WhatsApp’s new beta Update brings Face ID and Touch ID Authentication

The Facebook-owned messaging company, WhatsApp, has released a new feature in its latest 2.19.20 beta update which allows the user to lock their app with Biometric Authentication. The feature which was first spotted by 9to5mac, will give you options to choose either a Face ID or Touch ID as a native lock system to access the WhatsApp application.

The feature was rumored to be in the working process since October of last year when the biometric lock feature was first added to the beta version of the app, before that the feature was in testing stage since February of last year.

However, the feature does not provide security encryption on per chat basis, which means that the whole WhatsApp application will be locked not the individual chats or conversations. WhatsApp still allows the user the feature of “Quick replies” from the notification bar meaning the notifications will still pop up if you have turned it on in the application settings.

For the time being, the feature is only available for the iOS version of the app but the android version is also known to be on the way and can be released in a new update very soon. The available feature on iOS devices can be toggled by updating the software with the latest version, 2.19.20, from the Apple App Store and then following the given steps:-

Head to “Settings” -> “Account” -> “Privacy” before switching “Screen Lock” on.