WhatsApp, the widely used messaging platform owned by Meta, is bolstering its security infrastructure by introducing support for passkey-encrypted backups on both Android and iOS devices. This new feature allows users to lock and encrypt their entire chat history using device-native biometric or screen lock credentials — strengthening end-to-end protection across cloud storage services.
WhatsApp’s Passkey Upgrade Brings Cloud-level Backup Security
The latest release marks a proactive shift in messaging privacy, closing the gap between secure in-transit communication and cloud-based data resilience. While WhatsApp already offered end-to-end encryption for messages since 2016, storage of backups in the cloud — either via Google Drive or Apple’s iCloud — remained a weak link until recently.
With this rollout, users can now rely on passkeys to secure backups using their fingerprint, face recognition, or the device’s screen lock. This ensures that backups, once stored in the cloud, are fully encrypted and can only be decrypted by the user’s personal authentication method — keeping even WhatsApp and the cloud service providers unable to access the content.
Enhancing Existing End-to-End Encryption Models
End-to-end encryption (E2EE) is the foundation of WhatsApp’s security model. However, when users traditionally backed up chat data to cloud services, those backups were not always encrypted by default, making them potential targets for cyberattacks, particularly in jurisdictions with weaker cloud data regulation.
The implementation of passkey backup encryption aligns with the broader push across the tech industry — led by Apple, Google, and FIDO Alliance — to implement phishing-resistant and biometric-based login systems. These replacement credentials utilize asymmetric cryptography on-device, essentially eliminating the need for users to remember passwords or save recovery keys offline.
“Adding passkey support for chat backups is a critical evolution in securing user data across platforms,” a Meta spokesperson stated regarding the update.
How the WhatsApp Passkey Backup System Works
Under the hood, the passkey-encrypted backup system generates a cryptographic key pair on the user’s device:
- The private key is stored securely within the device’s secure enclave or trusted execution environment
- The public key is stored on WhatsApp’s servers for authentication
- Biometric or screen-lock verification (such as Face ID or fingerprint) is required to release the private key and access the backup
This system prevents brute-force attempts or recovery without user consent. If passkeys are lost — for example, if the device is wiped or reset without backing up the private key — the encrypted backup becomes inaccessible, emphasizing the irreversible nature of this encryption model.
Enterprise and User Privacy Benefits From Passkey Encryption
The adoption of passkey-secured backups offers notable benefits in both enterprise and individual settings. For organizations using WhatsApp Business, reducing the surface area of potential data breaches is critical to compliance with international privacy regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
User Autonomy and Device-Level Protection Have Increased
Consumers now gain more control over their data. Because decryption is bound to physical biometrics or user-defined screen credentials, this implementation removes the risk associated with cloud credentials being phished, stolen, or socially engineered.
With platforms like Telegram and Signal also expanding their encrypted backup options, the competition over secure messaging ecosystems continues to escalate — with Meta signaling that it will continue to prioritize platform-native authentication.
“This update represents one step forward in aligning WhatsApp with a zero-trust security architecture,” said a security analyst familiar with the development.
What Security Professionals Should Monitor Going Forward
While WhatsApp’s rollout of passkey-encrypted backups is a welcome improvement, cybersecurity professionals should remain vigilant of potential blind spots or operational hiccups with recovery scenarios and interoperability.
Key areas to watch include:
- Device Loss Recovery : Ensuring that users are adequately informed about the irrecoverable consequences of losing access to their biometric credentials or screen lock.
- Backward Compatibility : Verifying how legacy devices or OS versions handle the transition to passkey-based authentication.
- Enterprise Policy Integration : Observing whether Mobile Device Management (MDM) platforms can incorporate passkey-enabled apps into policy configurations or data recovery modules.
The new rollout is in various stages of global distribution and will reach all users over the coming weeks, according to Meta.
A Step Toward Passwordless, Encrypted Communication
This update not only protects historical chat archives but also signals a long-term strategy toward eliminating traditional authentication weaknesses. By embedding backup decryption within biometric and device-native credentials, WhatsApp locks down one of its last remaining vulnerabilities in the encryption chain.
For CISOs and privacy advocates, the integration of secure passkey backup encryption across mobile messaging platforms represents a meaningful stride in elevating digital trust and data stewardship in a mobile-first era. As cloud dependencies deepen, securing data at rest will be as critical as data in motion — and WhatsApp’s passkey solution is a major stride toward holistic encryption.
