WhatsApp is rolling out passkey support to its app – here’s how to set it up

Currently only available to Android users

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● An Android smartphone● A WhatsApp account● Internet connection

Passkey security continues to spread across the industry asWhatsAppis implementing the technology into its mobile app onAndroid.

There’s been a lot of hype surroundingpasskeyswith major companies likeAppleandGoogleadding support for it to their products. Its main selling point is it offers a faster way to sign into your personal accounts while making it harder for bad actors to compromise your phone or computer. This is done by utilizing either a PIN or biometrics unique to the device. Ideally, this effectively removes the need for conventional passwords.

WhatsApp made its announcement on X(the platform formerly known as Twitter) revealing passkeys on the app will allow users to unlock their account using either their face, fingerprint, or a PIN. The patch is currently rolling out to Android users. We managed to get our hands on the update and we’ll show you how to set it up. If you don’t see it on your phone, be sure to keep an eye out for the patch when it arrives.

Quick steps for how setup passkeys on WhatsApp

Step-by-step guide detailing how to create a passkey on WhatsApp

The phone we used was aOnePlus Nord N20 5Gwhich doesn’t support facial recognition although that is an option, according toWhatsApp.Android Policereveals in their report you can use a swipe pattern too and your information will be stored in the Google Password Manager for safekeeping. Do note passkeys on WhatsApp are optional. Conventional passwords as well aschat locksare still present.

No word if the patch will be made available on the iOS or desktop versions of WhatsApp, although we did reach out to Meta for details. This story will be updated at a later time.

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Cesar Cadenas has been writing about the tech industry for several years now specializing in consumer electronics, entertainment devices, Windows, and the gaming industry. But he’s also passionate about smartphones, GPUs, and cybersecurity.

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