WhatsApp is developing a new cloud backup feature for iOS that would allow users to store chat history on its own servers rather than relying exclusively on Apple’s iCloud. The system, currently in testing, includes end-to-end encryption and potential paid storage tiers, marking a significant shift in how the platform manages user data.
New Infrastructure for Chat Backups
WhatsApp appears to be moving toward a more platform-agnostic approach to data storage. According to reporting from WABetaInfo, code discovered in the WhatsApp iOS beta version 26.28.10.16 suggests the company is building an alternative to iCloud backups. This development represents the first time the platform has offered an option for iPhone users to store backups outside of Apple’s infrastructure. This development follows similar testing observed for Android users earlier this year in April, where the company explored options to store data outside of Google Drive.
For iPhone users, the change would provide a way to bypass iCloud storage limits, which have long been a source of frustration for those with large chat histories. While iCloud is expected to remain the default backup position, the new internal option would provide a practical alternative for users who want to manage their WhatsApp backups separately from their Apple cloud space. The interface within the test version allows users to switch between iCloud and WhatsApp’s own cloud storage, reflecting an effort to provide a consistent backup experience across both major operating systems.
Pricing and Storage Capacity
The proposed storage model for the service includes a free tier alongside potential paid upgrades. Initial findings indicate that WhatsApp intends to offer 2GB of free storage. For users requiring more space, the company is reportedly planning a 50GB tier priced at US$0.99 (approximately HK$7.8) per month, a move that would position it competitively against entry-level iCloud+ packages.
There are also indications that a 1TB option is under consideration. However, as noted in reports by Henderson, a technology editor at TechRitual, these specifications are still in the development phase. Because the feature has not yet been officially launched, both the storage limits and the pricing structure remain subject to change.
Security and Encryption Standards
A central feature of the new backup system is its approach to security. Unlike standard iCloud backups, where end-to-end encryption must be manually enabled by the user via Advanced Data Protection, the WhatsApp-hosted solution is designed to be encrypted by default. This security measure is mandatory and cannot be disabled while using the WhatsApp server-based backup, ensuring that the content remains private even from the service provider. Meta and WhatsApp themselves are unable to access or decrypt these backups.
To access these backups, users would be required to verify their identity through one of several methods:
- Passkeys
- Personal passwords
- 64-digit encryption keys
This design emphasizes user autonomy over data. This strategy aligns with the increasing global demand for strict data privacy standards, providing higher protection levels for high-security scenarios such as business communications or sensitive conversations.
Broader Platform Integration and Future Rollout
The backup initiative coincides with other security-focused updates within the app. Recently, WhatsApp introduced a username reservation feature, allowing users to register a unique handle in settings to reduce reliance on phone numbers and mitigate the risk of impersonation and fraud. This feature is currently being rolled out to a limited number of users via a banner in the chat list, appearing for both beta and official versions.
The cloud backup project remains in the development phase. No official release date has been announced, and the feature is not yet available to the general public, including those on the beta channel. As development progresses, the company is expected to release the feature to test users before a wider public rollout. For now, users remain dependent on their respective operating system’s default cloud providers, though the technical groundwork for a transition to proprietary cloud storage is clearly underway.
Worth a look