WhatsApp is adding a new way to access your encrypted backups with passkey support. This means if you lose your device, you can use methods like fingerprint, face, or the screen lock code of your previous device to access WhatsApp’s backup.
For years, WhatsApp didn’t have an encryption layer for its chat backups. However, in 2021, Meta added a way for users to protect their backups with end-to-end encryption using either passwords or 64-character encryption keys.
The trouble with both is that you have to remember your backup password or have the encryption key handy while restoring the backup. With passkeys, you don’t need to look for the password or the key.
WhatsApp, which crossed 3 billion active users in May, said that this feature will be rolled out to users in the coming weeks and months, so you might have to keep a eye on when it becomes available to you.
You can go to Settings > Chats > Chat backup > End-to-end encrypted backup to enable encrypted backups and check if you have an option to use passkeys.
Topics Apps, encryption, Security, WhatsApp Ivan Mehta Ivan covers global consumer tech developments at TechCrunch. He is based out of India and has previously worked at publications including Huffington Post and The Next Web.
You can contact or verify outreach from Ivan by emailing im@ivanmehta.com or via encrypted message at ivan.42 on Signal. View Bio October 27-29, 2025 San Francisco
Save 50% on your Disrupt pass
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is live! Join 10,000 founders, investors, and tech leaders — and save when you come together to the tech epicenter of the year. Save Now Most Popular
YouTube announces ‘voluntary exit program’ for US staff
Aisha Malik
Grammarly rebrands to ‘Superhuman,’ launches a new AI assistant
Ivan Mehta
VC Vinod Khosla says the US government could take 10% stake in all public companies to soften the blow of AGI
Sarah Perez
OpenAI offers free ChatGPT Go for one year to all users in India
Jagmeet Singh
OpenAI says over a million people talk to ChatGPT about suicide weekly
Maxwell Zeff
Who are AI browsers for?
Anthony Ha
India, the market BlaBlaCar once walked away from, is now its biggest
Jagmeet Singh