According to a report by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp on iOS may soon be getting support for passkeys like it has on Android. The feature has been spotted in the newest beta release for WhatsApp on iOS. Though not available right now, it can be said with almost complete surety that the feature is coming to iOS very soon. This would not only put WhatsApp’s iOS equivalent on par with its Android version but also enhance user security while making it much more convenient.
What are passkeys, and how do they work?
Passkeys are an alternative to passwords and are more secure and also more user-friendly. Examples of passkeys include fingerprint scanning, face recognition, voice recognition, and PINs. What all of these have in common is that they are much easier to input than a password. Also, they are much easier to authenticate and are more secure in general. A thief might be able to figure out your password, but they won’t be able to mimic your fingerprint. Passkeys have been making their way into pretty much all services that require authentication, and WhatsApp is next.
What will passkeys on WhatsApp iOS be used for?
WhatsApp iOS beta version 24.2.10.73, available via TestFlight, shows that the passkey feature is under development. Its primary use is to allow users a way to log in to their WhatsApp accounts without the need for a code. Also, passkeys serve as an alternative in case users are unable to access the required code. And, as mentioned above, passkeys are also much more secure as a method of identity authentication.
This feature has been available on Android for a while and is finally making its way to iOS as well. Not to be confused with the passkey requirement to open the app, this feature will exclusively be used to log in to a WhatsApp account. iOS has the Apple Keychain to store passwords and passkeys, and will most likely be compatible with this upcoming method of authentication. Lastly, the setting will be optional. If a user wants to stick to the traditional method for logging in, they most certainly can.
Though Apple’s iMessage reigns supreme in the United States, WhatsApp and Telegram are big around the world. WhatsApp has often been mocked for being quite behind Telegram when it comes to features and services. Meta has been making many changes to WhatsApp; polishing it up and bringing it on par with competing services. With these recent changes, WhatsApp has finally become a worthy competitor, and it only continues to improve.
2024-01-31 15:06:33