WhatsApp is in the process of developing a new feature that will enable iPhone users to back up their chats, photos, videos, and documents directly to WhatsApp’s cloud storage. This new option aims to provide an alternative to the current reliance on Apple’s iCloud for backup services.
As part of this initiative, users will be offered 2GB of free cloud storage for their chat backups. For those who require more space, WhatsApp is reportedly planning to introduce paid storage plans. These plans are expected to start with an entry-level option of 50GB, with additional higher-capacity plans also being explored to meet varying user needs.
This forthcoming feature is expected to be optional, allowing iPhone users to continue using iCloud as their default backup service if they prefer. Users who decide to switch to WhatsApp’s cloud storage will retain the flexibility to revert back to iCloud whenever they wish. Importantly, the new backup service is anticipated to include end-to-end encryption by default, ensuring that all backup data remains securely protected.
The development of this feature is currently underway, with testing being conducted via Apple’s TestFlight platform. As of now, there is no specific timeline for when this feature will be available to the public. In addition to this, reports indicate that WhatsApp is also working on introducing a similar cloud backup solution for Android users, broadening the scope of this new storage option.