With this new upgrade, users of WhatsApp may now link their email addresses to their accounts for better authentication. For consumers with Wi-Fi access but limited cellular coverage, this email verification technique offers an alternative to traditional SMS verification. This feature, which was first accessible to WhatsApp beta testers, is now being rolled out to all users worldwide.

This new email verification feature is available as of the 23.24.70 iOS update, which WABetaInfo reports is now live on the App Store. It is anticipated that the update will soon be available to Android users, but the deployment seems to be slow, with users receiving it in bursts. Although the email verification technique isn’t available on iOS or Android as of right now, WABetaInfo guarantees that the feature is being widely released.

Due to its historical reliance on phone numbers and one-time password SMSes for user authentication, WhatsApp has had trouble in places with spotty cellular service. This problem is addressed by the recently introduced email verification technique. By guaranteeing that the email address verification is kept private, users have the option to use or disable this function, which adds an added degree of protection. This is especially helpful for people who are reluctant to give up their email addresses to friends or strangers.

Even though WhatsApp will always prioritize mobile number verification as the main authentication option, adding email verification is helpful for people who live in low-cellular network areas or frequently visit them. To enable this function, users must go to Settings > Account > Email Address. After turning it on, users will get an email with a six-digit verification code rather than an SMS. It is promised that for individuals who have not yet gotten the function, it will be added to their accounts progressively over the duration of the upcoming weeks.

As part of its ongoing effort to improve user experience, the messaging app owned by Meta has included its AI chatbot into WhatsApp Beta for Android. Users can access Meta AI directly from the chat window by clicking on a unique icon that sits above the New Chat icon. This indicator highlights the platform’s continuous attempts to improve its functionality.