After a beta test period of several months, WhatsApp has finally released an end-to-end encryption-protected chat backup feature. This feature is starting to roll out for WhatsApp users on Android and iOS.
WhatsApp has been offering end-to-end encryption for chats for the past five years, and with this update the same protection will be provided for chats reserved on Google Drive and iCloud.
"No global messaging service of this scale offers this level of security for users' messages, media, voicemail, video calls and chat backups," WhatsApp said in its announcement, as quoted from its official blog, Friday (15/10/2021) .
With this feature, users can protect their chat backups with a password or 64 -digit encryption key. After enabling this feature, either WhatsApp, Google or Apple will not be able to access the chat content that has been backed up or the backup encryption key.
But WhatsApp warns users will not be able to recover chat and data that has been backed up if they forget the password or key. WhatsApp will also not be able to help reset passwords or recover chat without a password.
Currently the encrypted chat backup feature is still being rolled out gradually for all WhatsApp users on Android and iOS. If you have updated the latest version of the WhatsApp application and get this feature, the new foam activates encrypted chat backup.
How to enable chat backup with end-to-end encryption:
Open the WhatsApp application and go to the Settings menu
Tap the Chats option> Chat Backup> End-to-end Encrypted Backup
Tap Continue and follow the instructions to create a password or 64 -digit encryption key
Tap Done and wait for WhatsApp to complete the encryption process on the backup.
How to disable end-to-end encryption feature for WhatsApp chat backup manually:
Open the WhatsApp application and go to the Settings menu
Tap Chats> Chat Backup> End-to-end Encrypted Backup
Tap Turn Off
Enter the password already registered
Confirm if you want to turn off encrypted backups by tapping Turn Off.
Users can try to enter the password or encryption key five times. After five unsuccessful attempts, the user must wait a while before trying again.
Although WhatsApp says it can't reset the backup password, users who can't remember their password can change the password easily.
How to change your password easily:
Open the WhatsApp application and go to the Settings menu
Tap Chats> Chat Backup> End-to-end Encrypted Backup> Change Password
Tap I forgot my password, then verify your identity with biometrics (fingerprints or face) or device PIN
Create a new password for backup.