Aside from developing a way to transfer your chat history from Android to iOS, WhatsApp is reportedly to be working on bringing two-step verification to desktop users. According to WABetainfo, the feature will eventually be available to both its desktop app and web client.
Two-step verification protects your account in case you ever become a victim of SIM swapping. Once enabled, you will have to enter a six-digit PIN every time you log into WhatsApp from a mobile device, in addition to the six-digit registration code you receive via SMS.
From the screenshots posted by WABetaInfo, desktop users will be able to enable or disable two-step verification, change the PIN, and even the email address for resetting the PIN. Not only does this add an extra layer of security for your desktop WhatsApp account, it also makes account recovery for your phone easier in case you forgot your PIN and did not add a recovery email.
It is supposedly still under development, but WABetaInfo expects the feature to be rolled out in a future update. With WhatsApp already working on multi-device functionality, two-step verification seems to be a step in the right direction towards being able to use the messaging platform independent of your phone.
(Source: WABetaInfo)
