WhatsApp is testing encrypted cloud backups on Android

Months after WhatsApp is reportedly working on encryption for cloud backups, the company has enabled the feature for beta users in the latest Android 2.21.15.

The end-to-end encrypted backup to Google Drive covers the chat history and media. Once Android users enable the feature, they are required to create a password to encrypt future backups or restore a backup.

Alternatively, Android users can use a generated 64-bit Encryption Key to restore the backup. A major drawback of this option is that WhatsApp will not be able to recover the backup if the user loses the encryption key.

WhatsApp is also working on a number of exciting new features which include multi-device support, Disappearing Mode, View Once, the ability to migrate chat history to another phone number, and chat history migration between iOS and Android.

Source: wabetainfo