WhatsApp has introduced the long awaited fingerprint verification into its Android beta version. This feature allows you to make use of the in-app biometric feature to add an extra security measure to your Android smartphones. Let’s just say the 2FA (Two factor authentication) just got better.
As stated earlier, the feature is available to the WhatsApp beta version for Android users. You’ll need to upgrade your phone from the official WhatsApp to the latest beta version (v2.19.221) for you to access this.
Back to the matter, the fingerprint verification can be accessed by doing the following:
- Tap on the hamburger icon at the top right corner of the app.
- Next, you’ll tap on Accounts
- From there, you’ll click on Privacy
- Lastly, you’ll tap on Fingerprint Lock to enable it.
You can also choose how frequent you want the fingerprint authentication prompt to pop up. You have to bear in mind that the WhatsApp Fingerprint verification is strictly for the app alone, and not individual chats.
There’s a bit of flexibility to the whole WhatsApp fingerprint verification though. You can respond to chats directly from the notification bar if you want to. All you have to do is enable “Show content in notifications” under the Fingerprint Lock settings in the app.
If it’s enabled, you can preview your WhatsApp messages and reply them without having to use the biometrics. You know it can be burdensome if you have to unlock the app with fingerprint while you have something urgent to do.
There’s a catch to this feature; it works on Android versions from Marshmallow and above. So, if you belong to the Nougat, Oreo and Pie family, WhatsApp Fingerprint Verification is good to go for you.
Meanwhile, the feature seems to be rolling out one region at a time, as well as one Android brand at a time. While some Samsung and Huawei devices supported, some others didn’t. So, if yours doesn’t, take a chill pill, as it will eventually get to your smartphone.
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