WhatsApp just made securing your chat history as simple as a glance. The Meta-owned messaging platform is rolling out passkey-encrypted backups that let users protect their stored conversations with facial recognition, fingerprints, or device screen locks - ditching the cumbersome 64-digit keys that have protected backups since 2021.
WhatsApp is betting that the future of security lies in your biology, not your memory. The messaging giant announced today it's rolling out passkey-encrypted backups that transform chat protection from a password nightmare into a simple tap or glance.
The new system lets users secure their stored messages using the same biometric authentication they already use to unlock their phones - face recognition, fingerprints, or device screen lock codes. It's a dramatic departure from the current backup encryption process, which has required users to either memorize a 64-digit encryption key or create a password tied to that key since Meta introduced end-to-end encrypted backups in 2021.
"Many of us carry years of precious memories in our WhatsApp chats - photos, heartfelt voice notes, and important conversations," the company said in its announcement. "That's why protecting them if you ever lose your phone or need to transfer to a new device is so important."
The timing isn't coincidental. Meta has been aggressively pushing passwordless authentication across its platforms, having already rolled out passkey support for WhatsApp account logins in 2023. That move was part of a broader industry shift toward passkey technology, which replaces traditional passwords with device-based authentication systems.
The practical impact is significant. Previously, users who wanted encrypted backups faced a choice between convenience and security. The 64-digit key system was secure but cumbersome, leading many to skip backup encryption entirely. Now, securing a backup becomes as simple as the authentication method users already employ dozens of times daily.
This latest expansion suggests Meta is systematically eliminating password friction across its ecosystem. The company has been under intense regulatory pressure to improve user privacy and security, particularly around data protection. Passkey-encrypted backups address both concerns simultaneously - they're more secure than password-based systems and eliminate user behavior that could compromise security.
