enable biometric authentication 3yf2x

Highlights

WhatsApp for iPhone has a Screen Lock option to enable the new feature
The feature can be enabled immediately or after an interval
Outlook and Signal are offering a similar experience for some time

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WhatsApp for iPhone has received an important update through build version 2.19.20. The latest update brings the anticipated biometric authentication that allows s to lock the WhatsApp on their iPhone models by deploying the native Face ID or Touch ID. The new feature, which has been in anticipation since October last year - when the new authentication addition was reported for the first time, works similarly to how you can lock Outlook or Signal on your iPhone. It essentially applies biometric authentication to open WhatsApp. However, the feature doesn't add the additional security to your individual WhatsApp conversations. WhatsApp for Android is also in the rumours to bring a similar form of authentication layer in the coming future.

How to use Face ID, Touch ID on WhatsApp 642v3n

With the latest WhatsApp update, you can lock the Touch ID by going to Settings > > Privacy > Screen Lock. Once you moved to the Screen Lock screen, the app shows the available authentication method - either Face ID or Touch ID - that you can enable to lock your WhatsApp. You can also choose whether you want the biometric authentication requirement immediately or after an interval of a minute, 15 minutes, or an hour.

You can enable Touch ID or Face ID in WhatsApp by going to Settings > > Privacy > Screen Lock

WhatsApp still allows s to reply to messages from notifications and answer calls, without requiring biometric authentication. Also, once unlocked after successfully detecting the correct biometrics - either through Face ID or Touch ID feature - the instant messaging app opens access to all your messages. This means the latest development doesn't lock your WhatsApp chats on an individual basis.

The ability to unlock using Face ID or Touch ID on WhatsApp works similar to how Google Pay that also s UPI-based transactions, is already ing Face ID and Touch ID to enable biometric authentication.

You can choose when Face ID, Touch ID requirement goes into effect

References of the new update were found with some instances to fingerprint authentication on Android devices.

To experience the new change, you need to App Store. The app is 137.7MB in size and is compatible with iPhone models running iOS 8.0 and above.

We discussed what WhatsApp absolutely needs to do in 2019, on Orbital, our weekly technology podcast, which you can subscribe to via Apple Podcasts or RSS, the episode, or just hit the play button below.

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