How to use WhatsApp fingerprint lock feature on Android

WhatsApp fingerprint lock feature has been rolled out to Android users with latest update. WhatsApp fingerprint lock feature for Android comes months after it first became available for WhatsApp's iOS version. It comes at a time when serious safety and privacy concerns are being raised due to Facebook's lawsuit against an Israeli software company NSO Group for allegedly hacking into 1400 WhatsApp accounts. WhatsApp spyware scare caused by Pegasus intensified after Facebook ackwledged Thursday that Indian journalists and human rights activists were among those globally spied upon by unnamed entities using software. So, today, need to ensure our safety and privacy on WhatsApp more than ever before. In this article, we show how you use latest biometric auntication feature on WhatsApp for Android.

WhatsApp fingerprint lock feature

Step 1: Make sure your WhatsApp is updated. To check if your WhatsApp has received a new update, go to WhatsApp listing on Google Play and update your app manually. If you have auto-updates enabled, you must be running latest version of WhatsApp for Android. 

Step 2: w, open WhatsApp on your Android phone, tap 'More options' icon at upper right corner. Go to WhatsApp Settings.

Step 3: Tap 'Account' and n tap 'Privacy.' Scroll all way down find 'Fingerprint lock' option. Select 'Fingerprint lock' option.

RE | WhatsApp rolls out fingerprint lock amidst spyware scare in India

Step 4: Toggle slider to enable 'Unlock with fingerprint' feature. Once you enable fingerprint feature, you will need to use fingerprint to open WhatsApp.

Step 5: WhatsApp uses same fingerprint that you must have ded to unlock your phone. Make sure you have fingerprint ded in your phone's security settings.

Step 6: You can n decide when you want your WhatsApp to lock automatically. You can choose from following set of options: Immediately, after 1 minute or after 30 minutes. You can also hide mess content in tifications.

If you choose option to immediately lock WhatsApp each time you come out of it, you will have to aunticate using your fingerprint to get back in, even if you have WhatsApp running in background.