Skip to main content

WhatsApp for iPhone Gets Face ID, Touch ID Biometric Authentication

By

HIGHLIGHTS

  • WhatsApp for iPhone has a Screen Lock option to enable the new feature
  • The feature can be enabled immediately or after an interval
  • Outlook and Signal are offering a similar experience for some time

WhatsApp for iPhone has received an important update through build version 2.19.20. The latest update brings the anticipated biometric authentication that allows users to lock the WhatsApp on their iPhone models by deploying the native Face ID or Touch ID. The new feature, which has been in anticipation since October last year - when the new authentication addition was reported for the first time, works similarly to how you can lock Outlook or Signal on your iPhone. It essentially applies biometric authentication to open WhatsApp. However, the feature doesn't add the additional security to your individual WhatsApp conversations. WhatsApp for Android is also in the rumours to bring a similar form of authentication layer in the coming future.


With the latest WhatsApp update, you can lock the WhatsApp app with Face ID or Touch ID by going to Settings > Account > Privacy > Screen Lock. Once you moved to the Screen Lock screen, the app shows the available authentication method - either Face ID or Touch ID - that you can enable to lock your WhatsApp. You can also choose whether you want the biometric authentication requirement immediately or after an interval of a minute, 15 minutes, or an hour.



WhatsApp still allows users to reply to messages from notifications and answer calls, without requiring biometric authentication. Also, once unlocked after successfully detecting the correct biometrics - either through Face ID or Touch ID feature - the instant messaging app opens access to all your messages. This means the latest development doesn't lock your WhatsApp chats on an individual basis.
The ability to unlock using Face ID or Touch ID on WhatsApp works similar to how Outlook and Signal are offering biometric authentication on their iPhone apps for several months. Further, the use of biometrics to unlock could help WhatsApp officially launch its payments feature in India and other markets. The feature is in the testing stage since February last year. Notably, Google Pay that also supports UPI-based transactions, is already supporting Face ID and Touch ID to enable biometric authentication.
References of the new update were reported back in October last year. Recently, WhatsApp for Android was also reportedly found with some instances to support fingerprint authentication on Android devices.
To experience the new change, you need to download the latest WhatsApp version from the App Store. The app is 137.7MB in size and is compatible with iPhone models running iOS 8.0 and above.

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Please give some suggestions or share your experience here...

Popular posts from this blog

LG V40 ThinQ With Five Cameras Announced

By
HIGHLIGHTS LG V40 ThinQ has been announced in South Korea It comes with three rear cameras, two front cameras The smartphone will sport a 6.4-inch display panel LG V40 ThinQ, the latest flagship phablet, has been announced by the South Korean electronics giant on Thursday. This announcement comes just days before the official launch event scheduled for October 3 in New York, followed by a launch in Seoul, South Korea the next day. Consistent with the leaks, the LG V40 ThinQ flagship sports three camera sensors at the back and two on the front. LG has also announced that the V40 ThinQ will sport a large 6.4-inch display with an unknown resolution and aspect ratio. The company has also confirmed that the LG V40 ThinQ will be launched in Carmine Red, Moroccan Blue, and Platinum Grey colour options. Apart from that, a teaser trailer posted by LG Korea shows off a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor on the smartphone. No other specifications or ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Samsung Galaxy S8, S8+, and Note 8 will get the new One UI: Report

By
Samsung's One UI will be made available on the Galaxy S8, S8+ and Galaxy Note 8. Samsung 's One UI improves one-handed use and adds a system-wide dark theme. Samsung’s newly announced user interface, One UI, will come to the Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ and Galaxy Note 8 after all. Samsung in a statement to Android Authority has confirmed that the company’s previous-generation flagships will be updated with the revamped user interface, though the exact release date of the rollout is unknown. One UI will be officially coming to the Galaxy S9 and S9+, alongside the Galaxy Note 9 in January 2019. Separately, Samsung leakster @IceUniverse has also confirmed that One UI will be making its way to the Galaxy S8, S8+ and Note 8. The leakster claims this piece of information has come from a senior Samsung official, which makes it sound believable.  A previous report suggested that the refreshed One UI wouldn’t be coming Samsung’s 2017 line of flagship smartphones, such as the Galaxy ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Samsung Galaxy M21 and Galaxy A50s get price cut in India

By
The Galaxy M21 and Galaxy A50s received price hikes last month The handsets are already listed with new price on Samsung's website The deliveries will still start after the lockdown period ends in the country Samsung Galaxy M21 and Galaxy A50s models have now received price cut in India. Notably, the handsets received a price hike just last month after the government announced the GST rate increase. Following the price hike, the Galaxy M21 variant with 4GB RAM + 64GB storage increased to Rs 14,222 while the model with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage was retailing for Rs 16,329. Now, both the models have received a price cut and the 4GB RAM variant is now available for Rs 13,199 while the 6GB RAM has been listed at the brand's website at Rs 15,499. On the other hand, the 4GB RAM + 128GB storage model and 6GB + 128GB models of the Galaxy A50s were available for Rs 21,070 and Rs 26,900 following the price hikes by the company. After the latest price cut, you will be able...
Post a Comment
Read more