WhatsApp brings Two-step verification for Android ‘beta’ users: How to enable

WhatsApp Two-step verification on Android beta app: Here’s how to enable and use the feature.

WhatsApp has started rolling out two-step verification feature for users on Android ‘beta’. The instant messaging platform said this authentication method ‘adds more security’ to an account. With the two-step verification enabled, a user will have to enter a six-digit pass code (that they pick) when setting up the account again on a different device.

To enable two-step verification for your WhatsApp account, users need to be on the beta version of the app. Signing up for beta version is possible from Google’s Play Store. Just go to the WhatsApp page in Play Store on your mobile, and keep scrolling down. You should see an option to sign-in as beta tester; hit sign-up and you’ll be accepted as a beta tester within a few minutes.

Now once you have the beta app, just open WhatsApp settings, go to the account, and you will see the two-step verification feature. Tap on it to enable, and you’ll be asked to enter a six digit code. This code will protect your account from being used by someone else, as WhatsApp will ask for it when you are setting up the account on a new mobile device.

When enabling this function, users will also get an option to add their email address for further protection. By linking the email, users can ensure they have some way of getting into their account should they forget their six-digit code. With email linked, users can ask WhatsApp to mail them an email link to disable two-step authentication in case their forget their code.

Also read: New privacy policy: Should you worry about WhatsApp’s new info-sharing with Facebook?

WhatApp warns that if someone receives an email to disable two-step authentication without having sent the request themselves they should refrain from clicking on the link. “We do not verify this email address to confirm its accuracy. We highly recommend you provide an accurate email address so that you’re not locked out of your account if you forget your pass code,” the WhatsApp team said in a blog post.

WhatsApp also cautioned users will not be able to re-verify their account within seven days of last using the app without the pass code. This entails that if a user has forgotten his pass code, and hasn’t provided an email id to receive the disable link. Post the seven days period, the user will be able to verify their account without the pass code, but will lose all older messages. “If your number is re-verified on WhatsApp after 30 days of last using WhatsApp, and without your pass code, your account will be deleted and a new one will be created upon successfully re-verifying,” the post added.

WhatsApp says it will periodically ask people about their code in order to ensure people don’t forget it. There is no option to disable this feature without disabling the two-step verification feature.