WhatsApp is introducing three account security updates that cover two-step verification, calls from unfamiliar numbers, and passkeys. The most notable change replaces the app’s existing six-digit two-step verification PIN with a password.

The update gives users more flexibility when securing their accounts. WhatsApp is also adding more context for unknown calls on Android and expanding passkey support across Android and iOS devices.

WhatsApp Replaces the Six-Digit PIN With a Password

WhatsApp two-step verification previously required users to create a six-digit PIN. The PIN added another layer of protection if someone obtained a one-time verification code for an account.

That system is now changing. WhatsApp is replacing the six-digit PIN with a password, allowing users to create a longer credential that can include:

  • Letters
  • Numbers
  • Special characters

A password offers more flexibility than a six-digit numeric PIN. Users can create a credential that is longer and more difficult to guess while keeping the additional verification step in place.

More Information for Unknown WhatsApp Calls on Android

WhatsApp is also changing how unfamiliar incoming calls appear on Android. When a caller is not saved in a user’s contacts, the app may show additional information to help provide context before the call is answered.

This information can include:

  • Whether the phone number is from another country
  • Whether the caller shares WhatsApp groups with the recipient

These details do not confirm that an incoming call is legitimate. Still, they can give users more information when deciding whether to answer a number they do not recognize.

WhatsApp Passkeys Continue to Expand

Passkeys are another part of WhatsApp’s account security updates. Rather than using a password, PIN, or verification code, a passkey allows users to verify their identity through security features already available on their device.

This can include a fingerprint, Face ID, or the device’s screen lock.

WhatsApp says that more than one billion users have already created a passkey for their accounts. The service is now making passkeys more practical for people who use WhatsApp across different platforms.

Add Multiple Passkeys to One WhatsApp Account

WhatsApp will allow users to add more than one passkey to the same account. This includes separate passkeys for Android and iOS devices.

That change is useful for people who move between platforms or use more than one device. Instead of relying on a single passkey setup, users can maintain passkeys for their compatible Android and iOS devices under the same WhatsApp account.

The passkey setting is available in WhatsApp through:

Settings > Account > Passkeys

What the WhatsApp Security Changes Mean

The updates focus on a few everyday account security concerns.

Replacing a six-digit PIN with a password gives users more options for creating a stronger two-step verification credential. Extra information for unknown Android calls may make suspicious calls easier to identify before answering. And support for multiple passkeys can make secure account access less cumbersome across Android and iOS devices.