WhatsApp Web (or the desktop version) is of course a handy addition to the existing option of the popular communication service. In the field of security, things can be improved and that is why it is good to see that WhatsApp is making an important change.
From now on it is the case that you can add a fingerprint scan or face scan to the service. It is not possible to log in without scanning your finger, face or even iris. You could already do that to enter the app, but from now on you can also set this to be mandatory when you open WhatsApp Web or the desktop version on your PC or laptop. This is an extra step in addition to having to scan the QR code when you first make the link between smartphone and computer. It is not a substitute for, so.
WhatsApp Web supports biometric login
However, the options differ per device and operating system. As an Android or iOS user, you may be able to secure your account by other methods. Moreover, the biometric authentication only works if you have enabled that functionality for the app on your smartphone. If you have not set this up, WhatsApp Web will therefore not benefit from it. To log in to WhatsApp Web you can set that you scan a QR code and must prove that you are the owner of that account. This will prevent other people from accessing that account.
WhatsApp has announced that the new options will work with all iOS devices that run iOS 14 or higher and have Touch ID or Face ID. Android users should make sure that their device supports biometric authentication. That can be one of these three things: fingerprint scanner, face scanner or iris scanner.
An important note from WhatsApp is that the company does not have access to the data from the scans. Verification is performed by the operating system. The passage reads as follows.
Verification is performed by the operating system of your device based on the stored biometric data. WhatsApp cannot access the biometric data stored by your device’s operating system.
Pair a device
Fortunately, linking a device to your account in a safe way still works the same as before. You go to the WhatsApp settings on your smartphone and press Pair a device (Android) or Pair a device (iPhone). Next, you have to follow the instructions on the screen. You can choose to always stay logged in, so you don’t have to scan the QR code every time. But it’s safer not to check that box, so you can be sure that only you can access your chats when the QR code is scanned.