WhatsApp is stepping up its security game once again. The Meta-owned messaging giant has announced a new feature that lets users secure their chat backups using passkeys, eliminating the need to remember long passwords or 64-digit encryption codes.
With this update, users can now encrypt and restore their WhatsApp backups on any device using their biometric authentication — such as Face ID, fingerprint, or even their device’s screen lock code. This makes it much simpler and faster to protect and recover chat history in case of phone loss, damage, or switching to a new device.
Previously, WhatsApp’s end-to-end encrypted backup feature, launched in 2021, required users to manually store an encryption key or password. That method, while secure, wasn’t user-friendly and often led to people losing access to their backups.
The introduction of passkey support removes that friction entirely. Once enabled, your phone’s built-in authentication system becomes the key — allowing quick, secure access without extra steps or complicated passwords.
According to WhatsApp, the feature is being rolled out gradually to Android and iOS users worldwide. The company confirmed this through its official announcement, saying:
“Many of us carry years of precious memories in our WhatsApp chats – photos, heartfelt voice notes, and important conversations. Protecting them if you ever lose your phone or need to transfer to a new device is so important.”
The rollout marks WhatsApp’s latest move toward a passwordless future, continuing the company’s broader effort to integrate passkeys across its platform after adding them for account logins in 2023.
To set up this feature, users can head to:
Settings → Chats → Chat Backup → End-to-end Encrypted Backup → Use Passkey.
From there, simply follow the prompts to link the encryption process with your biometric or device security option.
WhatsApp’s official statement on the update can be read on its blog post.
This latest addition not only simplifies how users safeguard their private conversations but also underscores WhatsApp’s ongoing commitment to combining strong encryption with everyday usability — an essential balance in today’s digital privacy landscape.
