Instagram could soon let you receive two-factor authentication (2FA) codes on WhatsApp. App developer and leaker Alessandro Paluzzi, who has a decent track record of discovering upcoming features on popular apps, has spotted this feature in development in the Instagram app.
2FA is a widely used security element that requires you to enter more than one type of personal identification information (such as a password) for establishing access to an online account. In most cases, it’s a one-time verification code that you can receive on your registered phone number or email ID.
Instagram already offers two different ways through which you can receive the 2FA codes. You can choose the app to send the codes either through text message or on an external authentication app. Now it appears the company is working on a third method as well: via WhatsApp.
In this method, you’ll first have to add your WhatsApp number and verify it in the Instagram app. You can then start getting codes on WhatsApp whenever you try to access your Instagram account from an unrecognized device. Instagram says WhatsApp will not store any of your Instagram account information. So this will not link the two accounts for tailoring ads or any other such behavior.
Moreover, it will be completely optional to users. So if you have privacy concerns, you can choose to use the existing methods for receiving 2FA codes from Instagram. We recommend you use an authentication app such as Duo Mobile or Google Authenticator.
Instagram is working on the ability to receive 2FA codes via WhatsApp
It’s no secret that Facebook wants a deeper integration and interoperability between its various communication platforms – Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram. Cross-posting Instagram Stories to Facebook and the merger of Instagram direct messages with Messenger are some of the steps in this direction in recent times. Now, the company is working on yet another similar change to keep users within its app ecosystem.
It’s pertinent to mention here that this is an in-development feature. The final implementation may look different. There’s also no official confirmation that this feature is coming to Instagram anytime soon. Though, considering Paluzzi’s track record with such leaks, it should be safe to assume that Facebook is all set to further deepen the integration and interoperability between its apps. It now remains to been seen how well this change is received by users whenever it goes official.