How to Use a Face ID or Passcode to lock WhatsApp on an iPhone

Ensuring the privacy of your WhatsApp conversations is paramount in today’s digital age. This blog post walks you through how to use Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode to lock WhatsApp on your iPhone, providing an extra layer of security even when your phone is unlocked.

Locking WhatsApp with Face ID or Touch ID:

Apple’s Face ID and Touch ID offer enhanced security features, and WhatsApp allows you to leverage these technologies for an added layer of protection. Follow these steps to lock WhatsApp on various iPhone models:

1. Launch WhatsApp: Open the WhatsApp app on your iPhone.
2. Access Settings: In the bottom right corner of the screen, select the “Settings” tab.
3. Navigate to Privacy: Choose “Privacy” from the options presented.
4. Activate Screen Lock: Under “Screen Lock,” toggle the switch for “Face ID is required” or “Touch ID is required.”
5. Choose Duration: Decide how long Face ID or Touch ID will be required to access WhatsApp.

With Screen Lock enabled, your WhatsApp chats can only be accessed with the registered face, fingerprint, or passcode.

Handling Failed Face ID or Touch ID Attempts:

In case Face ID or Touch ID fails, a white screen displaying “WhatsApp Locked” will appear. After a few unsuccessful attempts, you can use your iPhone passcode to access WhatsApp.

Can You Lock WhatsApp with a Password?

Unfortunately, WhatsApp does not provide an option to lock the app with a password. While Face ID and Touch ID are available, there isn’t a built-in password feature for WhatsApp.

Unlocking WhatsApp without Face ID or Touch ID:

If, for any reason, you need to bypass Face ID or Touch ID on WhatsApp, you can do so with the iPhone passcode:

1. Access iPhone Settings: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode: Scroll down and select ‘Face ID & Passcode’ or ‘Touch ID & Passcode.’
3. Enter iPhone Passcode: Enter the passcode for your iPhone.
4. Adjust Face ID/Touch ID Settings: Under ‘Use Face ID/Touch ID For,’ select ‘Other Apps’ and turn off WhatsApp.
5. Relaunch WhatsApp: Open WhatsApp again.
6. Enter iPhone Passcode: You will be prompted to enter your iPhone passcode, granting access to WhatsApp.

While this method is not an official feature, it provides a workaround by disabling WhatsApp’s Face ID or Touch ID authorization temporarily.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can customize the security settings on WhatsApp, ensuring that your conversations remain private and protected. Whether using Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode, these features offer an additional layer of security for your WhatsApp app on your iPhone.