With the increase in data theft and SIM card cloning app, it is more important than ever to secure your online identity and social media accounts with two-step verification. The last platform to board the 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) train is WhatsApp. The Facebook-backed company has announced an optional security plugin to secure your WhatsApp account with 2FA. Here’s how to protect your WhatsApp account with two-step verification.
Before we show you how to access and use two-step verification in WhatsApp, let’s discuss two-step verification and how it can help you increase security on WhatsApp.
What is Two-Step Verification?
By default, WhatsApp has created a database of users and IDs in phone numbers. The company uses OTP (one-time password) on your phone number to authenticate the user. If your phone is lost or falls into the hands of others, it can get you in trouble.
Also, with the latest SIM card cloning app, it’s easier than ever for hackers to hack into your messages and access your social media accounts. This is where two-step authentication comes in to add an extra layer of security to your WhatsApp account.
As the name suggests, with two-step verification, WhatsApp will ask for another six-digit PIN when you set up your WhatsApp account from scratch.
How to Use Two-Step Verification on WhatsApp
After successfully signing up for the service using the phone number on WhatsApp, users will see a two-step verification screen.
When you enable two-step verification, you have the option to enter your email address. This allows WhatsApp to email you a reset link in case you forget your PIN and also helps protect your account.
Solving that too, let’s learn how to use two-step verification in WhatsApp.
Stage 1: Open WhatsApp on iPhone.
Step 2: Go to the Settings tab.
Stage 3: Go to Account > Two-Step Verification.
Step 4: Tap on Activate.
Step 5: Enter a six-digit PIN that will be prompted when you register your phone number on WhatsApp.
Step 6: Confirm the PIN from the screen below and tap Next at the top.
Step 7: If you forget the PIN, enter an email address to help you reset it.
Step 8: Confirm your e-mail address from the screen below and hit the OK button at the top.
This much. You have successfully enabled two-step verification on WhatsApp. From now on, you will need to enter your PIN when registering your phone number on WhatsApp again.
In the example above, we used the iOS WhatsApp app as an example. The steps to access Two-Step Verification are similar in the WhatsApp Android app.
On WhatsApp Android, tap the three-dot menu in the upper right corner and go to Settings. Go to Account > Two-Step Verification and follow the same instructions as shown in the steps above to turn on two-step verification.
How to Change Two-Step Verification PIN on WhatsApp
If you want to change the two-step verification PIN, you can do it under the WhatsApp Settings menu. Here’s how to do it.
Stage 1: Open WhatsApp and go to Settings.
Step 2: Go to Account > Two-Step Verification and select Change PIN.
Stage 3: Enter and confirm a new six-digit PIN.
Step 4: Hit Done and you’re good to go with a new WhatsApp PIN.
How to Disable WhatsApp Two-Step Verification
When you enable two-step verification on WhatsApp, the app will periodically ask you to enter a 2FA PIN to help you remember the six-digit code. If that bothers you, you can disable two-step verification.
Stage 1: Open WhatsApp Settings.
Step 2: Tap Account > Two-step verification > Disable > Disable.
We recommend investing in a password manager so you don’t forget your 2FA WhatsApp PIN.
How to Change Email Address for Two-Step Verification
WhatsApp asks for an email address during two-step verification setup so it can help you recover your WhatsApp account if you forget the six-digit PIN.
You can also change this email address. Here’s how.
Stage 1: Open WhatsApp Settings.
Step 2: Tap Account > Two-step verification > Change Email Address.
Keep Your WhatsApp Account Safe
In this day and age, securing your social accounts with an added layer of security is essential. It’s good to see WhatsApp, the leader in the IM (Instant Messaging) race, using two-step verification for over a billion users. Therefore, protect your WhatsApp from prying eyes with an additional six-digit code.
Next: Are you encountering errors while downloading files and media from WhatsApp? Read the post below to know the top ten ways to fix WhatsApp not downloading media on iOS and Android.
