WhatsApp Introduces Passkey Feature to Enhance Security

WhatsApp tests user logins through Passkeys, which is basically done with your phone’s biometric security and completely eliminates the need to remember passwords. Google and Apple have already introduced passwords to their web browsers this year, and more companies are building a password-free future, including Meta.

WhatsApp’s password feature makes your account more secure and allows people to see your device only if you give them consent. Passwords also work through Face ID, which is the only biometric option for iPhone users today. WhatsApp Password is currently only available in beta, and access has been given to a limited number of beta testers, as WABetainfo mentions in this report.

The use of Google passwords is limited to the device’s internal authentication, which gives it an extra layer of protection and no risk of data being compromised. WhatsApp also has the same password structure, and a messaging app that offers features like Linked Devices to access your WhatsApp account across multiple devices, passwords can be the best option to access and protect your accounts across all devices.

The fact that WhatsApp Passwords is entering beta suggests that the feature could be rolled out to all its users in the coming months. It will be interesting to see if WhatsApp brings third-party apps to passwords, allowing people to save them to those apps.

WhatsApp is also working on a native iPad app, spotted this week on TestFlight. The user interface is similar to the macOS and web versions, which should make it easy for users. It doesn’t have a live location sharing feature, but both video and voice calls can be supported from the start.

WhatsApp is also rumored to be Meta’s new revenue fodder, as the messaging app could finally bring ads, which the company’s chief has denied, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see Meta take this route with the platform in the near future.