WhatsApp Introduces Optional Account Password

WhatsApp, the Meta-owned messaging platform used by billions worldwide, is introducing an optional account password feature to bolster user security against unauthorized access. The update, currently in beta testing for Android, adds an extra authentication layer beyond the standard six-digit verification code, with plans for a gradual rollout to all users in the coming months.

The new feature allows users to create an alphanumeric password consisting of six to 20 characters, including at least one letter and one number. WhatsApp will provide a strength indicator to guide users toward more robust choices, and the password can be updated or removed at any time through the app's settings. This setup remains entirely voluntary, preserving the existing signup process where users verify their phone number via SMS.

Once enabled, the password activates during logins on new devices or after re-verification. Users will first enter the six-digit code sent to their phone, followed by the password if set. It integrates seamlessly with WhatsApp's current two-step verification option, which requires a separate PIN. In cases where both are active, the sequence demands the PIN before the...