WhatsApp update: The organization is working away at another feature called WhatsApp Flash Call, which can be used to quickly login to a new mobile device, in addition to the existing notification method. WhatsApp already supports SMS-based authentication, but it will be supplemented by the new login mechanism.
Presently, WhatsApp users are able to verify their phone numbers by entering a six-digit code that is shipped off them by the application. The WhatsApp code is naturally gone into the application with the assistance of Google Play Services on Android, while it is copied to the clipboard automatically so it can be pasted using the keyboard on iOS. However, the new WhatsApp Flash Call login method is designed to simplify the process for users.
The new Flash Call feature was first spotted on WhatsApp beta form 2.21.11.7 of the application, by noted feature leaker WABetaInfo. Rather than sending an SMS containing a code to the users, WhatsApp will soon send a call to the user and then automatically end the call once the app detects the call. WABetaInfo also says that the number that makes the call is always different which should make it difficult to trick the system.
While reports suggested that the WhatsApp Flash Call feature will make signing into different devices simpler once the forthcoming multi-device support carries out, the inquiry actually remains whether entering an SMS got on one gadget is simpler than embeddings a SIM card into different gadgets just to get a Flash Call. Additionally, users will need to grant WhatsApp the ability to access their call logs, which could be a privacy concern for some users.
Meanwhile, another worry is that the WhatsApp Flash Call feature will basically not work on iOS, because of the security and protection feature set up by Apple. Since applications have no way to request (and thereby no access) to the call history on iPhones, there is no way for the Facebook-owned company to implement this feature on Apple’s iPhones. While the feature is still being developed, there is no way of knowing when the WhatsApp update will arrive, or whether it will launch alongside support for multiple devices in the coming months.
