WhatsApp took a step to beef up security by adding two-step verification for Android beta users

Social networking giant and one of the popular messaging app WhatsApp has now started rolling out two-step verification for the latest Android beta versions of the app. Users will now see the new Two-step verification option in the Account settings. To activate it, open WhatsApp > Settings > Account > Two-step verification > Enable. Two-step verification isn’t compulsory and rather, an optional feature that adds more security to your account.

Upon enabling this feature, one can optionally enter email address as well, which will allow WhatsApp to send a link via email to disable two-step verification in case you ever forget your six-digit passcode. The company recommends that users provide an accurate email address so that they aren’t locked out of their account if they ever forget the passcode.

If the user is having have the two-step verification enabled, their number will not be permitted to re-verify on WhatsApp within 7 days of last using WhatsApp without your passcode. Thus, if you forget your own passcode, but did not provide an email to disable two-step verification, even you will not be permitted to reverify on WhatsApp within 7 days of last using WhatsApp.

The company added that after these 7 days, user number will be permitted to re-verify on WhatsApp without – passcode, but they will lose all pending messages upon re-verifying – they will be deleted. If the number is re-verified on WhatsApp after 30 days of last using WhatsApp, and without passcode, their account will be deleted and a new one will be created upon successfully re-verifying.