Face ID Support for WhatsApp Chats Now Available for iOS Users
The security feature for iOS users was first reported in alpha stage and is now rolling out with a WhatsApp update.
iPhone users with Face ID support can now use the feature to lock their WhatsApp chats on their devices. Yes, this means you’ll be able to use Touch ID or the Face ID technology on the iPhone to secure the popular messaging app on the device.
This feature was first made available in alpha stage and was first highlighted by WABetainfo in 2018. The feature is rolling out to iPhone users via a WhatsApp software update, which should be reaching your devices as we write this.
It’s interesting that the biometric unlock feature for WhatsApp will be first available for iPhone and not Android phones.
WhatsApp had earlier said in the report that it will have no access and won’t be storing the biometric data on its server. The touch/face ID will be accessible from the privacy settings section on iPhones.
As you can see in the details of the update for iOS, Touch ID or Face ID will work by enabling it in the phone’s settings.
How to Enable Face ID/Touch ID for WhatsApp
- Go to Settings
- Select Account and then click on Privacy
- Enable Screen Lock on the iPhone X, XS or XS Max
You’ll be able to also unlock the app with a six-digit pass code, just in case you end up crossing the limit to unlock with touch or face ID.
Now that iPhone users are getting this feature, we’re hopeful Android peeps will get the feature soon. Till then, we’ll be waiting for the dark mode to roll out on WhatsApp, which is one of the many features expected from the popular messaging app this year.
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