WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion users. It allows you to send text messages, voice notes, photos, videos, and more to your contacts. But did you know that your WhatsApp account could be vulnerable to hackers if you only use a password to protect it?
That’s why you should enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your WhatsApp account.
What is Two-Factor Authentication?
Two-factor authentication, or 2FA, is a security feature that adds an extra layer of protection to your online accounts. It requires you to enter a second piece of information, such as a code or a fingerprint, after you enter your password. This way, even if someone knows your password, they won’t be able to access your account without the second factor.
Why Do You Need Two-Factor Authentication?
Two-factor authentication is important because passwords alone are not enough to keep your accounts and data safe. Passwords can be easily guessed, stolen, or phished by hackers who want to take over your accounts and access your personal information. According to a report by Microsoft, 99.9% of account compromise attacks can be blocked by using 2FA.
How to Enable Two-Factor Authentication on WhatsApp
Enabling 2FA on WhatsApp is easy and only takes a few minutes. Here are the steps you need to follow:
On Android:
- Open the WhatsApp app on your phone and tap the three dots in the upper-right corner.
- Tap Settings and then tap Account.
- Tap Two-step verification and then tap Enable.
- Enter a six-digit PIN of your choice and confirm it. This PIN will be asked every time you register your phone number with WhatsApp.
- Provide an email address you can access or tap Skip if you don’t want to add an email address. We recommend adding an email address as this allows you to reset your PIN in case you forget it.
- Tap Next and confirm the email address. Tap Save or Done.
On iOS:
- Tap Settings and then tap Account.
- Tap Two-step verification and then tap Enable.
- Enter a six-digit PIN of your choice and confirm it. This PIN will be asked every time you register your phone number with WhatsApp.
- Provide an email address you can access or tap Skip if you don’t want to add an email address. We recommend adding an email address as this allows you to reset your PIN in case you forget it.
- Tap Next and confirm the email address. Tap Save or Done.
You have successfully enabled 2FA on your WhatsApp account. You will see a green check mark next to Two-step verification in the Account settings.
How to Disable or Change Two-Factor Authentication on WhatsApp
If you want to disable or change your 2FA settings on WhatsApp, you can do so by following these steps:
- Tap Settings and then tap Account.
- Tap Two-step verification and then tap Disable or Change PIN or Change Email Address depending on what you want to do.
- Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the process.
Conclusion
Two-factor authentication is a simple but effective way to secure your WhatsApp account and protect your privacy. By enabling 2FA, you can prevent unauthorized access to your account and keep your messages safe from hackers. We hope this article has helped you understand how to set up 2FA on WhatsApp and why it is needed.
Read more on WhatsApp FAQ page
