How to enable passkeys on WhatsApp for Android

WhatsApp is taking a significant step forward in enhancing the security and user experience of its Android application by introducing Passkeys for passwordless login. This feature promises to bid farewell to the often insecure and occasionally annoying two-factor SMS authentication that Android users have relied on.

Passkey support on WhatsApp will help you easily log into your account while setting up a new device more safely and easily. This option will require your phone’s biometric authentication ways (like fingerprint and face unlock) and will provide you with a cryptographic key to easily log in. It would be that simple and quick!

So, there won’t be a need for the hassle of waiting for the OTPs and two-factor authentication. And if you often forget the complex password combinations (at least I do!), this will be the thing for you. It is revealed that Passkeys will be stored on your Google Password Manager so logging in from another device is also possible.

For the uninitiated, Google introduced Passkeys last year created by FIDO Alliance. This alliance also included Apple and Microsoft and the venture was initiated around three years ago. While ensuring a quicker and safer way of signing in, Passkeys also ensure you don’t log into a malicious app or website as each key is unique to an app or website.

You should know that it will take some time for all to entirely adopt a password-less setup. Hence, this will remain an option and you will still get an option to log in via an OTP. This will be true for other platforms too.

Also Read: WhatsApp is working on Group Chat Events

To recall, WhatsApp was earlier testing the Passkey support as part of its Android beta program. There’s no word on when WhatsApp for iOS will get Passkeys. For Android users, this should start rolling out for all in the coming weeks.

How to enable passkeys on WhatsApp for Android

While the feature is yet to reach devices all over the world, here is a look at how you can enable the new passkeys option on WhatsApp as or when you receive it.

Open WhatsApp and access the settings menu.
Tap on “Account.”
Select “Passkeys.”
Choose “Create a passkey.”
Read the informational popup explaining passkey functionality.
Tap “Continue.”
A notification from Google Password Manager will appear, asking if you want to create a passkey for WhatsApp.
Select “Continue” and opt to “Use screen lock” to enable logging in with your phone’s screen lock method. Your WhatsApp passkey will now be displayed for your reference.