WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion users. It allows people to easily communicate with friends, family and coworkers. However, there are risks associated with using any messaging app. Your WhatsApp account could potentially be hacked, giving someone access to your personal conversations and contacts. Enabling 2-step verification adds an extra layer of security to help protect your account from unauthorized access.
What is 2-step verification?
2-step verification is a security feature that requires you to provide two different forms of authentication when logging into your account from a new device. The first step is to enter your normal password. The second step is to input a 6-digit code or approve a prompt sent to your phone via text message or phone call. This ensures that even if someone knows your password, they cannot access your account without also having access to your phone.
How does 2-step verification work on WhatsApp?
When you enable 2-step verification on WhatsApp, you will be asked to provide a 6-digit PIN. Going forward, every time you register your phone number with WhatsApp on a new device, you will need to enter this PIN after verifying your phone number via SMS or voice call. This adds an extra layer of protection on top of your normal WhatsApp password.
Here is a step-by-step overview of how it works:
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Account > Two-step verification > Enable
- Enter a 6-digit PIN and confirm it
- Provide an email address this PIN can be reset to if you forget it
- When registering your phone number with WhatsApp in the future, you will need to enter this PIN after verifying via SMS or call
Once enabled, any attempt to verify your phone number on a new device will require your 6-digit PIN. You will not be able to bypass this verification step.
What are the benefits of enabling 2-step verification?
Here are some of the key benefits of using 2-step verification on WhatsApp:
- Enhanced account security – The extra verification step makes it much harder for someone else to access your account, even if they know or obtain your password.
- Protection against unauthorized access – 2SV helps prevent hackers and scammers from taking over your account without your knowledge.
- Alerts you about suspicious activity – If someone tries to verify your number on a new device, you will get a notification and be prompted for the PIN code.
- Works on top of existing security – It adds an additional layer while still allowing you to use your normal password or fingerprint for convenience.
- Mandatory verification for new devices – Unlike normal passwords, the 6-digit PIN cannot be bypassed when registering your number on a new device.
Overall, enabling 2SV significantly improves your WhatsApp account security with minimal inconvenience. It is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself from unauthorized access or hacking.
What are the potential downsides?
While 2SV is highly recommended, there are a few potential downsides to be aware of:
- Having to enter a PIN code when registering your number on a new device can be an extra hassle, especially if you switch devices frequently.
- If you forget your 6-digit PIN, the only way to recover it is via the email address you provided. Not having access to that email could lock you out of your account.
- Receiving SMS and voice call verification messages can be inconvenient at times.
- You may occasionally be unable to access your WhatsApp if you do not have phone service or cannot receive the verification message for some reason.
However, in most cases the minor inconvenience is worth the enhanced security 2SV provides. You can minimize hassle by using a PIN you can remember easily and ensuring your recovery email is accessible.
Should I use SMS or voice call verification?
When enabling 2-step verification on WhatsApp, you have the option to receive verification codes via either SMS text message or automated voice call. Here is an overview of how these two methods compare:
| Verification Method | SMS | Voice Call |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Fast delivery of code via text message | Takes longer to receive full automated call |
| Convenience | Can read code easily in text message | Must listen to entire call to get full code |
| Accessibility | Requires cellular signal for SMS | Only requires phone service, no SMS needed |
| Security | SMS messages can be intercepted | More secure voice call method |
| Cost | May incur SMS fees | No extra costs for voice call |
In summary, SMS verification is faster and more convenient, but voice calls are more accessible and secure. If you have a good cellular signal, SMS may be preferred for simplicity. But in areas with poor signal, voice verification is the better option.
How secure is WhatsApp 2-step verification?
WhatsApp’s implementation of 2-step verification is quite secure and provides strong protection against unauthorized account access. Here are some key reasons it is effective:
- The 6-digit PIN is encrypted and stored locally on your device rather than WhatsApp’s servers.
- PIN codes are randomly generated for maximum security.
- SMS and voice call verification methods add an independent second factor.
- The PIN must be entered correctly within 7 days before it is reset.
- Backups are encrypted so your PIN is not exposed if your backup is compromised.
- WhatsApp cannot bypass or disable 2SV without accessing your device.
- The feature aligns with industry security standards and best practices.
Of course, no security is perfect, but WhatsApp has implemented 2SV in a robust and secure way based on encryption and verification techniques that greatly improve account security overall.
Should I set up 2-step verification?
Given the significant security enhancements provided by 2-step verification, it is highly recommended for all WhatsApp users to enable this feature. The pros strongly outweigh the cons in most situations. Here are some key reasons you should set it up:
- Provides important added protection from hacking attempts
- Adds only minor inconvenience for major security benefits
- Helps prevent unauthorized access if your password is compromised
- Gives you peace of mind knowing your account is more secure
- Alignment with standard security best practices for authentication
- Highly effective at stopping account takeovers
- Free to enable and simple to configure
Unless you have an unusual need to frequently switch devices and find SMS verification inconvenient, there are no major downsides to enabling 2SV on your WhatsApp account. Given how heavily many people rely on WhatsApp for communication, the extra security is well worth it.
How to enable 2-step verification
Enabling 2SV on WhatsApp only takes a few minutes. Follow these steps:
- Open the WhatsApp app on your phone
- Go to Settings > Account > Two-step verification
- Tap “Enable” and enter a 6-digit PIN of your choice
- Confirm the PIN when prompted
- Provide an email address you can access to reset your PIN if needed
- Tap “Save” and verify your phone number via SMS or voice call
That’s all there is to it! As long as you save your PIN in a secure place, you can comfortably enable this important security feature knowing your WhatsApp account has extra protection.
Can I restore my account if I lose my 2-step verification PIN?
If you forget or lose your 6-digit WhatsApp 2SV PIN, it can be reset through the email address you provided when originally enabling the feature. Here is the process to restore access to your account:
- When prompted for your PIN, tap “Forgot PIN?”
- Enter the phone number associated with your WhatsApp account
- Provide the email address you used to configure 2SV originally
- Open the email from WhatsApp and tap the link to reset your PIN
- Enter a new 6-digit PIN and confirm
- You will now be able to access WhatsApp using your new PIN
This allows you to recover access as long as you have the original email account. If you can no longer access that email, unfortunately there is no way for WhatsApp to remove 2SV or reset your PIN without it. This underscores the importance of using a reliable and accessible recovery email when first enabling the feature.
Can I disable 2-step verification later?
If you enable 2-step verification on WhatsApp but later decide you want to disable it, you can remove the feature through the app settings:
- Go to WhatsApp Settings > Account > Two-step verification
- Tap “Disable” and confirm when prompted
- Enter your 6-digit PIN to complete the process
Disabling 2SV will remove the requirement to enter your PIN when registering your number on new devices. However, for maximum security it is recommended to leave the feature enabled whenever possible.
Is my WhatsApp Web login protected?
Your WhatsApp Web session is also protected by 2-step verification for added security. If you scan the QR code to link WhatsApp Web after enabling 2SV on your mobile device, you will be prompted to enter your 6-digit PIN before the login can complete. This ensures your chat sessions are secured even when using the desktop browser application.
Conclusion
Enabling 2-step verification on WhatsApp only takes a few minutes but provides significant improvements in account security. It protects against unauthorized logins even if your password is compromised by requiring an additional PIN entered after SMS or voice call verification of your number. While there are minor downsides like needing to enter your PIN when switching devices, the security benefits far outweigh any small inconveniences. Overall, all WhatsApp users are highly recommended to turn on this important security feature.