What’s that ‘set your PIN’ WhatsApp message? 

If you’ve picked up your phone lately and found a message from WhatsApp urging you to ‘Set your PIN’, you’re not alone. You might have even rolled your eyeballs and mumbled something about the endless stream of scams before reaching for the delete button.

We’ve all become a little cynical haven’t you? Inboxes are inundated with phishing, suspicious offers and dodgy hyperlinks. For once, it’s not a scam.

Is it safe to send a message from WhatsApp?

The majority of us are trained to treat anything unexpected or new in our messages as a cause for concern. It’s a sign of the times—digital pickpockets and cyber crooks seem to be lurking around every virtual corner.

When WhatsApp sent out an alert (complete with video) recommending users set up a pin for “an added layer of protection”, many people hesitated. Many deleted the message at first sight. Others forwarded it on to their tech-savvy friends.

What is the good news? The message this time is genuine. WhatsApp is behind the move, which aims to make your photos, chats and groups safer.

What is a PIN all about?

WhatsApp’s “PIN”, which is six-digits long, is actually a code that you can set up yourself. It’s a key part of what’s known as “two-step verification”—a feature that adds a second lock on your digital door. WhatsApp will still ask you for your PIN every now and then to verify that it is really you.

Why now? As online scams become more sophisticated, it is easier for fraudsters than ever to obtain your number. Maybe your SIM gets hijacked, maybe you get tricked into sharing a code—whatever the method, once they have your number, they could try to steal your account. The PIN is your last line of defense. It’s the last line of defence.

It is easy to set up.

Here’s what you need to do if you decide it’s worthwhile playing along (it will take less than one minute):

1. Open WhatsApp. Tap on Settings (bottom-right) and Account.
2. Double-click on the Two-step Verification and click Activate.
3. Set a six-digit pin that you can remember. It’s not your birthday or 123456. Or maybe it’s not the year your football team won its first championship.
4. Add your email address. Trust us—if you forget your PIN, this is how you’ll get back in.

That’s all. There’s no need to download anything extra, and you won’t be giving out any private information. Just a simple way to protect your WhatsApp conversations.

This is not a scam, but just good security.

This is not a hoax. It may have been unexpected, but the message is from WhatsApp’s headquarters. You can ignore it and your app will continue to work as normal. A PIN is a good way to keep your chats secure in an age where online scammers are becoming more clever.

And if you do forget your PIN…

Don’t panic. If you lose your memory, you can still reset your pin using the email address you entered. It’s an easy way to add an extra layer of protection without stress.

Next time you receive a message from WhatsApp asking for a PIN to set up, take a deep breath. No one’s after your money or your secrets—at least, not this time. WhatsApp actually does us a favor. Follow the steps in two minutes and you will be one step ahead.

You can also teach your friends or parents how to use it if you are the family techie. You will be doing them a favor.