WhatsApp will soon let you login using your email address

WhatsApp has lately received a myriad of new features, adding to its convenience and security. However, this time around, it seems to be playing catchup, having just received a new feature that seems to have been available on most other social media and instant messaging platforms for years. We’re talking about the ability to link an email address to your account.

How email-based logins on WhatsApp will work and why they're useful

According to WABetaInfo, the latest beta version of the instant messaging platform allows one to log in to their account using their email address. This feature, in addition to being a convenient alternative, also enhances security on the platform.

The new email access feature is intended to serve as a backup, for situations wherein the user may not have access to their registered phone number, using which they would traditionally log in to their accounts using a six-digit code received via SMS.

Having said that, the email address will not be made the sole option to log in to one’s account, and first-time users will still require a phone number to register on the app. Moreover, whether one wants to link their email address to their WhatsApp account, is entirely up to their preference.

One can access it by heading to their WhatsApp account settings on their devices, under which they should see an option simply called ‘Email address.’ Once users have entered their email address in the text field, they will need to verify the same.

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The feature is reportedly being made available to WhatsApp Beta users on both, Android and iOS devices. However, when it will be made available for desktop devices, or when it will be rolled out for use to the general public, remains unknown as of now.

Other WhatsApp features to look out for

WhatsApp has been on a roll lately. On the security front itself, the app recently introduced passkey-based logins, which entirely eliminates the need to remember long passwords.

Other general new features on the app range from a recently introduced skip-forward feature for videos, screen sharing capabilities and landscape mode support for video calls, the ability to send HD photos and videos, to edit captions for media, and even the ability to use WhatsApp with the same account on two devices, or two different accounts on the same device.