WhatsApp is leveling up its security game with a new update that brings passkey protection to your chat backups.
Passkey encryption comes to WhatsApp backups
The company just announced that it’s rolling out support for passkey-encrypted backups – meaning you can now use your fingerprint, face, or phone’s screen lock code to secure your WhatsApp backups. No more typing or remembering a long password or, worse, that 64-digit encryption key.
Now, a quick tap or glance is all it takes. The same level of security that already keeps your personal chats and calls protected is now extended to your backups, making sure they stay private, secure, and always accessible.
The rollout will happen gradually over the next few weeks and months, so if you don’t see it yet, just hang tight. When it does reach you, head to:
Settings
Chats
Chat backup
End-to-end encrypted backup
A smart move in a world of smarter attacks
Passkeys are easy to create and safe. | Image by WhatsApp
With online attacks becoming more sophisticated, app security needs to evolve too – and this is exactly the kind of move we like to see from WhatsApp. The platform is already known for its strong privacy standards, but keeping that reputation means constantly staying one step ahead of potential threats.
Did you ever skip WhatsApp’s old encrypted backup because of the long password or 64-digit key?
Yep, way too complicated.
75%
I tried it but gave up.
0%
Nope, I actually used it.
25%
I didn’t even know that feature existed.
0%
Small update, big impact
This might sound like a small update, but it’s actually a pretty big deal. Many users avoided encrypting their chats before because it required yet another password to remember. With passkeys, it’s now effortless – and that’s how good security should feel: simple and strong.
Honestly, I love updates like this. If it makes my data safer and easier to protect, bring it on.
And speaking of updates – WhatsApp has been busy lately. Just a few months after finally arriving on iPad, it’s now expected to launch on Apple Watch, too. Plus, another new feature is coming to help you manage your storage without wiping out all your chat history. Soon, you’ll be able to delete large files individually, so you can clear space without losing everything.
Tsveta, a passionate technology enthusiast and accomplished playwright, combines her love for mobile technologies and writing to explore and reveal the transformative power of tech. From being an early follower of PhoneArena to relying exclusively on her smartphone for photography, she embraces the immense capabilities of compact devices in our daily lives. With a Journalism degree and an explorative spirit, Tsveta not only provides expert insights into the world of gadgets and smartphones but also shares a unique perspective shaped by her diverse interests in travel, culture, and visual storytelling.
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