How to Turn On and Off Face ID for WhatsApp

BySerhat Kurt Posted on Reading Time: 4 minutes

I recently realized how important it is to secure certain apps on my iPhone, especially the ones that contain personal or sensitive information—like WhatsApp. With Face ID, it’s incredibly convenient to lock and unlock the app without typing in a passcode every time. For instance, I turned it on because I often leave my phone on my desk at work, and I wanted an extra layer of security in case someone picked it up.

On the other hand, there are moments when I’ve turned it off. Once, I was troubleshooting an issue with Face ID on my iPhone, and I needed to temporarily disable it for all apps, including WhatsApp. Another time, I was letting a family member use my phone briefly to send a message, and I didn’t want the hassle of unlocking it for them each time.

It’s also worth noting that even if you don’t enable Face ID for WhatsApp, your full messages won’t be visible to others unless they open the app. However, they can still see who sent a message in the notifications, which might be a privacy concern for some. This won’t be changed. On a related note, you also have the option to customize WhatsApp notification sounds.

There are two simple ways to turn Face ID on or off for WhatsApp, and I’ll explain both in this article. Whether you’re enabling it for extra security or disabling it for convenience, it’s a quick process that you can manage in just a few steps.

Method 1: Using iPhone and WhatsApp Settings

The first way to enable or disable Face ID for WhatsApp is through the app’s built-in settings. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Open WhatsApp on your iPhone:
    Launch the WhatsApp app from your Home Screen.
  2. Go to Settings:
    Tap the Settings icon in the bottom-right corner of the app.
  3. Select Privacy:
    In the Settings menu, choose Privacy. This is where you can manage features like lock settings and message visibility.
  4. Tap App Lock.
  5. Enable or Disable Face ID in WhatsApp:
    • To turn on Face ID, toggle the switch next to Require Face ID to the on position (green).
    • To turn off Face ID, toggle the switch to the off position (gray).
  6. Adjust the Auto-Lock Timer (Optional):
    If you’re enabling Face ID, you can also choose how soon WhatsApp should lock after you close it. Options include immediately, after 1 minute, after 15 minutes, or after 1 hour. Select the option that suits your preferences.
  7. Check iPhone Face ID Settings:
    • Go to Settings on your iPhone.
    • Tap Face ID & Passcode and enter your passcode.
    • Select Other Apps to see a list of apps using Face ID.
    • Find WhatsApp in the list and toggle it on or off depending on your preference.
Require Face ID settings

By following these steps, you can easily enable or disable Face ID for WhatsApp.

Method 2: Using the Quick Action Menu on the Home Screen

If you’re looking for an even quicker way to enable or disable Face ID for WhatsApp, you can do it directly from the Home Screen using the app’s Quick Action Menu. Here’s how:

  1. Locate the WhatsApp App on Your Home Screen:
    Find the WhatsApp icon on your iPhone’s Home Screen.
  2. Long-Press the WhatsApp Icon:
    Tap and hold the WhatsApp app icon until the Quick Action Menu appears. This menu includes several options for managing the app.
  3. Select the Face ID Option:
    • To enable Face ID, tap Require Face ID from the menu.
    • To disable Face ID, tap Don’t Require Face ID from the menu.
  4. Look at Your Screen to Authenticate:
    Your iPhone will prompt you to use Face ID to confirm the change. Simply look at your screen, and Face ID will automatically activate or deactivate the setting based on your selection.
Require Face ID shortcut

This method is perfect if you want to quickly switch Face ID on or off without navigating through multiple menus.

Managing Face ID for WhatsApp is simple and flexible, whether you’re looking for added security or a bit more convenience. By using either the in-app settings or the Quick Action Menu on your Home Screen, you can easily enable or disable this feature in just a few steps. With these options, you can tailor WhatsApp’s privacy settings to fit your needs at any time.

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Dr. Serhat Kurt worked as a Senior Technology Director specializing in Apple solutions for small and medium-sized educational institutions. He holds a doctoral degree (or doctorate) from the University of Illinois at Urbana / Champaign and a master’s degree from Purdue University. He is a former faculty member. Here is his LinkedIn profile and Google Scholar profile. Email Serhat Kurt.

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One Comment

  1. Method 2 was by the far the easiest.
    Method 1 simply didn’t work on my phone no matter what I did and in what order and even if switching off the phone and back on.
    So, method 2 it is and so quick and easy and effective….

    Reply

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