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WhatsApp's working on a fingerprint security feature for iOS, Android

A future version of WhatsApp may be secured, locked and unlocked by your fingerprint, according to data mined by WABetaInfo.

By Andy Walker

18 Jan 2019

WhatsApp's working on a fingerprint security feature for iOS, Android

The WhatsApp enthusiast blog in early January revealed that the Facebook-owned company is looking to use Android’s authentication system to better secure the app.

Users will enroll their fingerprint to their device, check a box that will activate the feature, and touch the sensor with that same finger to “unlock” the app.

According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is also working on an authentication method that uses Apple’s Face ID and Touch ID on iOS.

And for those who don’t have a fingerprint sensor, the app also requires a PIN to be entered, suggesting that this could also be an authentication method for older phones.

It’s not clear when these features will make it to stable versions of the app, but fingerprint authentication will be available on devices running Android 6.0 Marshmallow or newer once launched.

About Andy Walker

Camper by day, run-and-gunner by night, Andy is editor at Memeburn and prefers his toast like his coffee -- dark and crunchy. Specialising in spotting the next big Instagram cat star, Andy also dabbles in smartphone and game reviews over on Gearburn.