WhatsApp has introduced passkey protection for its end-to-end encrypted backups, further strengthening user privacy and data security across devices.
The new feature adds an extra authentication layer, ensuring that only verified users can access their encrypted chat histories when restoring data.
The update, which is rolling out gradually across Android and iOS devices, allows users to use biometric authentication or device-level PINs to unlock their encrypted cloud backups stored on Google Drive or iCloud.
“Many of us carry years of precious memories in our WhatsApp chats—photos, heartfelt voice notes, and important conversations,” WhatsApp said in its announcement. “That’s why protecting them if you ever lose your phone or need to transfer to a new device is so important.”
This move comes as part of WhatsApp’s broader effort to tighten security controls amid growing global concerns over data breaches and unauthorized access.
Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, said the passkey integration will help eliminate risks associated with weak passwords or stolen verification codes. By linking backup access to a user’s device credentials, the company aims to make account recovery both simpler and more secure.
