WhatsApp Finally Testing Encrypted Cloud Backups for iOS

WhatsApp Tests New Encrypted Cloud Storage for iOS Users

If you’ve ever felt limited by relying solely on iCloud or Google Drive for your WhatsApp backups, you might soon have a third option. Following initial reports back in April about encrypted cloud storage testing on Android, WhatsApp is now expanding its efforts to iOS, according to the eagle-eyed team at WABetaInfo.

Currently, iPhone users are tethered to iCloud for their chat history backups, while Android users rely on Google Drive. The upcoming update looks set to change that by introducing WhatsApp’s own proprietary cloud storage solution. The best part? It comes with 2GB of free space right out of the gate.

What You Need to Know About the Upcoming Backup Option

More Choices: You’ll be able to toggle between your standard cloud provider and WhatsApp’s dedicated storage.
Premium Tiers: While 2GB is free, rumors suggest a paid 50GB plan is in the works for just $0.99 per month.
Top-Tier Security: Security is clearly the priority here. Backups stored in WhatsApp’s cloud will be end-to-end encrypted by default. You’ll be able to secure your data with a personal password, a passkey, or a 64-digit encryption key.

It is important to note that while end-to-end encryption is currently optional for Google Drive and iCloud backups, WhatsApp’s new solution mandates it. If you prefer to keep your backups unencrypted for ease of recovery, you will need to stick with your current iCloud or Google Drive setup.

As of now, the feature is still in the early development phase on the iOS beta channel. There isn’t a confirmed public release date yet, but it’s clear that Meta is doubling down on making your private conversations even harder for outsiders to intercept. We’ll be keeping a close eye on the beta releases as this feature nears a wider rollout.