Two-step verification is an optional feature that adds more security to your account. When you have two-step verification enabled, any attempt to verify your phone number on WhatsApp must be accompanied by the six-digit passcode that you created using this feature.
WhatsApp has rolled out two-step verification to all of its user base, the company quietly announced through an updated FAQ on its website. The additional security measure allows you to protect your account with 6-digit passcode that must be entered in order to register your phone number with WhatsApp.
The measure can protect your account from unauthorized access, as it provides an additional layer of security.
Once enabled, any attempt to verify your phone number on WhatsApp will require the passcode, the company says.
Users can also choose to enter a recovery email address, but this is optional. If you ever forget your passcode, a link can be emailed to this address that will allow you to disable the two-step verification in order to access your account. WhatsApp notes that the email address is not verified, so you’ll need to be careful to enter it correctly.
However, the company tries to make sure that users won’t forget their passcode – the app will periodically ask you to re-enter your passcode from time to time, helping you keep it fresh in mind. There’s no option to disable these prompts either, if you have two-step enabled.
Additionally, WhatsApp has taken extra steps to keep your account safe, it says. When you have two-step verification enabled, your number will not be permitted to reverify on WhatsApp within 7 days of last using WhatsApp without your passcode, the company notes. After the 7 days have passed, 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.
Meanwhile, 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.
The feature was available to WhatsApp beta testers this November, but is now rolling out to all 1.2 billion users.
To enable/disable two-step verification, follow:
- Open WhatsApp >
- Settings >
- Account >
- Two-step verification >
- Enable/Disable
Upon enabling this feature, you can also optionally enter your email address. 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, and also to help safeguard your account. WhatsApp do not verify this email address to confirm its accuracy. WhatsApp highly recommend you provide an accurate email address so that you're not locked out of your account if you forget your passcode.
Important: If you receive an email to disable two-step verification, but did not request this, do not click on the link. Someone could be attempting to verify your phone number on WhatsApp.
If you have 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. 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.
Note: To help you remember your passcode, WhatsApp will periodically ask you to enter your passcode. There is no option to disable this without disabling the two-step verification feature.
0 comments:
Post a Comment