WhatsApp tests iPhone cloud backup alternative to iCloud with end-to-end encryption

WhatsApp is building its own cloud backup service for iPhone users, offering 2GB of free storage and end-to-end encryption by default as an alternative to iCloud.

References found in the latest TestFlight build of WhatsApp indicate that Meta is working on bringing an alternative to iCloud backups for iPhone users. Here are the details.

So basically, WhatsApp seems to be gearing up for a pretty big reshaping of how chat backup happens on iPhones. WABetaInfo claims the app is building its own iOS cloud backup provider, and that could cut down users’ dependence on Apple’s iCloud for saving chat history. If it actually launches, this would probably be one […]

WhatsApp is developing a first-party cloud storage option for chat backups on iPhone, providing users with an alternative to iCloud for the first time, according to app tinkerer WABetaInfo. Code found in the WhatsApp beta for iOS (version 26.28.10.16), available through TestFlight, suggests that users will eventually be able to pick their preferred backup destination directly from the app's chat backup settings. iCloud however will remain the default. The feature harks back to one that WABetaInfo spotted in development for Android back in April, which is set to give users on Google's platform a way to store backups off Google Drive. Under the plan, WhatsApp will reportedly include 2GB of free storage on its own servers, and there will be a 50GB tier priced at around $0.99 per month, similar to Apple's entry-level iCloud+ plan. There is also said to be a 1TB option in the works, although the tiers and pricing could always change before the backup feature goes live. Image: WABetaInfo Notably, backups kept on WhatsApp's servers will be protected by end-to-end encryption (E2EE) by default, with no way to switch encryption off. That's firmer protection than what is offered by iCloud backups, whose users must turn on encryption manually by enabling Advanced Data Protection (ADP). WhatsApp will reportedly recommend securing backups with a passkey, but a password or 64-digit key will also work. WABetaInfo says the feature is still in development and not yet working for beta testers, and WhatsApp hasn't yet stated when it plans to officially launch the backup alternative.Tag: WhatsAppThis article, "WhatsApp Beta Reveals iCloud Backup Alternative for iPhone" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

WhatsApp is developing its own cloud backup service for iPhone users, according to WABetaInfo. The feature was spotted in the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS and is expected to let users store chat backups on WhatsApp's servers instead of iCloud. The service could include 2GB of free storage with end-to-end encryption enabled by default. WhatsApp is also said to be testing paid storage plans, while a similar first-party backup service remains in development for Android users.

Back in April, we learned that WhatsApp was developing a feature that would let its Android users back up their WhatsApp chats on its own encrypted cloud storage. Now we hear that the Meta-owned company is testing this feature on iOS as well. This revelation comes from the folks at WABetaInfo, who discovered this development on beta version 26.28.10.16 of WhatsApp for iOS. Right now, Android users can back up their chats to Google Drive, while iOS users can back up theirs to iCloud. This new feature allows Android and iOS users to choose between Google Drive/iCloud and WhatsApp's cloud...