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Fingerprint Unlock Arrives on WhatsApp for Android

N

Nyakundi Report

Newsroom 1 min read

This archive report was first published on 31 October 2019.

WhatsApp has rolled out its fingerprint unlock feature to all Android users, bringing a new level of security to the popular messaging app.

The feature, which allows users to unlock their WhatsApp app using their device's fingerprint sensor, was first tested in beta versions of the app two months ago.

Now, every WhatsApp user can access the feature, which is available on devices running Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) and later.

To activate the feature, users need to go to Settings > Account > Privacy > Fingerprint lock, then turn on 'Unlock with fingerprint' and confirm their fingerprint.

As an added bonus, users can also choose to stop chat contents from showing up in notification pop-ups and the lock screen.

WhatsApp's fingerprint unlock feature is a welcome addition to the app, especially given that rival messaging app Telegram has had a similar feature since 2015.

The feature update is being released in phases, so it may not be available in all regions immediately. However, users can keep an eye out for the update notification from the Play Store.

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