WhatsApp is expanding its testing of a dedicated encrypted cloud storage option for chat backups, now reaching the iOS platform after an earlier rollout on Android. According to reports from beta trackers, the feature appeared in version 26.28.10.16 of the WhatsApp iOS app, signaling steady progress toward giving users more control over where their conversation histories reside.
For years, Android users have relied on Google Drive for backups while iOS users turned to iCloud. These third-party solutions often leave encryption as an optional setting, which has drawn criticism from privacy advocates concerned about potential access by providers or authorities. WhatsApp’s alternative offers 2GB of free storage directly through its own servers, with end-to-end encryption enabled by default. Users can secure access using a passkey, password, or a lengthy 64-digit encryption key, providing a more consistent layer of protection without depending on external ecosystems.
The development reflects WhatsApp’s ongoing efforts to address backup limitations that have frustrated users since the app’s early days. Back in April, similar testing surfaced for Android, hinting at a broader strategy to reduce reliance on Google and Apple infrastructure. This move could appeal to those wary of how major tech firms handle metadata or comply with government data requests, especially in regions with varying privacy regulations. However, the free tier’s modest 2GB cap may prove insufficient for heavy users with media-rich histories, pushing many toward paid upgrades. A 50GB plan is reportedly under consideration at $0.99 per month, a relatively accessible price that still introduces a subscription dynamic into what was once a simpler free service.
Security remains a core selling point. Unlike current iCloud or Drive backups, where encryption can be toggled off, WhatsApp’s system prioritizes it natively. Switching away from the company’s cloud would be the only way to disable this protection, maintaining a higher baseline standard. This approach builds on WhatsApp’s long-standing commitment to end-to-end encryption for messages in transit, first widely implemented over a decade ago and later extended across Meta’s messaging portfolio. Yet challenges persist: cloud backups have historically been weak points in secure messaging, as seen in past incidents where lost keys rendered data inaccessible or third-party integrations exposed vulnerabilities.
For now, the feature is incomplete and targeted at beta testers before a wider release. Its arrival could shift user habits, particularly among those seeking greater independence from platform-specific clouds. Still, success will depend on reliability, transparent pricing, and whether the storage tiers meet everyday needs without feeling restrictive. In a landscape where messaging apps compete fiercely on privacy and convenience, this represents a pragmatic evolution rather than a radical departure, addressing real user pain points while navigating the tensions between usability and data sovereignty.
As development continues, observers will watch how integration works across devices and whether additional tiers emerge. The testing underscores WhatsApp’s responsiveness to feedback on backup limitations, even as broader questions linger about Meta’s overarching data practices.
