WhatsApp Rolls Out Passkeys On iOS

Instant messaging application WhatsApp is rolling out passkeys on the iOS app, the company notified this development on the microblogging platform X on Thursday.

Passkey authentication was first introduced on WhatsApp for Android in October last year. This feature is optional for users on the Android version of the app and serves as a replacement for the SMS-based one-time password login method for those who choose to opt-in. 

Passkeys on the iOS app will help WhatsApp users with the ability to log in using FaceID, TouchID or Passcode.

Passkeys provide users with an alternative to password-based authentication. Instead of using an alphanumeric password or conventional passwords, users can secure their WhatsApp using biometrics such as fingerprints or facial scans with passkeys.

The passkey authentication comes in two parts, some login data is stored on the website's server, while the remaining is stored on the user's device, eliminating the risk of external access remotely, as the user's device is also required to log-in.

To set up a passkey, users must first switch to WhatsApp’s latest version.