Something iPhone users have had for a long time already is the ability to lock WhatsApp behind either Face ID or Touch ID. Android users will now also be able to protect their chats thanks to the ability to lock WhatsApp with a fingerprint required to unlock it.
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WhatsApp announced the new feature on their blog revealing that once you activate it, you will need to use your finger to access the app every time you close it or it goes into the background while you are using another app.
In order to turn this setting on, users need to open WhatsApp, head to Settings > Account > Privacy > Fingerprint Lock and turn on “Unlock with Fingerprint” and confirm your fingerprint. You can also turn on a setting that lets the app remain unlocked for 30 minutes after unlocking it so you don’t need to use your fingerprint every time.
You will, of course, need to be running the latest version of WhatsApp too so make sure you have updated your app. The update may also not be live in your region yet but keep checking as it should be live too. Unfortunately, there is a downside to this. The WhatsApp fingerprint unlock feature only supports your finger due to the security concerns surrounding all Android-based facial recognition hardware. If you don’t have a fingerprint sensor but have a face unlock then you won’t be able to make use of the feature.
