WhatsApp working on email address verification, available to beta testers

WhatsApp email verification

• The new feature is available with WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.24.10 update. But if you're on versions 2.23.24.8 and 2.23.24.9, you might just get the feature, according to WABetaInfo.
• There's now a new section on WhatsApp that lets you add your email address. It's mentioned here that your email can be used to access your account. You will have to first verify the email address that you're using for your WhatsApp account.
• If you're on the beta version of WhatsApp, you can check by going to Settings > Account > Email Address.

There are certain things to note though about using email as a verification method. WABetaInfo explains that you will still need your phone number to create a new WhatsApp account. So this option still remains and "your phone remains the unique identifier for your account."

Email address will act as an alternative option to access your WhatsApp account. So with email address, you get an additional layer of security for your WhatsApp account. This feature is currently available to beta testers on Android. Since it's already on public beta, WhatsApp is expected to roll it out to everyone soon. 

If you're interested to try this feature and other unreleased features, you can join WhatsApp's beta programme. 

WhatsApp is also working on an alternate profile option that will let you keep a different profile photo and display name. You can keep this alternate profile visible for a separate audience, and keep the primary profile only for a select group of people. This is only an alternate profile and not a different WhatsApp account.