WhatsApp backups are about to change dramatically. Until now, users have relied almost entirely on Google Drive on Android and iCloud on iPhone to save chats, photos, videos, and voice notes , sharing the same storage space with emails, documents, and other apps.
Meta, the app's owner, is working on its own cloud system for encrypted backups that will coexist with external services. The idea is that each user can choose whether to continue using Google Drive or iCloud or switch to a cloud managed directly by WhatsApp, with greater control over security and without overloading their overall storage.
What is WhatsApp's own cloud for encrypted backups?
The new feature revolves around a function under development known internally as WhatsApp Chat Backup Provider . This backup provider will allow backups to be saved directly on WhatsApp servers, instead of relying exclusively on third-party infrastructure like Google or Apple.
In practice, this means that conversations, media files, and app settings can be stored in a dedicated space linked to your WhatsApp account , separate from the rest of your data on Google Drive or iCloud. Users can choose in the settings whether they want backups to continue being stored in the external cloud or in this new dedicated cloud.
The application doesn't aim to eliminate current options, but rather to offer an additional alternative for those who run out of storage space or prefer to centralize backups within the app itself . This represents a significant change in model: WhatsApp would no longer depend entirely on third parties for such a critical feature as chat restoration.
According to various beta versions, the company is primarily testing this feature on Android, where the reliance on Google Drive and storage issues are most pronounced . However, the goal is for the system to be able to coexist with iCloud within the Apple ecosystem once the feature is fully developed.
A relief from the storage problem on Google Drive and iCloud
In Spain and the rest of Europe, it's very common to use up all 15 GB of free Google storage and the base iCloud quota. WhatsApp backups have become one of the biggest space hogs—so many people resort to external hard drive backups —especially because of videos, high-resolution photos, and files shared in groups.
For years, Android users had an agreement between Google and Meta that allowed WhatsApp backups to bypass Google Drive storage limits . That agreement has ended, and since 2024, backups have once again counted against storage space, leading to a surge in "storage full" warnings for many users.
When the limit is reached, the only solutions are usually to delete files, reduce the backup size, or purchase more storage . WhatsApp's own cloud service arrives precisely to alleviate some of that pressure: backups would then occupy a separate space, dedicated exclusively to chats and managed by the application itself.
In practice, moving the backup to this new cloud would free up several gigabytes on Google Drive or iCloud without losing your chat history . For those using the free plans of these services, this can make the difference between having to pay for more storage or staying within the free tier.
This approach is particularly well-suited to WhatsApp usage in Europe, where users often utilize every available megabyte before considering an additional Google or Apple subscription. Moving backups to Meta servers appears to offer relief for these overloaded accounts.
Storage plans: 2 GB free and up to 50 GB paid
Beyond the general idea, one of the most intriguing aspects is how much storage space WhatsApp will offer on its own cloud. Leaks suggest a model with both a free and a paid tier , designed to cater to different user profiles.
On one hand, the company is considering offering around 2 GB of free storage dedicated to backups . This space would be intended to meet the needs of those who only want to save important conversations, occasional files, and some multimedia without excessive storage.
On the other hand, an expanded plan is being tested that could offer up to 50 GB of storage for around $0,99 , presumably as a subscription. If confirmed, this option would aim to attract users who have accumulated years' worth of photos, videos, and documents in the app and need significantly more storage space for their backups.
It's still unclear whether the 2 GB of free data will be applied across the board to all users or if it might be tied to additional services or subscriptions like WhatsApp Plus in some regions. There's also no confirmation of final pricing for Europe, where it's expected that prices will be in euros and adjusted to local regulations.
In any case, coexistence with Google Drive and iCloud seems assured. Users will be able to continue using Google or Apple services, WhatsApp's cloud storage, or a combination of both , depending on their preference. The dedicated cloud storage isn't mandatory, but rather an additional option in the backup menu.
End-to-end encryption is mandatory in the WhatsApp cloud.
The central element of this change is not just storage space, but security. For years, WhatsApp has offered optional end-to-end encrypted backups , which users can protect with a password or a 64-digit key. With its own cloud storage, that encryption will take a significant leap forward.
The company wants end-to-end encryption to be mandatory whenever a copy is stored on its servers . This means that the data will be encrypted on the device itself before being uploaded to the cloud and can only be decrypted on a mobile device authorized by the user, maintaining the same model already in place for regular chat applications.
With this system, WhatsApp ensures that neither the company itself nor the storage provider can read the contents of the backup or access the key needed to unlock it. In other words, Meta would manage the infrastructure, but control of the access key would remain with the user.
This "encrypted vault" philosophy aligns with European regulations on privacy and data protection . For many users in Spain, it can provide added peace of mind compared to the idea of ​​chats being stored in third-party clouds without this level of protection by default.
The downside is that if the access key or associated authentication method is lost, recovering the backup can be very complicated or even impossible . Security is improved, but so is the user's responsibility for saving and managing their credentials.
Passkeys and biometrics: goodbye to eternal passwords
To make this system more user-friendly, WhatsApp is investing in modern authentication technologies, such as passkeys . References to this method for protecting backups have already been seen in the Android beta version.
Passkeys replace traditional passwords with a system based on asymmetric cryptography and biometric authentication . Instead of remembering a long phrase or a 64-digit code, users can access their backup using their fingerprint, facial recognition, or the device's PIN.
The private key is securely stored on the phone or in the password manager associated with the account, while the public key is registered with the service. This reduces typical risks such as phishing, password theft, and brute-force attacks , since there is no password to enter into a form that can be forged.
Furthermore, these passkeys can be synchronized between trusted devices using the operating system's password manager. This greatly simplifies restoring the backup when switching phones, especially for those who frequently switch between different Android models or even platforms.
Those who aren't comfortable with this approach will also have alternatives. The app will continue to offer the option of protecting the backup with a classic password or a 64-digit encryption key . However, in the latter case, it's advisable to be especially careful: losing that key means losing access to the entire backup.
What changes for users in Spain and Europe?
In a market like Europe, where WhatsApp is practically the standard for communication and millions of users depend on the app for personal and professional conversations , this movement can be seen on several fronts.
First, having dedicated cloud storage for WhatsApp will make it easier to alleviate the strain on Google Drive and iCloud without sacrificing backups. Many people are forced to choose between deleting emails, old photos, or WhatsApp backups; with this alternative, some of that pressure disappears.
Secondly, the experience of switching phones could be simplified. The idea is that, with its own cloud and authentication via passkeys or biometrics, it would be enough to verify identity and restore the backup directly from WhatsApp's servers , without depending on whether the user has Google Drive or iCloud configured correctly.
This approach aligns with other recent improvements, such as chat transfer between Android and iOS and the ability to use multiple accounts on a single device. It seems Meta wants to make the transition from one phone to another as seamless as possible, even when changing operating systems.
From a privacy perspective, the requirement for end-to-end encryption in the cloud and user control of the access key aligns with European Union regulatory requirements . Even so, debate will likely continue regarding the role of a large technology platform managing backups of so much personal data, even if encrypted.
For companies, freelancers, and professionals who use WhatsApp as a regular channel, having a more controlled and encrypted backup solution can be especially relevant, provided that access to work keys and devices is well managed.
Current state of development and when it might arrive
For now, everything indicates that WhatsApp's own cloud for encrypted backups is still in the development and internal testing phase . The feature is appearing in beta versions for a small group of users, primarily on Android, where interface and functionality details are being refined.
It is common for some aspects to change before the final version in this type of release: the size of the free storage, the price of the paid plan, the conditions by country , or even the exact way in which the option is presented in the settings can be adjusted on the fly.
There is no official rollout date for Spain or the rest of Europe. Most likely, once the initial testing phase is complete, the feature will be activated gradually , starting with certain markets and beta user groups before reaching the general public.
Furthermore, the app developers will need to coordinate this new feature with other product lines, such as potential premium subscriptions (for example, WhatsApp Plus for Business) or integrations with Meta services focused on the professional environment. All of this may influence how and when the different storage levels are introduced.
Meanwhile, the basic recommendations remain the same: it's advisable to periodically check the size of backups , clean up unnecessary files in chats, and consider whether to activate end-to-end encryption even while continuing to use Google Drive or iCloud.
WhatsApp's new proprietary cloud system points to a scenario where backups will no longer depend almost entirely on Google and Apple, offering 2 GB of free storage, affordable paid options, and mandatory encryption with 64-digit passkeys . If the rollout goes smoothly and users remain flexible in choosing their provider, many in Spain and Europe will be able to store years of conversations without overloading their other cloud services, while maintaining a high level of security and somewhat simpler data management.
