How to Enable and DisableTwo step verification in WhatsApp

Technology giants such as Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Facebook among others have always advocated enabling two-step verification to add more security. If you still don't use two-step verification, we recommend enabling the security feature following these simple steps for many popular services. Facebook-owned WhatsApp is now rolling out support for two-step verification to all users.


The new two-step verification is optional, but ideally you should secure your WhatsApp account. The company assures that once two-step verification enabled, any attempt to verify phone number on WhatsApp will require a six-digit passcode that is created by the user.

Although the feature was earlier only available to WhatsApp Beta users, today it is now rolling out for all users. To enable WhatsApp’s two-factor authentication, you need to follow these steps:

1. Open WhatsApp (duh!)
2. Go to Settings
3. Go to Account
4. Look for Two-step verification
5. Tap on Enable
6. On the next screen, enter six-digit passcode.
7. Next, re-enter six-digit passcode.
8. Optionally, add your email address on the next screen.

In the last step - optional, as mentioned - WhatsApp asks for an email address to link with your account. This email address will let WhatsApp to send a link via email to disable two-step verification in case user forgets the six-digit passcode. To help you remember your passcode, WhatsApp will periodically ask you to enter your passcode. There is no option to disable this without disabling the two-step verification feature.

Upon enabling this feature, you can also optionally enter your email address. This email address will allow WhatsApp to send you a link via email to disable two-step verification in case you ever forget your six-digit passcode, and also to help safeguard your account.

In case you user forget the six-digit passcode, WhatsApp won't permit re-verifying the account within seven days of last using WhatsApp.

"After these seven days, your number will be permitted to re-verify on WhatsApp without your passcode, but you will lose all pending messages upon re-verifying - they will be deleted. If your number is re-verified on WhatsApp after 30 days of last using WhatsApp, and without your passcode, your account will be deleted and a new one will be created upon successfully re-verifying," the WhatsApp team explains.

Disable Two-Step Verification

Open Whatsapp and go to Account>Settings>Two-Step Verification. Tap the ‘Disable’ option. You will have to enter your passcode once before two-step verification is disabled. You can also change your passcode from this same screen but again you will need to verify the change by entering your old passcode.

Two-step verification in Whatsapp is meant to prevent someone from setting up the app with your phone number. In the event you lose your SIM, or someone manages to have a duplicate SIM issued, the passcode will bar them from setting up Whatsapp for your number.

If you use Whatsapp on your desktop, it will not ask you for the passcode when you start a new session. It assumes that it’s you since you have to scan a QR code with your phone to sign in.