How to Set Up the Two-Step Verification in WhatsApp

Have you recently updated WhatsApp on your device? If not, then it is advisable to update, as WhatsApp now includes an extra layer of security, the Two-Step Verification. This is an optional feature to boost the security of your WhatsApp account. Each time you setup WhatsApp on a new device, you will need the code to access the account. When the feature is enabled, any attempt to verify your phone number on WhatsApp, must be accompanied by the six-digit passcode that you created.

WhatsApp’s approach to two-step verification is different from other web services like Facebook or Google do. Instead of using an app to generate the one-time passcode, WhatsApp requires you to create your own six-digit strong passcode which is easy to remember for you.

Set Up the Two-Step Verification in WhatsApp

1. Open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Account.
2. If you have updated to the latest version of WhatsApp, you will see a Two-Step Verification option. Select the Two-Step Verification > Enable.
   If the option is missing, it means you need to update your app.

3. You will be prompted to enter a six-digit passcode and confirm it. For security purpose, ensure that the passcode is different from your phone’s password.
4. Enter a valid email address and confirm it. This step is optional and can be skipped. However, it is recommended not to skip the step, so that if you forget your passcode, you are not locked out of your WhatsApp account.
5. Select Done to enable the Two-Step Verification. You can disable the feature, or change your password or email address from the Settings option any time you want.

To help you remember your passcode, WhatsApp will periodically prompt you to enter the code. You cannot disable the prompt, as long as the Two-Step Verification feature is enabled on your device.

So, the next time you install WhatsApp on a new device, you will have to provide your six-digit passcode as well as the one-time code sent to your phone number.

Things to Remember

• If you forget the passcode, on your request WhatsApp will send you an email with a link to disable the feature. When you click on the link, the Two-Step Verification feature will be disabled, and you will be able to access your WhatsApp account.
• As a WhatsApp user, you will also not be able to re-verify your account within seven days of last using the app without the pass code. If you forget the pass code, and did not provide an email address to receive the link to disable the feature, then you will not be able to access your account for seven days. After this period, you will be able to verify your account without the passcode, but you will lose all your older messages.
• If your number is re-verified on WhatsApp after 30 days of last using the app, without your passcode, your account will be deleted and a new one will be created upon successfully re-verifying the passcode.

 Passcode Tips

To create a strong and secure passcode:

• Ensure that it is different from your phone’s passcode.
• Do not use your phone number’s first-six or last-six digits.
• Do not use your date of birth.

Most certainly setting up two-step verification will provide additional security for your WhatsApp account. Should you have any question on this topic, please feel free to ask in the comments section. We at TechWelkin and our reader community will try to assist you. Thank you for using TechWelkin!