WhatsApp is building a proprietary backup storage option for iPhone chats that would let users choose a destination other than iCloud directly from the app’s backup settings, according to code spotted in a beta release.
What the iPhone beta reveals about backups
Code extracted from the iOS beta (version 26.28.10.16) distributed via TestFlight indicates the backup settings may include a selector for where chat backups are stored. iCloud would remain the default option. The feature is not yet enabled for testers and WhatsApp has not provided an official launch date.
Built-in storage tiers and paid plans
The implementation under consideration would offer 2 GB of free storage on WhatsApp’s servers, a 50 GB tier billed at about $0.99 per month (similar to iCloud+’s entry-level price), and a potential 1 TB option. These tiers and prices are tentative and could change before any public rollout.
Security: end-to-end encryption enabled by default
Backups stored on WhatsApp’s servers would be protected by end-to-end encryption (E2EE) enabled by default, with no option to disable it. That contrasts with iCloud backups, which are only E2EE if the user manually enables Advanced Data Protection. The app would prompt users to add a recovery key in the form of a passkey; a password or a 64-character key would remain supported alternatives.
Context and parallels with Android
This development follows a similar effort seen on Android, where an alternative to Google Drive backup was in development. Offering a proprietary storage option appears aimed at giving users more choice while allowing WhatsApp to control the backup experience.
This feature is still in development and could change. It may alter how iPhone users handle chat backups—especially those prioritizing encryption or seeking an alternative to iCloud—but we’ll need an official announcement to learn the exact timeline and final availability.
