Meta has added support for passkeys to the latest beta version of WhatsApp for Android (v2.23.20.4). Once people enable this feature, they can log into their WhatsApp account on an Android device the next time they set up the app by authenticating their identity using biometrics (fingerprint scanning or facial recognition), PIN, or pattern. It means that, with passkeys, people will no longer have to enter an OTP into the app to log into their account on the platform, making the logging-in process easier.
If you don’t know what passkeys are, you can read our article about Microsoft adding support for passkeys to Windows 11, where we have explained how this technology works in detail. Passkeys are digital credentials created using password managers and saved into the same service. It is a new way of logging into a website or application account without entering a password. Passkeys offer enhanced security besides eliminating the need for you to remember complex passwords.
How do passkeys work in WhatsApp?
As for passkeys in WhatsApp, you can set the passwordless authentication method in the app by navigating to WhatsApp Settings » Account » Passkeys and tapping Create a passkey. WhatsApp will now ask you to choose a password manager on the device that supports the feature, such as 1Password, Google Password Manager, and NordPass. After selecting a desired option, WhatsApp will save the passkey to your selected password manager. Voila, you’ve successfully set up passkeys in WhatsApp.
Now, if you need to log into the WhatsApp account on your Android device again, you can just provide the app with the passkey stored in the password manager by authenticating your identity with biometrics, PIN, or pattern. You will not have to enter an OTP to log into your WhatsApp account. This feature lets you sign into WhatsApp on your Android smartphone or tablet even when the device has no cellular network. Meta might roll out passkeys to the public in the next few months.
The rate at which Meta is adding features to WhatsApp is increasing every day. Since last month, the company has added at least four new features to WhatsApp, including the ability to send high-quality photos and videos, support for Avatars in video calls, Channels, and new payment methods in the app for shopping on the platform.
