WhatsApp beefs up security; adds Two-step verification for Android beta users

Popular messaging app WhatsApp has now started rolling out two-step verification for the latest Android beta versions of the app. Users will now see the new Two-step verification option in the Account settings. To activate it, open WhatsApp > Settings > Account > Two-step verification > Enable. Two-step verification isn’t compulsory and rather, an optional feature that adds more security to your account.

Upon enabling this feature, you can optionally enter your email address as well. This email address will allow WhatsApp to send you a link via email to disable two-step verification in case you ever forget your six-digit passcode. The company recommends that users provide an accurate email address so that they aren’t locked out of their account if they ever forget the passcode.

According to the WhatsApp Support page, if you have the two-step verification enabled, your number will not be permitted to reverify on WhatsApp within 7 days of last using WhatsApp without your passcode. Thus, if you forget your own passcode, but did not provide an email to disable two-step verification, even you will not be permitted to reverify on WhatsApp within 7 days of last using WhatsApp.

The company added that after these 7 days, your number will be permitted to reverify on WhatsApp without your passcode, but you will lose all pending messages upon reverifying - they will be deleted. If your number is reverified on WhatsApp after 30 days of last using WhatsApp, and without your passcode, your account will be deleted and a new one will be created upon successfully reverifying.