In today's digital world, no online account is entirely safe. From phishing scams to data breaches, even the most vigilant users can fall victim to cyberattacks. But while perfect security remains out of reach, technology companies continue to raise the bar. WhatsApp's latest update is a testament to that effort.
The messaging giant is rolling out passkey support for encrypted chat backups, aligning itself with global leaders like Google, Apple, Microsoft, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) in the transition toward password less authentication. The feature promises a simpler and more secure way to restore chat histories, no passwords, no lengthy encryption keys, and no anxiety when switching devices.
For years, end-to-end encryption has been WhatsApp's strongest privacy guarantee, ensuring messages remain visible only to senders and recipients. However, that safeguard didn't fully extend to cloud backups until 2021, when the platform introduced encrypted backups protected by passwords or 64-character keys. The drawback: losing that key meant losing access to your chat history forever.
Passkeys eliminate that risk. Instead of relying on passwords, they use biometric verification, such as fingerprints, Face ID, or a device PIN. The cryptographic key that secures the backup never leaves the user's device, meaning even if the data sits on Google Drive or iCloud, it remains inaccessible to everyone else including Meta.
The rollout is gradual. Android users will rely on Google's password manager for passkey storage, While iOS users can authenticate via Touch ID or Face ID. The move comes as part of a broader industry trend: X recently mandated users to re-reenroll passkeys before November 10, while Apple and Google have already integrated the system deeply into their ecosystems.
