By Tim Hardwick
WeChat is introducing password support for its iOS app, allowing users outside of China to sign in to the country's dominant messaging platform using Face ID, Touch ID, or their device passcode instead of traditional passwords.
Apple introduced passwords in iOS 16 to give users a more secure and convenient authentication method than entering a password. Passwords provide increased security by reducing common risks associated with traditional passwords, such as phishing attacks and credential theft. Because authentication happens directly on the user’s device using biometrics or a device passcode, there are no passwords to compromise or intercept.
To set up a password, WeChat users need an iPhone or iPad running iOS 16 or iPadOS 16 or later with iCloud Keychain and two-factor authentication enabled for their Apple account. Users can enable the feature through WeChat’s account and security settings, according to a new WeChat support document.
Tencent-owned WeChat joins a growing list of major platforms that have adopted the password technology, including Google, PayPal, Microsoft, and TikTok. On WeChat, the feature is currently limited to users outside of China, and there is no word on when or if it will be expanded to the domestic Chinese version of the app.
Tags: Passwords, WeChat[ 16 comments ]
