This archive report was first published on 13 August 2019.
On August 13, 2019, Google announced that it was enhancing the security experience on Android by allowing users to log in using their local biometric credentials, including fingerprints.
Just a day later, WhatsApp began rolling out version 2.19.221 to its beta testers, featuring a fingerprint unlock option that had been available on iOS since February.
Unlike iOS, which offers both Face ID and Touch ID, Android users will only have the option to use fingerprint unlock to secure their WhatsApp conversations.
The feature, dubbed Screen Lock, allows users to choose when the fingerprint lock kicks in, with options for immediate, after a minute, or after half an hour.
For now, beta testers can use the fingerprint unlock feature immediately after updating their app, while those who are enrolled in the beta but still don't have the option should delete and reinstall the app to enable the feature.
As the developers at WABetaInfo noted, reinstalling the app will download the most updated configurations from the server, enabling the feature for users.
