Whenever you're setting up WhatsApp on a new phone, you'll have to verify the phone number with a one-time password. WhatsApp also lets you add an extra layer of security in the form of a PIN. This way, you will have to enter the one-time password sent to your registered phone number on top of a six-digit PIN before you can install WhatsApp on your phone. This ensures you have dual protective layers, which is why it's called two-factor authentication. Here's how you can enable two-factor authentication in WhatsApp for Android.
How to enable two-factor authentication in WhatsApp for Android
It may be pointedly obvious, but please make sure you have WhatsApp installed on your phone before starting.
1. Open WhatsApp on your Android phone.
2. Tap the three dots in the top right corner.
3. Tap Settings.
4. Tap Account.
5. Select Two-step verification.
6. Hit Enable to set up a PIN.
7. Enter your six-digit PIN.
8. Add an email address that will be used to reset your PIN should you forget it.
9. Confirm your email address and hit Done to finish.
You'll now need to enter your PIN the next time you're setting up WhatsApp, whether that's on a new phone or if you're reinstalling the app. It's easy enough to reset the PIN should you forget it, so make sure you furnish an email account, so you don't get locked out of your account.
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A great product is even more enjoyable when you don't have to pay for it. This rings true with WhatsApp Messenger as it has one of the largest user bases out there. However, it isn't one of the best messaging apps for Android just because it is free and used by many people. It's the features you get that makes it our top recommendation for messaging platforms.
Even though Facebook owns WhatsApp, users still have comfort in the app's end-to-end encryption that ensures their privacy. Then there are other things such as free text messages and VoIP calls (audio and video), a simple and easy-to-use interface, plenty of stickers, emojis, and GIFs, and the ability to share a wide variety of files. You can send documents, music, videos, photos, links, and even APK files through the app. You can share your location and contacts, just about anything under the sun.
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Hands down, WhatsApp is one of the best messaging platforms out there for Android. You can make free calls, send documents, share voice notes, edit images in-app, access your messages from desktop, and so much more.
Harish Jonnalagadda is a Senior Editor overseeing Asia at Android Central. He leads the site's coverage of Chinese phone brands, contributing to reviews, features, and buying guides. He also writes about storage servers, audio products, and the semiconductor industry. Contact him on Twitter at @chunkynerd.
