WhatsApp is preparing to greatly increase the security of its desktop and web apps by adding two-step verification during the sign-in process.
Users will be prompted to create a six-digit PIN as an additional layer of protection for their account. They will then enter this when registering their phone number with WhatsApp again — like when signing in on other devices.
WhatsApp plans to make its desktop and web apps more secure
WhatsApp has long been working on ways to catch up with rival messaging services will it comes to multiple device support. Despite its popularity, it remains one of the only messaging apps that isn’t available on tablets.
That’s set to change in the future, with WhatsApp already paving the way for new clients with true multi-device support. It is now working to make that more secure by adding two-step verification for those who want it.
Screenshots obtained by WABetaInfo show that users will be able to create a six-digit PIN to protect their WhatsApp account, which will need to be entered whenever they attempt to sign in on another device.
This will make it more difficult for WhatsApp accounts to be used by someone else. However, it seems that the PIN will be optional, and users will be able to enable or disable it as they please.
Still in testing
Two-step verification for WhatsApp is in the early testing stages for now, the report notes. That means it its functionality could still change, though it seems unlikely that WhatsApp will scrap it entirely.
There’s no word on when we can expect the feature to get a wider release. WhatsApp is also said to be working on improvements to voice calling on iOS.