News in Short

• WhatsApp says more than 1 billion users have enabled passkeys.
• Users can now set up multiple passkeys for the same account across Android and iOS devices.
• WhatsApp now lets users use full passwords for two-step verification.
• The new 2FA passwords can include letters, numbers and special characters.

WhatsApp is adding new security tools as it looks to give users more ways to protect their accounts and make it easier to identify potentially suspicious calls. The Meta-owned messaging platform has introduced support for multiple passkeys across devices, stronger two-step verification options and a smarter call screening feature for Android users.

The updates come as WhatsApp says more than one billion users have enabled passkeys on the platform.

WhatsApp Adds Support for Multiple Passkeys

WhatsApp introduced passkey support for Android users in 2023 and expanded it to iOS in 2024. The feature lets users access their accounts using biometric authentication, such as a fingerprint or Face ID, or their device’s screen lock code.

Now, WhatsApp is making passkeys more flexible for people who use the same account across Android and iOS devices. Users can set up more than one passkey for their WhatsApp account, allowing them to have separate passkeys for different devices.

Users can add new passkeys by opening WhatsApp’s Settings menu, selecting Account and then entering the Passkey settings.

WhatsApp has also extended passkey protection to chat backups, adding another layer of security around stored conversations.

WhatsApp Makes 2FA More Secure With Passwords

WhatsApp is also strengthening its two-step verification system. Previously, users could protect their accounts with a six-digit numeric PIN.

Now, the platform allows users to create a full password for two-step verification. The password can contain letters, numbers and special characters, giving users a more complex option than the previous six-digit PIN.

The change gives users greater flexibility when securing their WhatsApp accounts and adds another option alongside passkey-based authentication.

WhatsApp Adds Smarter Call Screening on Android

WhatsApp is also rolling out a new call screening feature for Android that provides more information when an unknown contact calls.

The feature can show the country of origin of the incoming call and indicate whether the caller shares a mutual group chat with the recipient.

This additional information could help users decide whether they should answer a call from an unsaved number. WhatsApp says the feature aims to help curb scams, where attackers often use urgency to pressure victims into responding.

By showing more context before users answer, WhatsApp wants to give them a better chance to identify potentially suspicious calls.

WhatsApp Expands Security as Passkeys Cross 1 Billion Users

The latest changes build on WhatsApp’s existing security features rather than replacing them. Passkeys provide a simpler way to authenticate accounts, while stronger 2FA passwords offer an additional layer of protection. Meanwhile, call screening focuses on a different problem by helping users assess unknown callers.

With more than one billion users now using passkeys, WhatsApp is also signalling that passwordless authentication has gained significant adoption on the platform. The latest updates extend that approach while giving users more information and control when dealing with account access and unknown calls.