WhatsApp rolls out passkey encryption for chat backups, here’s how it works

WhatsApp is introducing passkey-encrypted backups for iOS and Android users, allowing them to secure their chat history using fingerprints, facial recognition, or device screen locks instead of passwords.

The feature eliminates the need to memorize cumbersome 64-digit encryption keys, making backup protection more accessible through a simple tap or glance.How WhatsApp’s passkey encrypted chat backup worksWhatsApp first introduced end-to-end encrypted backups in 2021, becoming the first major messaging platform to offer this level of protection for stored messages. However, the original implementation required users to either create a password or save a 64-digit encryption key—a barrier that many found difficult to manage when restoring backups after losing their device.

Passkeys solve this problem by leveraging biometric authentication systems already built into smartphones.

Users can enable the feature by navigating toSettings > Chats > Chat backup > End-to-end encrypted backup.The encrypted chat backup ensures that neither WhatsApp nor backup service providers like Google Drive or iCloud can access users' encrypted chat histories. The update will roll out gradually over the coming weeks and months. "Many of us carry years of precious memories in our WhatsApp chats," the company stated, emphasizing the importance of protecting photos, voice notes, and conversations when transferring to new devices or recovering from phone loss.