Whatsapp and passkeys

Privacy Questions
1

So first of I’m required to use Whatsapp due to work, so I decided to try to make the best out of it.

Register with an prepaid sim card, enable passkeys etc etc.

I managed to get my Passkey all set up (Android). But now I’m a bit puzzled about what WhatsApp is actually doing with it. Typically, in other apps that use passkeys correctly, it’s used as a login credential without needing extra 2FA steps.

However, on WhatsApp, I still have to confirm my number through a call or SMS, which doesn’t seem to involve the Passkey at all. It’s left me wondering, what exactly is WhatsApp using the Passkey for?

Anyone else tried this or have any explanations?

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2

I could be wrong but as far as I know - it’s to restore your account on a new device. And it’s used to unlock the same.

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3

I have tried it on a new device, but you will still need to get the SMS verifications, it doesn’t even prompt for any passkeys anywhere which is strange. I thought that was the whole point of the passkeys on Whatsapp, get rid of the insecure SMS verification process

4

I see. Then I am wrong.

Perhaps someone else can confirm/clarify.

Edit: I found this.

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5

If you log out, you will be able to login with passkey without SMS. SMS is needed to register account.

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6

Have you tried this in practice yourself to verify it’s working?

Because I have tried everything now I feel, and I am already registered.

7

https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsapp/comments/18zzifh/passkeys_in_whatsapp/

8

Just delete whatsapp, and try to log in, you will have an option to login with passkey. Yes, I did it, it works.

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9

Strange, because I have done exactly that too. Did you have the two step verification pin enabled or disabled?

10

Pin is enabled and whatsapp sometimes even asks it just in case if it is still you. Passkey is just one of the options to login. There is also email. And SMS.

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11

Let me try once again later in the night and see, thanks for feedback :smile: