WhatsApp is in the process of developing a new feature designed to allow iPhone users to back up their chats, photos, videos, and documents directly to WhatsApp’s own cloud storage, bypassing the necessity to use Apple’s iCloud. This upcoming feature is anticipated to offer users 2GB of free cloud storage for their chat backups. For those requiring more space, there are indications that WhatsApp will introduce paid plans, starting with an entry-level offering of 50GB. Moreover, plans with even greater storage capacities are reportedly in the works.
This new backup feature is expected to be an optional service, maintaining iCloud as the default backup solution for iPhone users. Users opting for WhatsApp’s storage service will reportedly have the flexibility to switch back to iCloud if they choose. A significant aspect of this feature is the inclusion of end-to-end encryption by default, providing a high level of security for the backup data.
Currently, the feature is undergoing testing via Apple’s TestFlight platform, although there is yet to be an official announcement regarding its public release timeline. Reports also indicate that WhatsApp is looking into developing a similar cloud backup option for Android users, ensuring a broader reach for this new storage solution.