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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsTo secure WhatsApp, keep your six-digit registration code private, turn on two-step verification, set up a passkey if the option is available, and regularly remove linked devices you do not recognize. These protections do different jobs: the registration code proves control of your phone number, two-step verification adds another check, a passkey uses your device’s security system, and linked devices are active companion sessions.
How WhatsApp’s security checks differ
WhatsApp uses several controls at different points in account access. The registration code verifies that you control the phone number when registering the account. Two-step verification is an additional check after registration. A passkey uses the phone’s security system for login, while linked devices are companion sessions you can review and log out.
| Control | What it does | Important distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Registration code | Verifies control of the phone number during registration. | It is not the two-step verification credential. Never share it. |
| Two-step verification | Adds an account check after registration. | WhatsApp is transitioning from a six-digit PIN to a password; what you see may depend on your account’s rollout. |
| Passkey | Uses the device’s security system, such as fingerprint, face, or screen lock, for account login. | WhatsApp says it can make login faster when two-step verification is enabled. It is not established as a replacement for every verification or recovery step. |
| Linked-device review | Shows companion sessions that can be logged out from your phone. | These are different from trusted devices in two-step verification settings. WhatsApp does not show who accessed the account, or the time and location of access. |
| Account recovery | Re-registers your phone number and logs out existing sessions. | Changing a password alone does not remove an intruder already using the account. |
Set up the protections you can control
Keep the registration code private
When registering, WhatsApp asks for a six-digit code sent by SMS or phone call. Email delivery may be available in specified circumstances for an existing account. The code checks control of the phone number; it is separate from the extra two-step verification check. Never give the registration code to another person. See WhatsApp’s explanation of registration and two-step verification.
Turn on two-step verification
Enable two-step verification in WhatsApp’s account security settings and follow the credential prompt shown in your app. WhatsApp is moving the legacy six-digit PIN flow to a password, but the change is not necessarily complete for every account. Use the current option displayed in your version rather than assuming every user sees the same label. Do not share this credential. WhatsApp describes two-step verification as an additional layer; it does not restore access to an account you have lost or remove someone who is already using it. The two-step verification help page also discusses passkeys.
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Set up a passkey if WhatsApp offers it
A passkey links WhatsApp login to the device’s security system, such as its fingerprint, face, or screen lock. WhatsApp says a passkey can make login faster when two-step verification is on. The available guidance does not establish a complete list of supported devices, operating systems, or regions, so availability may vary. It also does not establish that a passkey replaces all other verification or recovery requirements. WhatsApp’s account security tips describe how passkeys use the device’s security system.
Check and remove linked devices
Linked devices are companion sessions, for example on WhatsApp Web or Desktop. They are not the same thing as trusted devices listed in two-step verification settings. Check linked devices regularly; if a session is unfamiliar, log it out from your phone. WhatsApp does not provide forensic details identifying who accessed the account or when and where access occurred, so act on the sessions visible to you. Follow WhatsApp’s steps to check linked devices and unlink an unrecognized device.
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Recover a compromised account
If someone has taken over your account, changing the two-step verification password is not enough to end their active session. WhatsApp’s stated recovery route is to register your phone number again: enter the six-digit code received by SMS or phone call. Once entered, WhatsApp automatically logs out all devices signed in to the account. See the instructions for a phone number registered on a new device and for recovering a compromised account.
If WhatsApp asks for an unfamiliar two-step verification PIN
After you enter the registration code, WhatsApp may ask for the account’s two-step verification PIN. If it is unknown to you, WhatsApp says you may have to wait seven days before trying again. Alert your contacts if someone may be impersonating you while you work to regain access.
If you no longer have the SIM or phone number
An email address previously added and verified may help you receive a registration code when logging into an existing account, but it is not a general replacement for access to the phone number. WhatsApp says an active SIM for the associated number must still be in the device to receive verification codes. If you have lost the SIM or number, contact your mobile provider and request a replacement SIM with the same number. Details are in WhatsApp’s guidance on email verification codes and resetting two-step verification.
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