WhatsApp Gains Email Address Verification for Authenticating Accounts

[MacRumors]

WhatsApp has started allowing users to authenticate their account on a device with an email address as an alternative to using a phone number, for times when cellular coverage is poor.

The new option to link an account to an email address does not replace SMS verification via a six-pin code, and opening a WhatsApp account still requires the user to provide a number. But with email verification, existing users now also have the means to authenticate their account on a device with an internet connection even if their cellular service is unavailable.

Spotted by WABetaInfo, the new feature is rolling out today as part of version 23.24.70 of WhatsApp for iPhone in the App Store. To use email verification in the updated app, tap the Settings tab, choose Account, then select Email Address.

WhatsApp has also been working on a username feature that could potentially provide people on the messaging service with an additional layer of privacy when communicating with others.

The username feature is still in development, so it's too early to tell how they will work when they are rolled out, but it could be that the platform intends to let users reach other people by entering a username instead of a phone number, similar to Telegram.

Article Link: WhatsApp Gains Email Address Verification for Authenticating Accounts

 

[n-evo]

WhatsApp has started allowing users to authenticate their account on a device with an email address as an alternative to using a phone number, for times when cellular coverage is poor.

I don’t get it. Without coverage how would I be able to receive an email then?

 

[krspkbl]

I don’t get it. Without coverage how would I be able to receive an email then?

"cellular coverage". i guess this is for when you have no cellular signal but have access to wifi.

 

[n-evo]

"cellular coverage". i guess this is for when you have no cellular signal but have access to wifi.

With WiFi calling turned on it also enables people to receive SMS messages that way. With my service provider at least. But now I’m guessing not all providers support that?

 

[JustAnExpat]

With WiFi calling turned on it also enables people to receive SMS messages that way. With my service provider at least. But now I’m guessing not all providers support that?

Not all providers support it.

 

[n-evo]

Not all providers support it.

Right. Makes more sense then. 😅

 

[mystery hill]

I don’t get it. Without coverage how would I be able to receive an email then?

Not all carriers support Wi-Fi calling/SMS yet.

You can receive an email if you’re signing in to another device and don’t have access to your phone or SIM.

 

[d5aqoëp]

In India, if you buy a new iPhone and wish to transfer esim from old iPhone to new iPhone, the SMS service is barred 24hrs for security purposes. Logging into WhatsApp using email will be a big boon in such scenarios. If one already has a physical sim then it's a non issue.

 

[mystery hill]

Hopefully this means that a phone number won’t be required for WhatsApp.

Usernames, passkeys, and email addresses for verification and account recovery would be all that’s needed.

 

[Powerguru]

Haha. Another piece of user information for Zuckerberg to sell. 😀

 

[senttoschool]

Hopefully this means that a phone number won’t be required for WhatsApp.

Usernames, passkeys, and email addresses for verification and account recovery would be all that’s needed.

Would open it up for a lot of spam.

 

[mystery hill]

Would open it up for a lot of spam.

Yes, requiring a phone number does make it more difficult for spammers.

Instagram doesn’t require a number though. Meta collect so much info that they’re good at detecting attempts to create multiple accounts.

 

[chucker23n1]

Hopefully this means that a phone number won’t be required for WhatsApp.

It doesn't.

Usernames, passkeys, and email addresses for verification and account recovery would be all that’s needed.

The phone number is the username.

 

[mystery hill]

The phone number is the username.

They’ve been testing usernames, so phone numbers can remain private, and only needed for verification.

I don’t think they’d completely remove the number requirement, as it does help reduce spam/bots.

 

[contacos]

Take the iPad support out of beta already

 

[chucker23n1]

They’ve been testing usernames, so phone numbers can remain private, and only needed for verification.

I don’t think they’d completely remove the number requirement, as it does help reduce spam/bots.

Yeah, but even then, the primary key (the means to identify unique accounts) would still be the phone number. So you'd still need one.

 

[Scottyltd]

Interesting, most cellular companies advertise 99.9% coverage. Hmm, this is not a data collection tactic is it?

 

[Skyscraperfan]

WhatsApp relying on phone numbers could put WhatsApp users in legal trouble in theory, because in order to find other WhatsApp users, they have to give WhatsApp access to their contacts. In theory a user would need permission of every person in his contact list to give that data to WhatsApp. You can't just give the phone number of a friend to some app. So every person in your contact list could sue you.

I recommend Threema to people. You have to may a one time fee of $1.99 to Threema (maybe they increased prices since I last checked), but you to not need to provide a phone number. That should be the standard. Why is it okay today that people we chat with get our phone numbers? In the past only close friends got our phone numbers and we chatted via messengers like ICQ. Giving away you ICQ number was not as personal. It was only used for that service and nothing else.

 

[Bigskydoc]

Requiring a phone number to create an account is annoying, but somewhat understandable, and tolerable.

Forcing me to share my number with everyone I want to chat with is asinine, and antiquated.

Telegram is so much better at this.

I have a second SIM for WhatsApp, but I shouldn’t have to do that, just to keep my primary number private.

Since I’m on call 24-7 for one to two week stretches, I can’t just turn my phone off, if and when some chick decides she needs to repeatedly text me in the middle of the night, because I’m not responding to her WhatsApp messages.

 

[ifxf]

Interesting, most cellular companies advertise 99.9% coverage. Hmm, this is not a data collection tactic is it?

You believe cellular companies?

 

[randyhudson]

Easily the worst app on the app store. Maybe we should start calling it WorstApp?

Haha. Another piece of user information for Zuckerberg to sell. 😀

You think they don't already have your email? WhatsApp is intentionally Cripple-ware unless you share all of your contacts with the app. Assuming everyone you know has already done the same, they've had your email address and probably physical address for several years now.

 

[jayryco]

My dark mode WhatsApp also has a new green and black colour design from today

 

[nikhsub1]

Not seeing the option with the latest update.

 

[ApAx]

American here: Can someone please explain why WhatsApp is the text message method of choice in your country? What are the benefits vs. a mobile number plan with your device's native messaging app?

 

[ipedro]

American here: Can someone please explain why WhatsApp is the text message method of choice in your country? What are the benefits vs. a mobile number plan with your device's native messaging app?

WhatsApp came before RCS. It has the same appeal to Android users, of which European and Asian users are a majority of, that iMessage has had to Apple users.

Instead of going through a carrier as SMS has done (not too long ago with a limit of texts per month and even a charge per SMS), it can use data on WiFi to send large attachments, can easily handle large group chats regardless of what platform everyone is on, and has dynamic messaging features like typing indicator, read status, reactions, stickers, etc. And of course, it can make calls over WiFi. All of this for free, the same way iMessage/FaceTime has done it.

With RCS, some or most of that advantage goes away – specially when Apple adds compatibility, though I suspect people will continue using WhatsApp out of habit. I personally look forward to these external apps not having to exist. If Apple enables seamless group chats between RCS Android and iMessage iOS users, then I suspect none of us will need WhatsApp – who cares about the colour of the bubbles.