WhatsApp Reportedly Working on Native Cloud Backup with Default End-to-End Encryption

All this while, WhatsApp users on Android and iOS had the option to back up their chats to Google Drive and iCloud. While it has been useful for WhatsApp users out there, the issue around backups eating up cloud storage has always been there.

Well, Meta is fixing exactly that, as the company is developing a first-party cloud backup for WhatsApp. That’s according to a report by WABetaInfo, hinting that Meta is looking to reduce reliance on third-party cloud services.

WhatsApp is developing its own chat backup system, moving away from Google Drive and iCloud

The in-development feature would let users choose between existing cloud providers or WhatsApp’s own storage. If selected, WhatsApp could offer around 2GB of free storage for chat backups. It may not sound like much, but it does create a separate space that doesn’t interfere with your main cloud quota.

Notably, backups stored on WhatsApp’s cloud will reportedly be end-to-end encrypted by default. Users may also get multiple protection options, including passkeys, passwords, or a 64-digit encryption key. Passkeys, in particular, could simplify things. Rather than remembering complex credentials, users can rely on device-based authentication like fingerprint or face unlock.

Paid storage tipped, rollout still unclear

Speaking of storage limits, 2GB likely won’t cut it for heavy users. The news outlet further hints that WhatsApp may introduce a 50GB paid tier priced at around $0.99, though that figure isn’t final yet. It’s also unclear whether the free storage will be available to all users or be part of a future subscription tier.

As of now, the feature is still under development and is expected to roll out in phases. Speaking of new features, let’s not forget that WhatsApp is also testing a premium subscription with a major focus on customization.