whatsappWhatsApp has enabled a new Face ID authentication option for iPhones that support the feature, in the latest update to the messenger app (via WABetaInfo).

The Facebook-owned platform has been testing the feature for iPhone X and newer devices in its TestFlight beta releases for some weeks now, but version 2.19.20 of WhatsApp, now on the App Store, makes ‌Face ID‌ available for all users with supporting iPhones.

When enabled, users need to use ‌Face ID‌ to unlock the WhatsApp app, but they can still reply to messages from notifications and answer calls when the app is locked.

To require ‌Face ID‌ to unlock WhatsApp, tap Settings -> Account -> Privacy -> Screen Lock and toggle on the Require Face ID switch. Users with a fingerprint sensing Home button on their iPhones will see an option to Require Touch ID instead.

whatsapp face id
With the ‌Face ID‌/Touch ID toggle enabled, users will see some additional options appear below that allow them to activate the authentication requirement immediately, after one minute, after 15 minutes, or after one hour.

When the app is locked, if the ‌iPhone‌ fails to recognize a face or fingerprint, users can alternatively choose to enter their ‌iPhone‌ Passcode to open WhatsApp.

Elsewhere in this update, a smaller change means users can now download individual stickers in a sticker pack from the in-app sticker store, rather than having to download the whole pack. Just select a stickers pack, tap and hold the desired sticker, then tap Add to Favorites in the pop-up pane.

WhatsApp is a free download for ‌iPhone‌ available on the iOS ‌App Store‌. [Direct Link]

Tags: WhatsApp, Face ID Guide

Top Rated Comments

alexe Avatar
alexe
50 months ago
I don‘t understand why Apple won‘t finally allow to password-lock any app (without the Screentime workaround).
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macfacts Avatar
macfacts
50 months ago
I don‘t understand why Apple won‘t finally allow to password-lock any app (without the Screentime workaround).
Yes this should be built in to the OS, not each individual app.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HacKage Avatar
HacKage
50 months ago
Now it's time for Discord and other messaging apps (does Telegram have it?) to implement this.

But I agree that implementing it system wide on iOS would be a better idea.

However, having the phone locked with Face ID or Touch ID, how can be useful to lock apps individually?
Because if somebody wanted to use your phone to control Spotify or look something up, then you can hand them your phone and still feel secure. It would also help in cases of law enforcement forcing somebody to look at their recently detained phone to unlock it, for some apps to then have another level of security.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AnthonyG6 Avatar
AnthonyG6
50 months ago
This is nice and all but they should start the privacy improvements by not showing the sender name on the notification until unlocked. I think it is a serious privacy problem if anyone touching your phone screen can see who has send you a message.
This is already the case if you have a FaceID device. I have the iPhone X and when I get a Whatsapp message it only shows as a 'Whatsapp Notification', then when I look at the phone and it recognises me, it shows who the sender is. This is one of the best features of FaceID in my opinion.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Vasilioskn Avatar
Vasilioskn
50 months ago
Doesn’t Facebook own WhatsApp? Pass.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
justperry Avatar
justperry
50 months ago
I said it because of this part of your message, but maybe I didn't quite understand it.
The Key to decrypt data, like all things you send, this does not include your fingerprint nor your face data, that is in the secure enclave and is inaccessible for Apps, they just get a "yes or no" for authentication from the secure enclave.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments

Popular Stories

applefifthavenue

Man Robbed After Buying 300 iPhones From Apple Fifth Avenue

Tuesday November 29, 2022 11:54 am PST by
An unnamed 27-year-old man who purchased 300 iPhones from Apple Fifth Avenue on Monday morning was robbed shortly after leaving the store, according to 1010Wins Radio in New York. He was carrying 300 iPhone 13s in three bags and walking to his car at 1:45 a.m. when another car pulled up next to him. Two men jumped out and demanded that he hand over the bags. Not wanting to hand over 300...
Read Full Article • 372 comments
app store awards 2021

Apple Announces 2022 App Store Award Winners, Highlighting Best Apps of the Year

Tuesday November 29, 2022 3:10 am PST by
Apple today announced its 2022 App Store Award winners, highlighting the 16 best apps and games selected by Apple's global App Store editorial team. The top apps were chosen by Apple for their quality, innovative technology, creative design, positive cultural impact, and ability to deliver "exceptional experiences." Apple CEO Tim Cook said: This year's App Store Award winners reimagined...
Read Full Article • 41 comments
Cyber Monday Deals Feature 2022

Best Cyber Monday Apple Deals Still Available for AirPods, Apple TV, iPad, and More

Monday November 28, 2022 5:24 am PST by
The Black Friday and Cyber Monday holiday shopping rush is drawing to a close, but there are still some good deals to be had out there. For Apple products, many of the deals you've seen since last week are still available, though some have expired. So for anyone who missed out on Black Friday deals, there's still an opportunity to get some of the year's best prices on many Apple devices. Note: ...
Read Full Article • 12 comments
iPhone 14 Pro Rear Camera

iPhone 15 to Use 'State-of-the-Art' Image Sensor From Sony for Better Low-Light Performance

Monday November 28, 2022 11:00 am PST by
Apple's upcoming iPhone 15 models will be equipped with Sony's newest "state of the art" image sensors, according to a report from Nikkei. Compared to standard sensors, Sony's image sensor doubles the saturation signal in each pixel, allowing it to capture more light to cut down on underexposure and overexposure. Nikkei says that it is able to better photograph a person's face even with...
Read Full Article • 154 comments
eufy camera

Anker's Eufy Cameras Caught Uploading Content to the Cloud Without User Consent [Updated]

Tuesday November 29, 2022 1:01 pm PST by
Anker's popular Eufy-branded security cameras appear to be sending some data to the cloud, even when cloud storage is disabled and local only storage settings are turned on. The information comes from security consultant Paul Moore, who last week published a video outlining the issue. According to Moore, he purchased a Eufy Doorbell Dual, which was meant to be a device that stored video...
Read Full Article • 148 comments
rapid security response

Apple Releases Another Rapid Security Response Update for iOS 16.2 Beta Users

Monday November 28, 2022 10:16 am PST by
Apple today released a Rapid Security Response update that is available for those running the iOS 16.2 beta, marking the launch of the second RSR update since the feature was released in iOS 16. The Rapid Security Response Update is designed to provide iOS 16.2 beta users with bug fixes without the need to install a full update. The initial RSR release for iOS 16.2 beta users was a test with ...
Read Full Article • 34 comments
Apple Watch Ultra Oceanic Plus App

Apple Announces Oceanic+ App Now Available for Apple Watch Ultra

Monday November 28, 2022 6:11 am PST by
Apple today announced that the Oceanic+ app is available for the Apple Watch Ultra starting today. Designed by Huish Outdoors in collaboration with Apple, the app serves as a dive computer for recreational scuba diving at depths up to 40 meters/130 feet. Apple already offers a basic Depth app on the Apple Watch Ultra for viewing your current depth, maximum depth reached, water temperature,...
Read Full Article • 121 comments
14 vs 16 inch mbp m2 pro and max feature 1

'M2 Max' Geekbench Scores Leak Online, Revealing Rumored Specs and Performance

Wednesday November 30, 2022 2:39 am PST by
Geekbench scores allegedly for the upcoming "M2 Max" chip have surfaced online, offering a closer look at the performance levels and specific details of the forthcoming Apple silicon processor. The Geekbench results, first spotted on Twitter, are for a Mac configuration of with the M2 Max chip, a 12-core CPU, and 96GB of memory. The Mac listed has an identifier "Mac14,6," which could be...
Read Full Article • 256 comments
iphone 11 tesla cybertruck close up

Elon Musk Pledges to Build iPhone Rival If Apple Ousts Twitter

Tuesday November 29, 2022 2:48 am PST by
Elon Musk has pledged to offer an "alternative phone" if Apple and Google remove Twitter from their app stores, adding to long-standing rumors about an iPhone rival from Tesla. Modified iPhone 11 Pro in the style of the Tesla Cybertruck, by Caviar. Musk's remark came after being asked about the potential scenario of Twitter being removed from app stores, which could conceivably happen if the...
Read Full Article
iOS 16

Apple Releases iOS 16.1.2 With Carrier Improvements and Crash Detection Optimizations

Wednesday November 30, 2022 10:09 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 16.1.2, another minor bug fix update that comes one week after the release of iOS 16.1.1 and three weeks after the launch of iOS 16.1, an update that added support for iCloud Shared Photo Library, Matter, Live Activities, and more. The iOS 16.1.2 update can be downloaded on eligible iPhones over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. According...
Read Full Article • 127 comments