Privacy is an important aspect of messaging platforms, and WhatsApp comes with a lot of built-in privacy features, one of them being two-step verification, which is exactly what the name suggests. This feature isn’t enabled by default, so here’s how to enable and set up two-step verification on WhatsApp on Android and iOS.
Once enabled, the feature asks users for a code when they try to log in to their WhatsApp account. Since you can use your account on up to five devices, two-step verification becomes extremely crucial to ensure that no one uses your WhatsApp account. There are subtle differences between enabling two-step verification on Android and iOS. However, the overall process is quite similar and effortless.
Enable WhatsApp Two-Step Verification on Android
WhatsApp two-step verification can be enabled on an Android phone from the Account section of the app. Here’s how to do it.
- On WhatsApp, tap the 3 dots icon top right.
- In the drop-down menu, tap Settings.
- Now go to Account > Two-step verification.
- In the two-step verification screen, tap To Light Up.
- Enter a 6-digit PIN that you can easily remember. Re-enter this PIN to confirm and press To safeguard.
- WhatsApp will then ask you to add an email address in case you forget your PIN. To do this, tap Add an email address to set an email.
- Enter your email address on the next screen and tap To Safeguard. A code will be sent to you by email.
- Now go to your email and copy the code you receive.
- Finally, open WhatsApp again and paste the code into the text field.
- Then press Check to add your email address to your WhatsApp account.
Enable WhatsApp Two-Step Verification on iPhone
Enabling WhatsApp two-step verification on iOS is largely similar to Android, except for the UI changes.
- Launch WhatsApp on your iPhone and tap the Settings tab at the bottom right.
- Access to Account > Two-step verification.
- On this screen, press To light up.
- Now enter a 6-digit PIN that you can easily remember, then enter this PIN again to confirm.
- WhatsApp will ask you to add an email address in case you forget your PIN. Tap Add Email Address to continue.
- Here, enter your email address and press To safeguard. A code will be sent to you by email.
- Enter this code on WhatsApp and tap Check to confirm.
And this is how you can enable two-step verification on WhatsApp. If you have any doubts, let us know in the comments section below.
Q. What happens if I forget my PIN and haven’t verified it by email?
A. You will be able to re-verify your WhatsApp account without the password after 7 days. However, you will eventually lose all your pending messages.
Q. How often does WhatsApp ask for a two-step verification PIN?
A. WhatsApp frequently asks you for your two-step verification PIN when you try to log in from a new device.
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