WhatsApp is rolling out a new feature that allows users to access their encrypted backups using passkeys. This update makes it easier to restore backups if you lose your device, using biometric methods like fingerprint, face ID, or your screen lock code from your previous device.
Previously, users had to remember a password or safeguard a 64-character encryption key to restore their chat backups. The new passkey option removes that hassle, simplifying the recovery process while keeping data secure.
Meta first introduced end-to-end encryption for backups in 2021, but the reliance on manually stored passwords made the process cumbersome for many users.
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The feature, available to WhatsApp’s 3 billion active users, will roll out gradually over the coming weeks and months. To check availability, go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > End-to-end Encrypted Backup, and look for the new passkey option.
