WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion active users. It allows people to easily communicate with friends, family and coworkers through end-to-end encrypted messages, calls and video chats.
While WhatsApp’s encryption provides a high level of security for messages in transit, there are still potential vulnerabilities when it comes to account access. This is where two-step verification comes in – adding an extra layer of security to help protect WhatsApp accounts from unauthorized access.
What is two-step verification?
Two-step verification, also known as two-factor authentication or 2FA, is an extra security measure that requires users to provide two different forms of identification when logging in to an account. The first is the usual password, and the second is another credential from a different category, such as:
- A temporary code sent via text message or phone call
- A code from a mobile authentication app
- Biometric data like a fingerprint or face scan
With 2FA enabled, even if someone knows or guesses a user’s password, they still cannot access the account without also providing the second factor. This significantly decreases the chances of an unauthorized login.
How does two-step verification work in WhatsApp?
Enabling two-step verification in WhatsApp adds an extra login step that requires users to enter a six-digit PIN of their choosing. Here is how it works:
- The user goes into WhatsApp Settings > Account > Two-Step Verification and taps Enable.
- They are prompted to enter a six-digit PIN and confirm it by entering it again. This PIN becomes their secondary login credential moving forward.
- To log in to WhatsApp now, users must enter not only their phone number and password as usual, but also the PIN. Without it, they cannot access their account.
- The user can also optionally provide an email address to help reset or recover the PIN if they forget it.
Once enabled, the two-step verification PIN must be entered correctly when registering WhatsApp on a new device in addition to the regular password. This prevents unauthorized registrations.
What are the benefits?
Here are some of the key benefits of enabling two-step verification in WhatsApp:
- Enhanced account security – With 2FA, potential attackers need more than just your password to log in. This provides effective protection against unauthorized account access.
- Password reuse no longer as risky – Many people reuse passwords across accounts for convenience. 2FA protects your WhatsApp account even if your password is compromised elsewhere.
- Extra protection for lost or stolen devices – If your phone is ever lost or stolen, two-step verification can prevent access to your WhatsApp account from that device.
- Optional email recovery – The ability to add an email address provides account recovery options if you ever lose your 2FA PIN.
- Peace of mind – Knowing your WhatsApp account has an extra layer of security can give you confidence your personal conversations and data are safe.
What are the drawbacks?
While two-step verification significantly improves WhatsApp security, there are some potential disadvantages to be aware of as well:
- Extra steps to log in – Having to enter a PIN every time you register your account on a new device or reinstall the app can be annoying for some users.
- Risk of forgetting PIN – If you forget your six-digit PIN, it can be difficult to regain access to your account. Setting a recovery email helps mitigate this.
- SMS verification problems – If using SMS for your second factor, issues with cell reception or switching numbers can interfere with receiving verification codes.
- Lack of backup options – Unlike some other authentication apps, WhatsApp itself does not let you generate backup verification codes to print out or save elsewhere.
Is two-step verification mandatory for WhatsApp?
As of now, two-step verification is completely optional on WhatsApp. Users have the choice of whether they want to enable it as an added security measure. It is not required to use the messaging platform.
However, WhatsApp actively encourages users to turn on two-step verification for stronger account protection. Their FAQ states: “For the best security, we strongly recommend enabling two-step verification.” The setup process is simple and only takes a few minutes.
There has been some speculation that WhatsApp could make two-step verification mandatory in the future, similar to how Google transitioned to requiring 2FA for all Google accounts. However, WhatsApp has made no official announcements about this at this time.
Should I use two-step verification on WhatsApp?
For most users, enabling two-factor authentication is recommended to boost WhatsApp security. Here are some key factors to help decide if you should use it:
| Pros of Enabling 2FA | Cons of Enabling 2FA |
|---|---|
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Based on the above comparison, the security benefits appear to heavily outweigh the minor inconveniences for most WhatsApp users. Of course, it also depends on your personal threat model and how sensitive the data is in your particular WhatsApp account.
For example, two-step verification may be more critical for journalists, activists or others who rely on WhatsApp to discuss sensitive topics and need the highest level of account security. For ordinary users just chatting with friends or family, the extra login steps may feel unnecessary.
Overall though, given that enabling two-factor authentication is free and easy, it’s a simple way to add significant protection for your WhatsApp account. Unless you have a strong reason not to, it’s recommended to turn it on, especially if you use WhatsApp extensively.
Tips for using two-step verification effectively
If you decide to enable two-step verification for your WhatsApp account, keep these tips in mind to ensure it works smoothly:
- Save your backup codes – When you enable 2FA, WhatsApp generates a list of backup verification codes. Print or save these codes in case you ever lose access to your primary verification method.
- Memorize your PIN – Don’t store your six-digit PIN in a visible place. Memorize it or store it very securely, like in a password manager.
- Set up recovery options – Add an email address and security question to your WhatsApp account in case you need to recover your PIN.
- Use a mobile authenticator app – For enhanced security, use a third party authentication app like Authy or Google Authenticator instead of SMS verification.
- Remove inactive devices – If you have old devices linked to your WhatsApp account, log in and remove them to enhance security.
Following these best practices helps ensure you don’t get locked out of your account. And you get the full protective benefits of having two-step verification enabled on WhatsApp.
Can you remove two-step verification from WhatsApp?
If you enable two-step verification on WhatsApp but later decide you want to remove it, that is fortunately possible through a few simple steps:
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Account > Two-Step Verification.
- Enter your six digit PIN when prompted.
- Tap on Disable two-step verification and confirm when prompted again.
Disabling two-step verification requires entering your current PIN correctly. If you no longer know your PIN, then you will need to go through the WhatsApp account recovery process to regain access and remove 2FA.
It’s worth noting that while you can disable two-step verification at any time, this will remove the extra security on your WhatsApp account, so only do this if you have a compelling reason.
Conclusion
Two-step verification adds significant extra security to safeguard WhatsApp accounts from unauthorized logins and access. While not without some potential drawbacks, the benefits far outweigh the minor inconveniences for most users.
Enabling two-factor authentication is quick, easy, and free. Unless you regularly need to use WhatsApp on public or shared devices, it is highly recommended to turn on two-step verification.
This simple step can go a long way in keeping your WhatsApp account and conversations private and secure. Given how heavily many people rely on WhatsApp, taking advantage of the available security features just makes good sense.