WhatsApp has rolled out a new feature that allows users to secure their chat backups using passkeys. This means users can now rely on their phone’s fingerprint, face recognition, or screen lock to protect their backups, instead of setting a password or storing a long encryption key. The update aims to make privacy protection easier while continuing to support end to end encryption for messages and calls.
Earlier, users who enabled encrypted backups on Google Drive or iCloud had to remember a password or store a 64 digit encryption key. The new system connects backup security directly to the device’s authentication method. This lets users restore chats with a simple tap or scan, even when switching to a new phone. WhatsApp says this keeps personal data private, even if the device is lost or replaced.
The feature is being rolled out gradually, and users will receive it over the coming weeks. To enable the passkey option, users can go to Settings, then Chats, then Chat backup, and finally select End to end encrypted backup.
WhatsApp states that its encryption system ensures that messages and calls are visible only to the sender and the receiver. Each message is protected with a unique digital key. The company itself cannot read chats or listen to calls, and users do not need to take any extra steps to activate this security.
WhatsApp Chats with business accounts are also protected by the same encryption protocol before they leave the sender’s device. However, how those messages are handled after they reach the business depends on the business’s own privacy and data policies. In some cases, business staff or vendors may view or respond to messages, and some companies may use the chat data for marketing or advertising on Meta platforms.
By introducing passkey based backup protection, WhatsApp aims to make security simpler and more convenient. The update reduces the need to remember complex passwords and ensures that older chats, photos, and voice messages remain protected in a more user friendly way.
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