WhatsApp introduces passkey support for iOS users, enhancing security and offline sign-in
As announced several months ago, WhatsApp has finally added passkey support for iOS, enabling users to log into the app using biometrics, Face ID, Touch ID, or their phone's passcode, in order to enhance security by removing the need for passwords or SMS-based two-factor authentication. The feature already available on Android, will be rolled out to iOS users gradually over the next few weeks.
A notable feature of passkeys is the ability to sign in offline, as the authentication key is stored on the device. Users can check the availability of this feature by going to Settings > Account > Passkeys, although the rollout timeline may vary for different users.
Despite the new passkeys feature, users will still need to scan a QR code from the "Linked Devices" menu to access WhatsApp on other devices. This is due to the fact that Mac, Windows, and web platforms cannot be primary devices for a WhatsApp account and still require a QR code scan for authentication.