Whatsapp important feature to turn on to avoid any configuration

Never hand your phone to someone before checking your WhatsApp settings first 

Do you regularly give your phone to friends or family? Make sure you have your privacy.

There is an important WhatsApp feature that you need to turn on to avoid any configurations.

We all passed our handsets to someone else. Maybe you want to share a photo, clip, or show the app. Or maybe someone is using your phone regularly.

In any case, allowing someone to use your iPhone or Android means you are in danger of giving them access to your WhatsApp.

Thankfully, there is a way to install a second lock on WhatsApp.

This means that someone can use your phone with your permission - but without allowing them to access your WhatsApp messages.

"As an added security measure, you can enable Touch ID or Face ID on WhatsApp," explains the company. "You can still respond to messages from notifications and answer calls when WhatsApp is turned off."

Here's how to do it ...

On the iPhone, you have two privacy options: Touch ID or Face ID.

WhatsApp latest privacy settings

Which one you use depends on the iPhone model you have but it does mean that you can unlock it with a fingerprint scanner or your face.

To unlock it, go to WhatsApp, open Settings, and then press Account.

Next go to Privacy and then Lock the Screen.

After that, you will want to turn on Request Touch ID or Need Face ID.

You will also be given the option to choose how long WhatsApp can be in standby mode before you need any Touch ID or Face ID which you have saved.

Related: Turn on disappearing messages on WhatsApp

Remember: 

You can disable this at any time by reverting to your WhatsApp settings.

If unlocking does not work, you can still access your iPhone password.

Enable Android fingerprint lock on WhatsApp

As an additional privacy measure, you can lock your fingerprints when you open WhatsApp on phone, WhatsApp said. Once this is enabled, you will need to use fingerprints to access the application.

First, log in to WhatsApp and touch More Options - or three dots.

Next, go to Settings, then Account, and then Privacy.

You will want to scroll down to the bottom and press Lock Fingerprints.

Then open Open with Fingerprints.

You will be asked to touch the fingerprint sensor to confirm the fingerprints you will use.

As with the iPhone, you can select a time limit before you need to authorize your fingerprints on WhatsApp again.

You will also find the option to display the content in the notifications if you want to preview any text message within the notifications.

If you do not see any of these options, you may be using an older version of Android.

You will need to have an Android device with a fingerprint sensor running Android 6.0.

The feature will not work on Samsung Galaxy S5, Samsung Galaxy Note 4, or Samsung Galaxy Note 8.

Remember:

You can answer WhatsApp calls even if the app is locked.

Why WhatsApp may be asking you soon to verify your identity

Recently there have been rumors circulating that WhatsApp users will be ‘banned’ from using features if they do not verify their identity. And as is often the case with rumors, this is partially true and false.

It is no secret that WhatsApp is issuing in-app payments that will allow users to send money to each other and pay businesses for goods and services. This should come as no surprise: a common feature of many competing messaging apps around the world.

Related: How to delete Whatsapp chat from Google drive

WhatsApp has already introduced this feature - called WhatsApp Pay - in other countries, including Brazil and, more recently, India, but it is yet to reach Europe, including the UK. The program works using existing MasterCard and Visa networks, and is in line with the latest WhatsApp focus on allowing businesses to connect with customers using a platform.

One of the first examples of this in the UK is National Rail which provides automatic travel updates via WhatsApp.

Rumors, based on posts by XDA Developers, suggest that before you can use WhatsApp to make and receive payments you will need to verify your identity by sending some kind of official ID.

This is because various new messages (strings) have been found in the beta version of WhatsApp including the following:

"Verify your identity to continue using payments on WhatsApp."

"Your identity could not be verified. Try uploading the documents again."