Facebook's new Account Kit SDK less dependent on SMS-based verification process

Facebook’s newly launched login system would enable easy login for its users and ad partners. The system developed is only available for the Android platform and is a part of its Login Account Kit. The developer Account Kit SDK will allow you to skip the SMS verification step involved in its two-factor authentication. Instead it has came up with an instant verification solution enabling you to sign in directly from your mobile number.

Alongside making the signing process faster, the feature is highly beneficial in areas where SMS service doesn’t work well. Under the instant verification method when you’ll try to access Facebook login onto a third-party app via your mobile number, Facebook will verify you by matching the entered number with verified mobile number saved in your Facebook profile. If there is a match, you’ll be granted an instant access, while if the match is incorrect, an One Time Password (OTP) would be sent to your mobile for verification.

Facebook made the news of the SDK release public via its developer blog, explaining the process as under:

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.

Facebook expects that instant verification would increase conversion rates for third party apps. It presents the example of Familonet whose conversion rates lifted by 5% with a 40% increase in registration post release of new system. The login kit will also boost up the sales of app install ads and share to Facebook feature for the platform.