WhatsApp has been updated with a new security feature today. WhatsApp adds the Face ID and Fingerprint ID unlock support for iOS users. All the iPhone and iPad owners can now benefit from this new feature. This feature has been added to the latest WhatsApp carrying the build number 2.19.20. In this guide, you will find the steps to enable Face ID for WhatsApp on iOS. Before learning how you can turn on the Face ID or Fingerprint ID for WhatsApp on iOS, it is important to learn about the background of this feature.
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Face ID and Fingerprint ID support for WhatsApp
The Face ID and
WhatsApp has become much more secure with this added layer of security. The most popular messaging platform already uses end-to-end encryption. With this new addition, WhatsApp takes security to a whole new level. Users do not have to worry about leaving their phones unlocked now or leaving their phone in someone else’s hands. No one should be able to snoop into your personal/private WhatsApp messages.
Users can still reply to messages from the notifications using the quick reply feature. However, every time you want to open WhatsApp, it is going to ask you for biometric verification. It is to be noted here that this lock does not apply to each and every single chat individually. This applies to the WhatsApp application as a whole. Unlocking once means you will have access to all of your chats.
Face ID Unlock and Fingeprint Unlock Feature for More Apps
In past, we have seen a number of smartphone users getting third-party applications to lock other applications on their phones. The third-party applications have a ton of loopholes. Those apps do not protect anything at all. It is a great idea to have this kind of a feature as a native feature on an application like WhatsApp. This does not only minimize the need of a third-party application, but this also leaves space for other applications to follow WhatsApp’s footsteps. It would be great to see Viber, IMO, Messenger, and Facebook taking similar security measures.
It’s time to get back to the tutorial to enable Face ID for WhatsApp on iOS.
Note: This guide is applicable to all iPhones and iPads that have Fingperprint ID or Face ID Unlock. It supports iPhone 5S, 6, 6 Plus, 6S, 6S Plus, 7, 7 Plus, 8, 8 Plus, X, XR, XS, XS Max, and all iPads.
Enable Face ID for WhatsApp on iOS
Follow these steps now to enable Face ID or Fingerprint ID for WhatsApp on iOS.
- First of all, open App Store and update WhatsApp to v2.19.20.
This feature has been added to the latest WhatsApp updated with version number 2.19.20. Open the App Store on your iPhone/iPad and update WhatsApp first. If you have already updated, skip this step.
- Now open WhatsApp on your iPhone.
The next step is to open the WhatsApp application on your phone. If this is your first time, set up WhatsApp using your phone number.
- Go to Settings > Account > Privacy > Screen Lock
Now in WhatsApp, click on Settings and then go to Account. Under Account, click on Privacy. You will find the “Screen Lock” option at the bottom. Click on it to open the Face ID settings.
- Click on “Require Face ID” and set the time, that’s all.
Tap the Radio button to turn on Face ID or Fingerprint ID now. Set the time whether you want WhatsApp to ask for Face ID immediately, after 1 minute, or after any other timespan. Close WhatsApp. Open it again and it will ask for biometric verification. That’s all.
Wrap Up
That is pretty much it with this tutorial. This is a great feature for those looking for more privacy and security. If you find something difficult in this guide, or something is wrong with WhatsApp on your phone, feel free to reach out to us. I will try my best to get back to you as soon as possible.
