WhatsApp has announced a new feature that enables iOS users to link their email addresses to their accounts. Previously, users could only access WhatsApp through their registered phone numbers. The inclusion of an email address will provide an additional method for account access, which could be particularly beneficial in scenarios where SMS codes cannot be received.
In the latest update for WhatsApp for iOS version 2.23.24.70 (via WABetaInfo), the app is actively prompting users to input their email addresses. A notification within the app clarifies that “Email helps you access your account. It isn’t visible to others.” Users will need to verify their email by entering a code sent to them for this purpose.
To integrate an email address into your account, ensure you have the latest version of WhatsApp downloaded from the App Store on your iPhone. After installing the update for WhatsApp for iOS 2.23.24.70, navigate to the settings menu and select Account > Email address to proceed with the addition. This feature was previously observed in the app’s beta releases for both Android and iOS earlier in the month.
Once an email address is linked, users can receive verification codes through email, which can prove invaluable if SMS verification is not feasible due to network disruptions or other technical problems. Despite this new feature, WhatsApp will continue to prioritize the phone number as the main account identifier, with the email serving as a confidential method for receiving authentication codes.
There is currently no information on when this feature will become available to all Android users on the stable channel. However, Gadgets 360 has confirmed that it is accessible to beta testers on Android, and users have reported that the email linking functionality performs as expected. The Meta-owned messaging platform is anticipated to extend this feature to Android users shortly.
