WhatsApp is in the process of developing a new feature that will enable iPhone users to back up their chats, photos, videos, and documents directly to WhatsApp’s own cloud storage. This update would provide an alternative to Apple’s iCloud, which has traditionally been the default backup service for iPhone users. The planned feature is expected to offer 2GB of free storage space for chat backups. For those requiring additional space, WhatsApp may introduce paid plans, starting from an entry-level option that offers 50GB of storage. Higher-capacity plans are also reportedly in the works.
Crucially, this new cloud storage option is expected to be optional. Users who prefer to continue using iCloud for their backups will still have that choice. For those who opt to use WhatsApp’s cloud storage, it is likely that they will be able to switch back to iCloud whenever they wish. Additionally, WhatsApp plans to implement end-to-end encryption for these cloud backups, ensuring that users’ backup data remains securely protected.
The development of this feature is currently being tested through Apple’s TestFlight platform, which is a common method for beta testing apps on iOS devices. However, there is no official timeline for when this feature will become publicly available. While the initial focus is on iPhone users, reports indicate that WhatsApp is also working on a similar cloud backup solution for Android users, which would provide cross-platform consistency for its user base.