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WhatsApp chats are encrypted but backups need special keys which is gradually changing to passkey for users.
Passkey will allow you to encrypt chat backups on WhatsApp
WhatsApp offers end-to-end encryption for chats, calls and even the files you transfer. The messaging app offers encryption security for chat backups as well but now the platform is making it easy to secure these messages and content with the help of passkeys.
These are the go-to mode for a password-less digital account and WhatsApp is allowing people to use the feature to secure their chat backups. Using passkey for encrypted chat backups means you can simply use the fingerprint sensor or Face ID and have the content secure.
WhatsApp Chat Backups Encrypted Using Passkey: How It Works
Before this, WhatsApp needed you to set up a password or a 64-digit encryption key to encrypt the backup chats which is not the easiest to do for all users. So, bringing passkeys to set up protection for the chats and content backed up on WhatsApp gives more people to actually use the security option without being worried about getting locked out.
WhatsApp is bringing the support of passkeys over the coming weeks and months, and you will notice the changes available within the settings of the messaging app on your device. Once the feature is available for your WhatsApp account you can do the following and enable encryption for back up chats:
- Open WhatsApp
- Click on the three-dot menu or profile icon
- Go to Settings
- Scroll down to Chats
- Tap on Chat Backup
- Click on End-to-end encrypted backup to turn on the feature
- You will get the option to choose the passkey as the default choice to encrypt backup chats
Having this security feature allows more users to backup their chats on Google cloud and save their content.
WhatsApp users will soon have a smarter way of managing the storage of their chats and media files. The platform is testing a new option where you can individually check for storage that each chat on your account is taking. All this while, the messaging app has given a consolidated way to access and manage storage which is helpful but doesn’t give you broader details about which files are taking bulk of the storage.
S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr…Read More
S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr… Read More
Delhi, India, India
October 31, 2025, 14:39 IST
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