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-goUTWQc0Ds.jpg "A key beside the WhatsApp Logo")
WhatsApp is ditching SMS one-time passcodes for iPhone users, opting for a more secure login method: passkeys. This announcement comes six months after WhatsApp introduced passkey support for Android users.
"Passkey verification will make logging back into WhatsApp easier and more secure," said WhatsApp's head of product, Alice Newton-Rex, in a statement on Wednesday. "We're excited to launch this on WhatsApp and give users an added layer of security."
The feature is currently rolling out and will be available to all iPhone users in the coming weeks. Once enabled, users can log in using facial recognition, Touch ID, or a PIN stored securely on Apple's passkey manager.
This switch to passkeys offers several advantages. It eliminates the vulnerability of SMS codes, which can be intercepted by hackers. Additionally, it removes the need for remembering complex username and password combinations, a common target for phishing attacks.
Enabling passkey verification is simple. Users just need to navigate to the "Account" settings within the WhatsApp app and click on the new "Passkeys" option.
WhatsApp joins a growing list of companies adopting passkey technology, including X (formerly Twitter), Google, PayPal, and TikTok. This shift towards a more secure login method signifies a positive step for online account security.
