WhatsApp Enhancesโ Backup Security with Global Passkey Rollout, Ditchingโฃ Complex โCodes forโข Biometrics
WhatsApp is rolling out a new system for securing โcloud backups globally, replacing theโ previously used 64-digit keyโ with a more user-kind passkey system linked to โคdevice biometrics. This update allows users to utilize Touch ID or Face ID toโ safeguard their chat โhistory, considerably improving both security and ease of use.
The change builds upon WhatsApp’sโ existing end-to-end encrypted backup feature, introduced โคin 2021, which offeredโ strong securityโค but presented challenges due toโค the โคdifficulty of securely storing and managing the lengthy key.โฃ Passkeys address this issue by keeping the private cryptographic key securely storedโ on the user’s device. Authentication is then performedโ locally using fingerprint or facial recognition, โคoffering enhanced protection against remote attacks and a smoother restoration processโ when switching phones.
This moveโข alignsโค with a broader industry trend towards โฃpasskey adoption, aiming โคtoโ simplify security for a vast number of users and โmake robust โdata protection โฃtheโฃ standard. According to โคReuters, the goal is to make strong security the most convenient option.
For WhatsApp’s โbillions of users, this update eliminates theโ need toโค remember another complex password. The โคtechnical hurdles to enabling fullyโ encryptedโฃ backupsโ are now substantially reduced. Security experts have consistently advocated for this type of user-centric advancement.
To enable the new feature, users willโ navigate โฃto โSettings > Chats > Chat โขBackup within theโ WhatsApp application and select theโ End-to-end โencrypted backup โฃoption. Backups will continue to be stored on iCloud for iPhone users โขand โGoogle Drive for Android users, but will now โbe secured with โa passkey.
Thisโข rollout follows โWhatsApp’s earlier integration of passkey support forโข accountโ authentication in 2023, โฃdemonstrating meta’s commitment โto a passwordless โฃfuture โacross its services.
The globalโข deployment of WhatsApp passkey backups represents aโ major advancement in making mainstream, accessible encryption a reality for personal data.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What โisโฃ a WhatsApp passkey โขbackup? It’s a new method for securing your cloudโ chat backups using yourโ device’s biometrics (fingerprint or โface scan) instead ofโ a 64-digitโข code, ensuring only you can access โyour backup.
How do I enable passkey backups? โคGo to WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chat Backup and โselect End-to-end encrypted backup,โ then follow the on-screen instructions. Theโค feature will become available in the โฃapp over the coming โขweeks.
Where are my backups stored? Your backups remainโ in the same location: iCloud forโค iPhone usersโ and Googleโ Drive for Android users. The passkey simply changes how the data is encrypted and unlocked, not where it’s stored.
Is this more secure than the previous โmethod? Yes. Passkeys leverage your device’s secure hardware, and the โฃprivate key never leaves your phone, mitigating the risk of โขlosingโฃ or having the 64-digit key compromised.
What if โฃI lose my โคphone? โฃ You can still recover your backup on a โฃnewโค device. The recovery โคprocess willโค require authentication usingโ the passkey, tied toโข your biometrics, on your new device.