WhatsApp to Introduce Fingerprint Scanner for Android

WhatsApp may soon require you to use your fingerprints to read your texts with plans of introducing the fingerprint scanner.

The scanning feature has been expected to be introduced to Android devices users as WhatsApp is currently testing the fingerprint unlock feature on its beta Android app.

WhatsApp had introduced the TouchID on iOS which worked perfectly and compelled them to introduce the same for Android with the build number 2.19.221.

The fingerprint scanner is a popular security barrier which can be found in all sorts of high-end devices that are currently on the market and is fast and easy to use.

Fingerprint Scanners offer very high accuracy as it is the most economical biometric PC user authentication technique.

The feature seeks to add a layer of protection for Android WhatsApp users as only after one’s fingerprints are authenticated will they be able to access the app and read the content therein.

For security and privacy purposes, the notification icon hides the messages and gives the user a ‘show content in notification’ option.

WhatsApp fingerprint scanner feature can be found in WhatsApp Settings, which is disabled by default. To enable this feature, beta users on Android M or later need to follow the steps below;

• Open your WhatsApp app then go to settings
• Choose the Accounts option
• Then select privacy, then fingerprint lock.

After enabling it you will have an option to ‘automatically lock’ WhatsApp. There are options to choose from such as ‘lock immediately’ or ‘lock after 30 minutes of inactivity’. Choose your preferred option.

Every time a user needs to access WhatsApp, they will have to use the fingerprint after enabling the feature even after choosing the ‘lock immediately’ option.

WABetaInfo reports that WhatsApp uses Android APIs, and the authentication process is managed by the Android system, so users should not be worried about the security of their biometric data.

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