WhatsApp is introducing a new method to access your encrypted backups using passkey support. This update means that if you lose your device, you can regain access to your WhatsApp backup using authentication methods like your fingerprint, face scan, or the screen lock code from your previous device.
For many years, WhatsApp did not include an encryption layer for its chat backups. This changed in 2021 when Meta introduced a feature allowing users to protect their backups with end-to-end encryption. This initial method required users to set a backup password or save a 64-character encryption key.
The challenge with both the password and the encryption key was the need to remember the password or have the key readily available when restoring a backup. With the new passkey system, you no longer need to search for a password or locate a long key.
WhatsApp, which surpassed three billion active users in May, announced that this passkey feature will be rolled out to users over the coming weeks and months. You may need to watch for its availability in your app.
To enable encrypted backups and check for the passkey option, you can navigate to Settings, then select Chats, followed by Chat backup, and finally choose End-to-end encrypted backup.