WhatsApp is working on a fingerprint locking mechanism for Android phones to protect the chats of its users from being seen by others. The fingerprint authentication mechanism will add an extra layer of security, as the WhatsApp users will have to authenticate their identity every time they open the app.

This feature will be available for the Android user for now and later it will be introduced to the iOS users too, with newer operating systems, Android Marshmallow and a fingerprint sensor. According to WABetaInfo, the feature is presently under development and is disabled by default in the Android 2.19.3 beta version.

The report also said, “After working to implement Face ID and Touch ID features on iOS (that aren't available yet for development reasons), WhatsApp has finally started to work on the Authentication feature on Android, using your Fingerprint”.

The fingerprint authentication feature will be available within the app under Settings > Account > Privacy. Once you enable the fingerprint feature, WhatsApp will be completely protected from others to be seen and if your phone is already protected by an authentication method, it is no longer needed.

The report also added, “the user will need to authenticate his identity in order to open WhatsApp (from the app icon, from the notification or from external pickers). It will protect the entire app, so it's not used to lock specific conversations”.

Apart from this the new WhatsApp beta for Android 2.19.3 update will come along with a new as well as improved Audio picker, where the users will be able to preview the audio files before sending them to their contacts. There will be a new tray to open the audio files as well as image preview of the audio file will also be available. Moreover, the WhatsApp users will be able to send a maximum of 30 audio files at one time.

WhatsApp has also been working on several new features for both Android and iOS users like Consecutive Voice Message, Dark Mode, Sticker Search and many more. WhatsApp also has added some new features recently for the iOS users, like the option to add personal and content Stickers on images, Group Stickers management, 3D Touch action for Status, replay privately and many more. All these features are now available with the WhatsApp beta update for iOS version 2.19.10.21, which is out for public beta programme users.



