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We’ve all been there. You get a new phone, you’re excited to set it up, you install WhatsApp, and then… the waiting game begins. You stare at your screen, waiting for that six-digit code to arrive via SMS. Sometimes it’s instant, other times it feels like it’s being delivered by carrier pigeon.

Well, that whole frustrating song and dance is finally coming to an end. WhatsApp is rolling out two of the biggest security and convenience upgrades in its history, designed to make your account both easier to access and dramatically more private. Get ready to say hello to passkeys and truly encrypted backups.

The End of Passwords and OTPs: Your Face is Now Your Key

The first major change is the introduction of Passkeys. Think of it as a VIP pass into your own WhatsApp account. Instead of typing in a password or waiting for a text message, you will now be able to log in using the same security method you use to unlock your phone.

That’s right, you can now use your:

• Fingerprint
• Face Scan (like Face ID)
• Screen Lock PIN

This isn’t just about convenience; it’s a massive leap forward in security. SMS codes, believe it or not, are vulnerable. They can be intercepted by hackers in sophisticated “SIM-swap” attacks. By using the biometrics built directly into your device, passkeys create a secure link that only you can authorize, making it virtually impossible for someone to access your account without having your physical phone and your fingerprint or face.

Your Chat History’s Biggest Weakness Is Finally Fixed

For years, there has been a quiet contradiction in WhatsApp’s privacy promise. Your live conversations have always been protected by world-class end-to-end encryption, meaning no one—not even WhatsApp—can read what you’re sending.

But what about your backups? The ones you save to Google Drive or iCloud? For a long time, these backups were the weak link. They were not end-to-end encrypted. This meant that, in theory, the cloud provider or even law enforcement with a warrant could access your entire chat history.

That major privacy loophole is now being slammed shut with end-to-end encrypted backups.

When you enable this feature, WhatsApp will secure your backup with a unique lock that only you have the key for. This “key” will either be a password that you create or a special 64-digit encryption key that the app generates for you.

One Important Warning: With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility

This new level of security is incredible, but it comes with a very important catch. Because your backup is now sealed with a key that only you possess, WhatsApp cannot help you if you lose it.

• If you forget the password you set… your backup is gone.
• If you lose that 64-digit key… your backup is gone.

There is no “Forgot Password” link here. This is the price of true, absolute privacy. It puts the control—and the responsibility—squarely in your hands. So if you enable this feature, make sure you store your password or your 64-digit key somewhere incredibly safe.

Together, these two features transform the security of your WhatsApp account. From the moment you log in to the archives of your most personal conversations, everything is now protected by a new, stronger shield of privacy.

Read More: Say Goodbye to SMS Codes : Logging into WhatsApp Is About to Get So Much Easier and Safer