This archive report was first published on 7 November 2019.
On November 7, 2019, WhatsApp announced the rollout of the Fingerprint Unlock feature for Android users, providing an additional layer of security for their WhatsApp messages and media.
This feature is similar to the fingerprint unlock feature used on phones and protects chats or documents from unauthorized access. The Facebook-owned messaging platform had already introduced the feature on iOS devices and made the announcement in a tweet.
For users who already have a fingerprint registered for unlocking their phone, the process is straightforward. However, before starting, they need to be on the latest version of WhatsApp, which is currently version 2.19.308 on the Play Store.
Setting Up Fingerprint Unlock for WhatsApp ¶
For Android users, here's how to set up Fingerprint Unlock:
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Account > Privacy > Fingerprint lock.
- Turn on the Unlock with Fingerprint toggle.
- Scan your fingerprint to confirm the authentication.
Once the fingerprint is set, users can access their chats only by scanning it. However, they can still reply to messages from the notification shade while the app is locked. Additionally, users who use the app frequently can select an option to delay the fingerprint lock.
