NEW YORK, Oct 17, (Agencies): WhatsApp, owned by Meta, has revealed its plan to introduce a password-less passkey feature for all Android users, eliminating the need for insecure and often bothersome two-factor SMS authentication. The company shared this update on X (formerly Twitter) late Monday, emphasizing that Android users can securely access their accounts using passkeys, with their face, fingerprint, or pin serving as the unlocking method. While WhatsApp has been testing passkeys in its beta channel, it's now making its way to regular users. However, there's no information available yet about passkey support for iPhone users.

The Android support for passkeys will be gradually rolled out over the upcoming weeks and months. Passkeys offer an alternative to traditional passwords by utilizing your device's built-in authentication methods.

Both Apple and Google already endorse passkeys for their users. Google recently encouraged users to opt for passkeys over traditional passwords for enhanced security. Passkeys simply require a fingerprint, face scan, or pin to unlock your device, and they are approximately 40% faster than traditional passwords, employing robust cryptographic techniques to enhance security.

Despite these advancements, Google acknowledges that the adoption of new technologies takes time, so passwords might still be in use for some time. Earlier this year, Google introduced passkey support as a simpler and more secure method for online account sign-ins, receiving positive feedback.