WhatsApp is working on a new feature for iPhone users that would allow them to store chat backups directly on WhatsApp’s cloud service, rather than using Apple’s iCloud. This development is aimed at providing users with an alternative method for backing up their chats, photos, videos, and documents.
The proposed feature is expected to offer 2GB of free cloud storage for chat backups, with the option for users to expand this storage through paid plans. Reports indicate that an entry-level paid option might offer 50GB of storage, and further plans with larger storage capacities are in the works. The new backup option will be optional, allowing users to continue using iCloud as the default service if they prefer.
Importantly, WhatsApp’s cloud storage solution is expected to come with end-to-end encryption enabled by default. This means that backup data will remain securely protected from unauthorized access, maintaining the privacy and security of user information.
Currently, this feature is being tested through Apple’s TestFlight platform, though no official release date has been announced yet. Meanwhile, WhatsApp is reportedly also developing a similar cloud backup option for Android users, indicating a broader rollout of this feature across different operating systems in the future.