WhatsApp on Thursday started rolling out end-to-end encryption for backups stored on Google Drive and iCloud. The rollout has started months after the Facebook-owned company tested the update internally. Last month, WhatsApp announced that it’d start rolling out end-to-end encrypted cloud backups for Android and iOS users. The opt-in feature will help users protect their backups from being accessed by third parties including cloud storage providers like Google and Apple. it’s also claimed to shield chat history stored in backups from WhatsApp.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the rollout of end-to-end encryption for cloud backups through a post on his page. The feature are going to be extended globally for both Android and iOS users in a very gradual manner to produce a further layer of protection to backups stored within the cloud.
Since 2016, WhatsApp has provided end-to-end encryption by default for messages circulating on its platform. the corporate claims that the advanced encryption protects over 100 billion messages daily as they travel between over two billion users globally.
WhatsApp users, however, also found the requirement for the identical level of encryption for chat history and other content saved within the cloud that’s available on the app. That resulted within the launch of end-to-end encryption for cloud backups.
If someone chooses to backup their chat history with end-to-end encryption, it’ll be accessible only to them, and nobody are ready to unlock their backup, not even WhatsApp. Neither WhatsApp nor the backup service provider (like Apple) are able to access their end-to-end encryption key or their end-to-end encrypted backup,” the corporate said.
How to enable end-to-end encryption for WhatsApp backups
WhatsApp is currently rolling out end-to-end encryption for cloud backups on both Android and iOS devices. confirm that you just are on the most recent version of WhatsApp to urge the update.
Unlike the prevailing end-to-end encryption that’s available by default, you would like to manually enable end-to-end encryption for cloud backups. you’ll do so by visiting Settings > Chats > Chat Backups > End-to-End Encrypted Backups so follow the prompts on the screen. you may be required to make a password for your backup. Alternatively, you’ll use a 64-bit encryption key.
Once the on-screen steps are completed, tap Done and expect WhatsApp to organize your end-to-end encrypted backup. you would possibly have to connect your phone to an influence source because the encryption would require some local resources of the device.
It is important to notice that you just won’t be ready to restore your end-to-end encrypted backup if you forget your password or key.
WhatsApp promised to enable end-to-end encrypted cloud backups last month. it absolutely was also earlier this month spotted testing end-to-end encrypted cloud backups on Android and iOS.
