WhatsApp rolls out two-step verification feature on Android, iPhone & Windows platforms

Highlights:

1. Two-step verification is an optional feature to add more security to users' accounts 

2. After enabling the new feature, users can also optionally enter their email addresses 

3. If the feature is enabled, users' number will not be permitted to reverify on WhatsApp within seven days of last using WhatsApp without users' passcode

To provide more security to its users, messenger app Whatsapp has finally announced rolling of its two-step verification feature to its users across Android, iPhone and Windows operating system platforms.

According to the NDTV news report, the company had tested the two-step verification feature for several months before it made final announcement of its introduction on smartphones operating on various operating systems. 

WhatsApp's two-step verification is an optional feature to add more security to users' accounts, cited the FAQ on WhatsApp's website. 

With the two-step verification in place, user if once again attempts to verify the phone number on WhatsApp he/she will have to provide the six-digit passcode that he/she creates using this new feature, it said. 

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According to the frequently asked questions (FAQs) section on WhatsApp website, to enable the two-step verification feature on phone, users will have to follow below mentioned process:

1. Open WhatsApp
2. Go into Settings
3. Accounts 
4. Two-step verification 
5. Enable 

After enabling this two-step authentication feature on Whatsapp, users can also optionally enter their email addresses. 

"This email address will allow WhatsApp to send you a link via email to disable two-step verification in case you ever forget your six-digit passcode, and also to help safeguard your account," Whatsapp said in its FAQ section on the website. 

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"We do not verify this email address to confirm its accuracy. We highly recommend you to provide an accurate email address so that you're not locked out of your account if you forget your passcode,"  it further added.

The company further said that if you have two-step verification enabled, your number will not be permitted to reverify on WhatsApp within seven days of last using WhatsApp without your passcode. 

"Thus, if you forget your own passcode, but did not provide an email to disable two-step verification, even you will not be permitted to reverify on WhatsApp within seven days of last using WhatsApp. After these seven days, your number will be permitted to reverify on WhatsApp without your passcode, but you will lose all pending messages upon reverifying - they will be deleted," WhatsApp said. 

However, to help you to remember your passcode, WhatsApp will periodically ask you to enter your passcode, it noted.

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