WhatsApp which is the most widely used instant messaging app has started to roll out the new two-factor authentication, also known as the two-step verification feature for its users.
This feature has been introduced with an agenda of improving the security of the user’s data and information. This new optional feature is available currently to the users of the beta version of WhatsApp on the Android and Windows platform and it adds security to the account. Instagram, the photo sharing social media network that is owned by Facebook had also introduced this two-factor authentication to its app at the beginning of this year.
The beta app users who are running WhatsApp version 2.16.341 or above on the Android platform will be able to enable and activate the two-step verification feature. The Nokia Power User has noted that the users of Windows 10 Mobile beta which is running the WhatsApp version 2.16.280 will be able to enable the updated security feature.
Enable from Settings
The WhatsApp users of the beta versions of the app on the Android and Windows platforms can activate the two-step verification feature under Settings, and look for Account, where the Two-step verification can be enabled. WhatsApp has been stressing that this two-step verification feature is an optional feature. However, it also clearly mentions that if the two-step verification feature has been enabled, any attempt by the user to verify phone number on WhatsApp should be accompanied by the six-digit passcode which was created using the feature. WhatsApp has also been requesting for an email address that will be used in case the two-step verification feature needs to be disabled.
Forget Passcode, Account Deleted
The WhatsApp team has explained in its Support page that upon enabling this two-step verification feature, the users can optionally enter their email address. This email address will allow the instant messaging app to send the user a link via email which can be used to disable the two-step verification in case the user ever forgets the six-digit passcode, which is also helpful to safeguard their account. In case the user forgets the six-digit passcode, WhatsApp will not permit re-verifying the account within seven days of last using WhatsApp. The WhatsApp Team had mentioned that after these 7 days, the number will be permitted to be re-verified on WhatsApp without the 6-digit passcode. However, the user will lose all the pending messages upon re-verifying since the messages will all be deleted. If the user’s number is re-verified on WhatsApp after 30 days of last using WhatsApp, and also without using the passcode, then the account will be deleted and a new one will have to be created upon successful re-verification.
Background Playing of Audio Messages
Apart from this two-step verification feature, the updated WhatsApp beta version for Android also comes with another new feature which allows the users to play audio messages in the background. The popular tech savvy site, Android Police has pointed out that this new feature will now allow the users to play the audio messages that have been stored in their WhatsApp account even when they switch to other apps. However, there have been reports that many users have tried using this feature in their Android beta app of WhatsApp version 2.16.343 but the audio messages did not play in the background when a conversation was closed. So the mileage is possibly varying still.
Considering the fact that the two-step verification feature is currently available only for the beta users, it can be expected that the feature will be rolled out to all the users in the upcoming weeks.