Key facts
- WhatsApp is enhancing account security with stronger two-step verification.
- Users can now choose longer, alphanumeric passwords with special characters for two-step verification.
- Multiple passkeys can be added to a single WhatsApp account.
- Passkeys offer stronger security than passwords and use biometric authentication.
- Android users will see more context for calls from unknown numbers.
- Recent updates include usernames for profile sharing and a subscription plan.
WhatsApp has introduced several new security enhancements aimed at protecting user accounts from increasingly sophisticated phishing and hacking attempts. The messaging service, owned by Meta, is upgrading its two-step verification process to allow users to create longer, more complex alphanumeric passwords with special characters, moving beyond the previous six-digit PIN. This aims to make accounts more resistant to takeover, even if a one-time passcode is compromised.
In addition to password improvements, WhatsApp is expanding its support for passkeys. Users can now add multiple passkeys to their account, which is particularly beneficial for those who use both iOS and Android devices. Passkeys, first supported by WhatsApp in 2024, leverage biometric authentication like Face ID or fingerprint scans, offering a more secure alternative to traditional username and password combinations that are vulnerable to phishing.