WhatsApp adds support for Pixel 8 and 8 Pro face unlock

Abner Li | Apr 24 2024 - 5:16 pm PT

On the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, face unlock can authenticate tap-to-pay, banking apps, and now WhatsApp.

The “App lock” security feature in WhatsApp requires biometric authentication before showing your messages. Previously, Pixel 8 and 8 Pro owners could only use their fingerprint (or PIN) to unlock.

WhatsApp has now rolled out support for face unlock. Upon launching the app, the system face unlock sheet appears at the bottom of the screen, while you also get a ring around the front-facing camera.

If your face isn’t visible, it will fallback to the fingerprint prompt after a few seconds. With this update, the “WhatsApp Locked” screen also sees some visual tweaks:

Old vs. new

Face Unlock on the Pixel 8 series meets Android’s highest biometric standard level (Class 3). Google credited Tensor G3 and advanced ML algorithms as making this possible.

We’re seeing face unlock support on the Pixel 8 rolled out with version 2.24.8.85 (stable) of WhatsApp, but there’s also a server-side component. The app recently introduced a bottom bar (tall Material 3 style with pill-shaped tab indicators) and a redesigned app bar where the search field appears underneath. It’s quite nice and greatly modernizes WhatsApp on Android.