iPhone Users May Soon Be Able to Back Up WhatsApp Without iCloud: Here's What We Know

WhatsApp is apparently working on its own cloud backup service for iPhone users, one that doesn't need iCloud at all. WABetaInfo spotted the feature in WhatsApp beta for iOS version 26.28.10.16 on TestFlight, though it hasn't reached beta testers yet.

My sister has an iPhone, and honestly, the iCloud storage thing is a running joke in our family at this point. WhatsApp backups eat up her free 5GB faster than anything else, and she's constantly choosing between paying for more iCloud storage or just not having her chats backed up. If you have an iPhone user in your family, you probably know exactly what I'm talking about.

What's Actually Changing

Once this rolls out, iPhone users will be able to pick between iCloud and WhatsApp's own servers when setting up chat backups. iCloud stays as the default, but you can switch to WhatsApp's service whenever you want and go back if you change your mind.

WhatsApp is planning to give users 2GB of free backup storage on its own platform. For most people that should be plenty, and more importantly, it won't touch your iCloud space at all.

The Encryption Part Is Actually Important

This is the bit worth paying attention to. Every backup on WhatsApp's own service will be end-to-end encrypted by default, without you having to do anything. On iCloud, encrypted WhatsApp backups are available but you have to turn them on yourself, and most people don't bother.

With WhatsApp's service, you can lock your backup with a passkey, a password, or a 64-digit key. Neither WhatsApp nor Meta can read it. Only you can.

Android Users Are Getting This Too

WhatsApp is building the same thing for Android as a Google Drive alternative. Same deal, 2GB free, end-to-end encryption on by default. So this isn't just an iPhone fix.

Paid Plans Might Be Coming

For people who need more than 2GB, WhatsApp is apparently testing a 50GB plan for around $0.99 a month, which works out to roughly Rs. 95. There's also a 1TB option being explored. Both are still in development so the pricing could change.

None of this is official yet. It's all from a pre-beta build, and WhatsApp hasn't said anything publicly. But honestly, it's about time. This has been a real problem for iPhone users for years, and my sister will be the first person I forward this to when it actually launches.

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