magine your phone number being stolen or an attacker intercepting your SMS with a verification code—and that’s it. Your WhatsApp account, all your personal correspondence, work chats, and access to business communications are in the wrong hands. Such situations happen every day, and even a two-factor authentication PIN isn’t always enough, as scammers have learned to bypass it. But that’s about to change: WhatsApp is testing a new feature—password protection for your account. Now, even if your SMS code is stolen, attackers will need an additional password, like in other messaging apps.
Table of Contents
The Problem
For a long time, the primary way to protect your WhatsApp account was a 6-digit verification code sent via SMS. However, this method has become outdated and vulnerable. Fraudsters have learned to:
- reissue SIM cards (SIM swapping) through proxy users or social engineering;
- intercept SMS messages through carrier vulnerabilities;
- access SMS messages through compromised devices or sync.
Even two-factor authentication (2FA) with an additional PIN code doesn’t provide complete protection. Attackers, having gained access to your number, can attempt to reset or restore 2FA through the same vulnerabilities. As a result, millions of users worldwide lose access to their accounts, along with work messages, customer databases, and personal data.
What’s changing
WhatsApp is developing a new level of security: an account password. This is an additional authentication factor that works independently of the SMS code and two-factor authentication.
Key Features:
- Length – 6 to 20 characters.
- Requirements – at least one letter and one number (alphanumeric format).
- Strength Control – the system will indicate whether your password is strong enough.
- Flexibility – you can set, change, or disable your password at any time.
- Optionality – this feature is completely voluntary; each user decides whether they need additional security.
How it helps
The new system builds a multi-layered defense that makes account hacking virtually impossible, even if your phone number is compromised.
Scenario without 2FA (password only). If the user has a password set but two-factor authentication is not enabled, the login process looks like this:
- Even if an attacker receives an SMS with a 6-digit code, when they enter the code, the system immediately requests the password.
- Access to the account is impossible without knowing the password.
2FA and password scenario (maximum security). For users most concerned about identity theft:
- Login requires a 6-digit SMS code.
- Then a two-factor authentication (2FA) code is requested.
- And only then a password.
- Three independent factors that an attacker must obtain simultaneously.
What does this mean in practice? Even if a fraudster:
- intercepted an SMS;
- somehow learned your 2FA code (which is unlikely);
- they will still be required to enter a password.
The password is stored only in the user’s memory, is not transmitted via SMS, and is not linked to the SIM card. It cannot be intercepted remotely—only if an attacker gains direct access to the device or you provide it yourself.
How it will work
The feature will appear in the app settings and will be completely controlled by the user.
Where to set it up? In the account settings section, next to two-factor authentication.
- Setup process: The user enters their desired password (6 to 20 characters, letters and numbers); the system evaluates its strength and saves it.
- Login process: Each time they attempt to register their number on a new device, they will be prompted for a password after entering the SMS code (and 2FA, if enabled).
- Change and reset: The password can be updated or completely disabled in the settings at any time.
- Important: A password does not replace two-factor authentication, but rather complements it. It is an additional layer of security that makes hacking an account economically unfeasible for attackers.
Availability
The account password protection feature is under active development. It was discovered in the latest beta version of WhatsApp for Android.
The developers are testing:
- Integration with the existing two-factor authentication system;
- User interface and ease of use of settings;
- Security of password storage and verification.
The release is planned for a future update. The exact release date has not yet been announced.
Conclusion
The introduction of password protection for your account is WhatsApp’s long-awaited response to the growing threats associated with phone number theft and SMS interception. This feature doesn’t just add another step to logging in; it creates a fundamentally new level of security, making account hacking by reissuing a SIM card virtually impossible.
Set a password, enable two-factor authentication, and rest easy. Your WhatsApp is securely protected.
At GREEN-API, we’re keeping an eye on the news and will inform you about all the significant updates. We’re also constantly working on adding new features to our service to make your experience even more convenient. Follow our blog to stay informed about new and useful features in WhatsApp!