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Instant Verification

December 20, 2016ByEthan Goldman-Kirst

Account Kit is a Facebook-powered phone number and email login solution that is a complementary product to Facebook Login. Earlier this year we shared some of the positive results from developers who have implemented it to their apps, and as we continue to evolve the product, we're launching a new instant verification component that is available in the newer Facebook SDKs for Android.

Instant verification is the result of trying to streamline the login process and rely less on SMS for those signing in with their phone number. When a person enters his/her phone number into an app using Account Kit, via Android services, we attempt a match with the verified phone number listed on the person's Facebook profile. This is only possible if the person is logged into the Facebook app on the same device. If there is a match, we can complete the verification without sending a one-time password (OTP) via SMS, making the sign-in flow more seamless. If there isn't a successful match, a SMS will be sent with a verification code to complete the sign-in. This feature is used only to improve the verification process in a secure way and no additional Facebook information is shared with the app.

Early Partner Feedback

Initial tests show that people entering an app through the instant verification flow have a 97% conversion rate.

Familonet is an app that helps people stay safe by letting them share their location with friends and family in real-time. Account Kit phone number login increased their registrations by 40%. Recent implementation of instant verification lifted their conversion rates by 5%, and this continues to rise.

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“Account Kit has allowed us to replace the complex service architecture we originally built for SMS-based phone number verification with a one-stop solution. Now, with instant verification the experience for users is more seamless and we’ve already seen a lift in conversion rates for registrations.” — David Nellessen, Co-Founder and CTO at Familonet.

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We believe this update will make signing in with phone number faster and easier, especially for people in areas of the world where SMS delivery is not reliable You can take advantage of the new feature by integrating the new Facebook SDK for your apps or sites using Account Kit.