Explained: WhatsApp’s new automatic verification method, how it works and more – Times of India

WhatsApp has been rumoured to be working on an alternate verification method to authenticate users’ accounts on its platform. Now, WABetaInfo has confirmed that the Meta-owned instant messaging app is now rolling out the Flash calls feature on Android version of the app.
Flash calls are supposed to make WhatsApp users’ life easier and the process faster at the time of logging into the account.
So, the question here is what is Flash Calls and how it will help make the verification process faster on WhatsApp. Let us explain:
What are Flash Calls and how it works
Flash Calls is WhatsApp’s new automatic authentication process that allows users to log into their WhatsApp account without manually entering the six-digit OTP received via SMS or call.
The process is almost automatic and the verification process is also almost instantaneous. Until now, WhatsApp used to send a six-digit code via SMS or via call after entering the phone number at the setup screen.
With the new Flash calls verification method, neither WhatsApp will send the verification code nor users will need to enter it. As a part of the feature, WhatsApp users will receive a short call sort of a missed call from WhatsApp and using that WhatsApp will authenticate the users’ account and allow them to log in almost immediately.
Basically, users will receive a call from WhatsApp and then the call will automatically get disconnected. It is important to note that the missed call notification will be there in the call history.
Things you’ll need to make this feature work
Usually, we give WhatsApp a lot of permissions such as location, call and SMS access, storage access, etc. For the Flash calls verification feature to work, users will also need to provide access to their call log. So that WhatsApp can verify your phone number and let you log into the account.
Why only the Android version of WhatsApp is getting this new feature?
As per the reports, the Flash Calls feature will be available only on the Android version of the app. That’s not because WhatsApp has decided to offer the feature only on Android, it’s because Apple does not allow public API for apps on iOS which limit apps’ ability to access call log on the iPhone.