WhatsApp has introduced a new security enhancement that enables users to protect their end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) chat backups using passkeys. This feature offers a more secure and user-friendly alternative to passwords for accessing backups stored in cloud platforms like Google Drive and Apple iCloud.
The rollout marks a significant advancement in WhatsApp’s ongoing efforts to strengthen user privacy and make encryption more accessible for everyday users.
Enhanced Security and Convenience
Until now, WhatsApp’s encrypted chat backup system relied on either a 64-character encryption key or a manually created password. While effective, these methods often posed challenges – users risked losing access if they forgot their keys or stored them insecurely.
The new passkey system eliminates this problem by using a phone’s biometric authentication or screen lock to verify identity. This means users can unlock their chat backups with a fingerprint, facial scan, or device PIN, without ever needing to remember or type in a lengthy encryption key.
According to WhatsApp, passkeys offer both stronger protection and greater convenience, as they’re generated and stored locally on the user’s device rather than on remote servers, making them nearly impossible to steal through phishing or data breaches.
How It Works
When setting up an end-to-end encrypted backup, users will now see a new option to “Use Passkey” instead of creating a password. Once enabled, the passkey is securely linked to the user’s device through the existing authentication system.
If a user switches to a new phone or reinstalls WhatsApp, they’ll simply confirm their identity via the same biometric method or screen lock used on their account. The passkey acts as a digital cryptographic token that confirms ownership – removing the need for manual password entry entirely.
This streamlined process ensures that security remains seamless, without compromising WhatsApp’s hallmark end-to-end encryption.
Global Rollout and Availability
The passkey feature officially began rolling out on October 30, 2025, and is expected to reach all users worldwide within the coming weeks. Both Android and iOS users can activate it through the app by navigating to:
Settings → Chats → Chat Backup.
Once there, users can enable end-to-end encrypted backups and select Passkey as their preferred security method. WhatsApp recommends keeping biometric authentication turned on for the best experience and maximum protection.
Significance and Context
This move reflects a larger industry-wide shift toward passwordless authentication, a security model championed by major tech firms like Google, Apple, and Microsoft. Passkeys use public-key cryptography, which makes them phishing-resistant and immune to many of the vulnerabilities that plague traditional passwords.
For WhatsApp, this feature closes one of the few remaining gaps in its encryption ecosystem. With passkeys now securing chat backups, nearly every aspect of user communication from messages to call history is protected with state-of-the-art, device-based cryptography.
By adopting this next-generation authentication method, WhatsApp is reaffirming its commitment to user privacy, data protection, and the future of secure digital communication.
Conclusion
The introduction of passkey support for encrypted chat backups is a pivotal moment for WhatsApp’s privacy architecture. By combining end-to-end encryption with passwordless security, the platform offers users stronger protection without adding complexity.
As tech companies increasingly move toward a password-free future, WhatsApp’s latest update positions it at the forefront of secure messaging innovation – ensuring users’ personal conversations and memories remain truly private.
