Unable to log in to WhatsApp Web due to incorrect security key prompt

Brave Browser
1

Description of the issue:

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I am experiencing an issue while trying to log in to WhatsApp Web.

When I attempt to access WhatsApp Web, I first see a message saying:
“Quick security check with a passkey” and I click “Continue”.

After that, a Windows Security prompt appears asking me to:
“Insert your security key into the USB port.”

However, I do not have a USB security key. Because of this, I am unable to proceed and cannot access WhatsApp Web.

I was expecting to verify my login using my phone (QR code or mobile confirmation), but instead I am blocked by this security key requirement.

This issue occurs while using the Brave browser.

Please advise how I can bypass this and log in using my phone instead.

Thank you.

Steps to Reproduce (add as many as necessary): 1. 2. 3.

Actual Result (gifs and screenshots are welcome!):

Expected result:

Reproduces how often:

Operating System and Brave Version(See the About Brave page in the main menu):

Additional Information:

2

@Ipekj

Please edit your Original Post (“OP”) above, in order to include:

  • Brave Browser version number
  • Operating System version numbers
  • Mobile phone details

Re your first pop-up window (Turkish language): What this tells you:

  • Brave is correctly passing the login request
  • Windows is intercepting it and trying to authenticate via passkey / security key (WebAuthn)
  • The system believes a hardware security key is the expected method

That’s why you never see the QR code from WhatsApp Web. See my next reply …

3

@Ipekj

ChatGPT response → “What’s happening is:”

  • When you click “Quick security check with a passkey,” the site triggers Windows’ built-in authentication via Windows Security
  • Your system is set up (or partially set up) to expect a hardware security key (USB), so it asks for one
  • Since you don’t have one, you get stuck instead of falling back to QR login

How to fix / bypass it

Option 1 - Go back and choose QR login (simplest)

  1. Return to the WhatsApp Web page
  2. Look for:
  • “Link with phone”
  • “Log in with QR code”
  • or “Use phone instead”
  1. Scan the QR code from your phone:
  • Open WhatsApp → Menu → Linked devices → Link a device

If you don’t see the QR option, try the next steps.

Option 2 - Cancel the passkey prompt
When the Windows Security popup appears:

  • Click Cancel
  • This should return you to a screen where alternative login methods (QR) are available

Option 3 - Clear saved passkey preference
Sometimes the browser auto-selects passkeys.

In Brave:

  1. Go to Settings → Privacy and Security → Site and Shields Settings
  2. Look for Passkeys / Security keys / WebAuthn settings
  3. Remove any saved credentials for WhatsApp (if present)

You can also:

  • Clear cookies for web.whatsapp.com
  • Reload the page

Option 4 - Use a private window
Open a Private Window in Brave and go to WhatsApp Web again.
This often resets the login method back to QR.

Option 5 - Try another browser once
Open Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge:

  • Go to WhatsApp Web
  • Confirm the QR flow works
  • Then return to Brave after clearing its session data

Yubikey info for anybody interested:

‘https://www.yubico.com/works-with-yubikey/catalog/brave/’

‘https://www.yubico.com/products/identifying-your-yubikey/’