- WhatsApp backups can be encrypted with passkeys on iOS and Android.
- Gradual rollout over the next few weeks and months; may not appear yet.
- Activation from Settings > Chats > Backup > Encrypted backup.
- Passkeys eliminate 64-digit passwords and keys, using biometrics or a lock code.
WhatsApp is incorporating a simpler and more secure way to access copies of your chats.: the support of passkeys for encrypted backupsIn practice, when you restore a backup You can verify your identity with your fingerprint, facial recognition, or the device's own lock code..
This step reduces dependence on a password or 64-character key Introduced in 2021 to protect backups. The new feature is coming to iOS and Android via a phased rollout that It will extend over the coming weeks and months.Therefore, it may not yet be available on all accounts.
What changes with passkeys in WhatsApp
Until now, backups could be encrypted end-to-end with a password chosen by the user or by storing a long key. The problem is obvious: If you forget your password or lose it, recovering your chats can be a real headache.With passkeys, the "key" is managed on the device itself and the Access is granted using your usual unlocking methods.
Passkey protection It applies the same layer of security that already protects messages and calls within WhatsApp.There's no need to memorize anything or copy endless codes: a simple touch or glance is all it takes to decrypt the backup when you switch phones or restore a copy.
How to activate passkey protection
The option will be rolled out gradually to everyone. When it's available, you can check it in the app's menu. If you don't see it yet, you'll only see the alternatives for password or 64-digit key.
- Open WhatsApp and enter Settings (Settings).
- Go to Cat > Backup (Chat backup).
- Sign in End-to-end encrypted backup (End-to-end encrypted backup).
- Activate the option and choose the passkey as a method of protection if it becomes available.
Remember that you must first have a backup created in iCloud or Google Drive in order to encrypt the backupIf you don't have it, set up automatic backup and return to this section to activate encryption.
Security: advantages over passwords and keys
The Passkeys are based on standards such as FIDO2/WebAuthnThey replace passwords with cryptographic key pairs, storing the private key on the device and protecting it with biometrics or the unlock codeThere is nothing to remember or that could be leaked in a data breach.
Passwords can be weak or reused across services, and the 64-character key, although very robust, is easy to misplace. With passkeys, The attacker would need your finger, your face, or the terminal code to access the backup, making it difficult to steal copies. even if someone gains access to the cloud.
Availability and European framework
WhatsApp has confirmed a launch progressive worldwide, including in Spain and the rest of Europe, on both iOS and Android. The measure aligns with European privacy requirements, as it minimizes the use of reused passwords and reinforces the confidentiality of the data stored in iCloud or Google Drive.
If you use WhatsApp for work or studies, this improvement reduces the risk of a poorly managed password leaving your data exposed. conversations, photos, or voice notes saved in your backups. When the feature arrives in your account, switching to the passkey system is optional and reversible.
From logins to backups: an upward trend
WhatsApp had already moved towards a passwordless world by incorporating passkeys for login. Now, The adoption extends to backupsaligning with the general movement of the sector towards passwordless authentication, more resistant to phishing and credential stuffing attacks.
For users who have been accumulating content on the app for years, The switch to passkeys facilitates access to backups without compromising the to maximise security and your enjoyment.preventing losses due to forgotten passwords or misplaced long keys.
Quick tips for complete protection
In addition to activating the passkeys when they appear, It's a good idea to reinforce some habits to keep your data safe. and reduce surfaces of attack.
- Activate two-step verification on WhatsApp and use a Unique PIN.
- Avoid reusing passwords between services and keep the blocking of the always-on mobile.
- Update WhatsApp and your operating system to receive the improvements of security.
- Check the status of your copies periodically encrypted in Settings.
The arrival of passkeys in WhatsApp backups represents a practical leap forward: less friction during restoration and an additional barrier against unauthorized accessrelying on biometrics or the device code. With a This rollout will reach all iOS and Android users in the coming months.It's worth keeping the app up to date and checking in Settings if the option is already available in your account.
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