WhatsApp is about to launch a new feature for its iOS users: the ability to associate an email address with your account.
This option, available with version 23.24.70 of the app, does not replace verification via SMS, but integrates it, offering an alternative in case of lack of cellular network.
How to set up email on WhatsApp (and what changes)
To activate the function, you need to go to the app Settings, then to Account and select “Email address”. Here you can enter the desired email, which will only be used for authentication and will not be visible to other contacts. This way, when you want to access WhatsApp from another device, you can choose whether to receive a verification code via SMS or via email.
This innovation makes accessing WhatsApp easier and safer, especially in situations where you are not able to receive messages on your phone number. Additionally, your email address may also be useful for account recovery if your phone is lost or stolen.
However, the email address does not change the fact that the phone number remains the main element to identify the WhatsApp account. At the moment, in fact, it is not possible to use a personalized username to communicate with other users, as happens on Telegram. However, according to the WABetaInfo site, WhatsApp developers are working on this feature, which could arrive in the future.