WhatsApp is working to bring a vital security feature to the Mac and web

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Whatsapp On Mac
Whatsapp On Mac (Image credit: WhatsApp)

What you need to know

  • WhatsApp is testing support for two-step verification on its Mac and web apps.
  • Two-step verification requires an additional security challenge to ensure people are who they say they are.
  • The new feature is being tested ahead of a wider rollout.

The hugely popular instant messaging platform WhatsApp is now testing a change that will bring its two-step verification system to both the Mac and web versions of its app.

Two-step verification requires that people registering for their WhatsApp account enter a six-digit code and then a personal PIN.

The move will ensure that WhatsApp users are who they say they are by adding an additional layer of security when people are signing in. The change, now part of the WhatsApp beta program, was first spotted by WABetaInfo.

Whatsapp Mac Beta 2fa

Whatsapp Mac Beta 2fa (Image credit: WABetaInfo)

As you can see in this screenshot, it will be possible to enable or disable the two-step verification on the web/desktop client. This is very important especially when you lose your phone and you do not remember your PIN. Yes, you can restore it by requesting a reset link, but if you are temporarily unable to log into your mail account, this is a good solution.This feature is not available right now but WhatsApp is planning to release it in a future update when the feature is ready.

WhatsApp is already one of the best Mac solutions for staying in touch with users of Android devices and the additional layer of security that two-step verification will afford is sure to be a welcome one. Until iMessage becomes available to Android users, this is about as good as it's going to get.

Oliver Haslam
Oliver Haslam
Contributor

Oliver Haslam has written about Apple and the wider technology business for more than a decade with bylines on How-To Geek, PC Mag, iDownloadBlog, and many more. He has also been published in print for Macworld, including cover stories. At iMore, Oliver is involved in daily news coverage and, not being short of opinions, has been known to 'explain' those thoughts in more detail, too. Having grown up using PCs and spending far too much money on graphics card and flashy RAM, Oliver switched to the Mac with a G5 iMac and hasn't looked back. Since then he's seen the growth of the smartphone world, backed by iPhone, and new product categories come and go. Current expertise includes iOS, macOS, streaming services, and pretty much anything that has a battery or plugs into a wall. Oliver also covers mobile gaming for iMore, with Apple Arcade a particular focus. He's been gaming since the Atari 2600 days and still struggles to comprehend the fact he can play console quality titles on his pocket computer.