WhatsApp is in the process of developing a new feature aimed at iPhone users, allowing them to back up their chats, photos, videos, and documents directly to WhatsApp’s own cloud storage. This option would serve as an alternative to Apple’s iCloud, which is currently the default storage provider for iPhone backups. Reports indicate that WhatsApp’s storage solution will initially offer 2GB of free cloud storage for users’ backups.
For those who require more storage space, WhatsApp is reportedly planning to introduce paid storage plans. An entry-level option is expected to offer 50GB of additional storage, with even larger capacity plans in the pipeline. This flexibility could appeal to users who need more space than what is available with the free option.
While iCloud will remain the default backup service for iPhone users, the new WhatsApp feature will be optional, giving users the freedom to choose. Importantly, users who opt for WhatsApp’s cloud storage will have the liberty to switch back to iCloud whenever they wish. One of the key advantages of WhatsApp’s cloud backups is that they are expected to include end-to-end encryption by default, ensuring that users’ backup data remains securely protected.
The feature is currently undergoing testing through Apple’s TestFlight platform, although there is no official release date for the public launch. In addition to this iPhone feature, WhatsApp is reportedly working on a similar cloud backup solution for Android users, broadening the scope of this new offering.