Digital security is a priority on WhatsApp, the world's most widely used messaging platform. Until now, when changing your phone or trying to log in to your account, the app sent you a code via SMS that you had to enter to verify your identity. Although this method has been functional for years, it presents risks such as: Phishing, account theft and possible interception of the SMS message.
To offer superior protection, WhatsApp has added a revolutionary method: the Passkeys o access keysThis mechanism replaces SMS and relies on advanced technology, securely linking your identity to your device's biometric unlock and to Google or Apple's password manager. In this article, we take an in-depth look at what Passkeys are, how they work, how to activate them, and all the advantages and details of this modern authentication system.
What are WhatsApp Passkeys and why are they important?
The pass keys They are a new passwordless authentication method implemented in WhatsApp and other leading platforms such as Google and Apple. They are based on the international standard WebAuthn (developed by the FIDO Alliance and the W3C), using asymmetric cryptography to create a public and private key. While the public key is stored on WhatsApp's servers, the private key remains on your device and is never shared.
By activating Passkeys in WhatsApp, the user identity is validated Using a mobile phone unlock method (biometrics, PIN, pattern, or password). This avoids total dependence on SMS, which can be vulnerable to techniques like social engineering or SIM swapping. It also eliminates the need to remember passwords or wait for a text message every time you want to log in to a new device.
The access key is securely stored in the password manager of your Google account (on Android) or Apple account (on iOS). When you log in, WhatsApp asks you to verify your identity using the unlock code set on your phone and then automatically and transparently accesses your password, allowing you to access your account quickly and without the risk of identity theft.
This system means that even if someone steals your phone number or intercepts messages, they won't be able to access your account, since only someone who owns the device and can unlock it will have access.
Advantages of activating Passkeys in WhatsApp
- Greater security: Passkeys reduce the chances of account theft by Phishing or SMS interception. Only you, with your device unlocked by biometric or PIN methods, can access your WhatsApp.
- Protection against theft and hacking attempts: Password manager-based authentication and biometrics prevent unauthorized access even if the attacker knows your number or has temporary access to your SIM card.
- SMS dependency disappears: It doesn't matter if you change SIMs, lose coverage, or travel abroad; access is granted by your saved password, not a text message.
- Comfort and speed: Once set up, logging in to a new device is as simple as unlocking your phone, eliminating the need to type in long codes or remember passwords.
- Privacy: The private access key never leaves your device or is sent to servers, increasing the level of privacy and reducing the exposure of your credentials.
- Compatible with multiple devices: The system integrates with the operating system's password manager, allowing you to use it on both Android and iOS efficiently, securely, and in sync.
Enabling Passkeys provides a more user-friendly and secure user experience, making security concerns or forgotten passwords virtually a thing of the past.
How do WhatsApp Passkeys work technically?
When you activate Passkeys, a key pair (public/private) is generated on your mobile device. The private key is never shared and remains encrypted locally on your phone. The public key, meanwhile, is stored on WhatsApp servers for identification purposes only.
When you request access to WhatsApp on a new device or after reinstalling the app, WhatsApp asks you to verify your identity, usually through biometric or PIN/pattern authentication. Once authenticated, the system uses the password manager to unlock your private key and digitally sign the access request (without ever sending your private key).
The WhatsApp server validates the signature using your public key and, if correct, grants you immediate access to your account, without the need to send or receive SMS messages or other methods that pose a risk of interception.
This method is not only more secure, but also meets the highest digital security standards currently employed by the world's leading technology companies.
How to activate WhatsApp Passkeys step by step (Android and iOS)
Before starting: It's essential to make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp installed to access these features. If you don't see the Passkeys option after updating, the feature may not be available in your region or may not have been rolled out to your specific device yet. Please try again in a few days.
- Open WhatsApp on your Android or iOS device.
- Click on the icon of the three vertical points (Android) or go to Settings (iOS).
- Enter the section Account.
- Locate and click on Access keys or Passkeys.
- Choose Create access key (may appear as “Create passkey” in some versions).
- Confirm the number linked to your account if prompted.
- Press on Continue and follow the instructions to set up the password. Here, you'll need to accept that the password will be saved in your password manager (Google on Android, Apple on iOS).
- Choose your preferred authentication method: fingerprint, facial recognition, PIN o standard.
- Authorize and wait for confirmation.
- That's it! From now on, when you change your phone or reinstall WhatsApp, you'll only need to authenticate on your device to access it, without relying on SMS.
This process is reversibleIf you decide to cancel your passkey at any time, simply follow the same steps and select the "Cancel" or "Revoke" option. You can return to the previous methods if you wish, although it's recommended to keep your passkeys active to maximize security.
What do I do if I don't see the Passkeys option in WhatsApp?
There are cases in which the Passkeys feature is not available. This could be due to several reasons:
- The feature is not yet enabled in your country or app version.
- Your Android or iOS device doesn't support biometric authentication or the password manager.
- The app needs to be updated.
Recommendation: Update WhatsApp from the app store and regularly check the Account > Passwords section. You can set a reminder to check the feature periodically in your calendar so you can activate it as soon as it's available.
How to revoke or change WhatsApp passwords
In case you need delete or change your password For any reason (such as loss of device, change of number, etc.), the process is simple:
- Open WhatsApp and go to Account > Access Keys.
- Click on the option Cancel o RevokeYou will be asked for security confirmation to delete the existing passkey.
- You can create a new passkey if you wish or return to the SMS method temporarily.
WhatsApp recommends always maintaining a secure and up-to-date login method to avoid accidental account lockouts.
Differences between Passkeys, SMS and traditional passwords
Let's see one comparative clear security and user experience between Passkeys, SMS and conventional passwords:
- Passkeys: Unique private key on your device, biometric authentication, impossible to intercept remotely, and no need to remember information.
- SMS: Vulnerable to SIM theft, social engineering attacks, and reception delays or failures.
- Passwords: Easy to forget, can be reused, susceptible to brute force attacks and phishing.
Passkeys represent the future of secure authentication, as evidenced by the moves made by companies like Google, Apple, eBay, Microsoft, and, of course, WhatsApp. They don't completely eliminate other security barriers like two-step verification, but they do add an extra layer that makes it harder for unauthorized access to your data.
Frequently asked questions about Passkeys on WhatsApp
- Do I need internet to use Passkeys?
Yes, you need to be online for WhatsApp to validate your password with its servers. - Can I use Passkeys on multiple devices?
Yes, although each device must have access to your linked password manager. - What happens if I lose my phone?
You can recover your account using biometric access on your new device by restoring the backup from the password manager. If you've revoked the password, you'll need to revoke it. - Is it compatible with iOS?
Yes. More and more iOS users can enjoy Passkeys thanks to recent updates.
The arrival of Passkeys to WhatsApp represents a quantum leap in the protection of user accounts. By replacing insecure methods like SMS and eliminating the need to memorize passwords, this system brings agility and peace of mind to millions of people.
If you haven't activated it yet, try it out and enjoy maximum security, privacy, and convenience every time you access your WhatsApp account.