- Jan 24, 2011
- 9,378
We've known WhatsApp would be enabling 2-factor authentication for many months now, but the functionality has only just gone live in some of the latest beta versions of the app (2.16.341 and above, maybe even earlier).
If you head over to your account settings in WhatsApp, you'll see a new Two-step verification option. Tap it to get to a screen that explains what 2-step verification is and get the option to enable it.
You'll then have to enter a 6-digit passcode that you'll be asked for each time you try to register your phone number with WhatsApp, and confirm it. You'll also need to give an email address that'll be used to reset your passcode should you forget it.
Once that's done, two-step verification will be active on your phone number. No one will be able to activate WhatsApp with the same phone number unless they have the passcode or access to the email account to reset it.
Another welcome improvement to WhatsApp, which was introduced a few beta versions ago too, is the option to play audio messages in the background. Previously, you had to keep WhatsApp open and stay within the conversation to hear any voice message received in it. Now, you can wander away freely, switch to other conversations or even other apps, and as long as the voice message isn't over and your phone's screen doesn't turn off, the audio will continue playing.
Read more: WhatsApp enables two-step verification and can now play audio messages in the background
If you head over to your account settings in WhatsApp, you'll see a new Two-step verification option. Tap it to get to a screen that explains what 2-step verification is and get the option to enable it.
You'll then have to enter a 6-digit passcode that you'll be asked for each time you try to register your phone number with WhatsApp, and confirm it. You'll also need to give an email address that'll be used to reset your passcode should you forget it.
Once that's done, two-step verification will be active on your phone number. No one will be able to activate WhatsApp with the same phone number unless they have the passcode or access to the email account to reset it.
Another welcome improvement to WhatsApp, which was introduced a few beta versions ago too, is the option to play audio messages in the background. Previously, you had to keep WhatsApp open and stay within the conversation to hear any voice message received in it. Now, you can wander away freely, switch to other conversations or even other apps, and as long as the voice message isn't over and your phone's screen doesn't turn off, the audio will continue playing.
Read more: WhatsApp enables two-step verification and can now play audio messages in the background
