WhatsApp is the most famous messaging application in the world, and the company does not cease enlightening its users with new updates. A new update has just been pushed via the Google Play Beta Program to the version WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.24.15. Several of the users were hoping to find out what is new in this version. The positive thing is that WhatsApp is implementing a new feature in which one can encrypt their backup with a passkey. It is currently accessible to some of the beta users and, in the next few weeks, to more users.
In this article is about this new passkey feature and how it is going to work, and what benefits it will bring to its users. This new choice might be available in your app already, should you be a WhatsApp beta tester. Let us know more about it.
Encrypted backups passkey
The most noteworthy feature of beta version 2.25.24.15 of the WhatsApp application is the implementation of the passkey system of encrypted backups. Previous to this, users were able to protect their WhatsApp backup through a password or a 64-digit encryption key. The issue was that individuals had to memorise the password or keep it secure. Losing access to the backup was even permanent for many users as they forgot their passwords.
WhatsApp is mitigating this issue with its new feature, passkey. Loads and arduous passwords are not a compulsory prerequisite anymore, as passkeys will be tucked securely in the latest password manager of the user. This simplifies and makes the procedure more secure and more user-friendly.
How does the passkey work
A passkey is basically a new way of authentication. Users don’t need to type or remember anything. The passkey is linked to Android APIs and is saved inside the password manager, so it is always available on trusted devices. To confirm their identity, users can simply use the built-in methods like fingerprint recognition, facial authentication, or device PIN.
This means restoring WhatsApp backups becomes much easier. There is no need to enter a long password during setup. Just verify yourself with your fingerprint or face, and the backup will be restored. At the same time, your chats and media files remain fully protected with end-to-end encryption.
A difference with the old passkey option
Most of the users may recall that following the WhatsApp beta version 2.23.20.4 update, a feature to log in via a passkey was already provided. This backup passkey is, however, different. The previous one was just to authenticate the app when logging i, and this is also to protect your backup files. WhatsApp is isolating passkeys to its own use. This is so that the app login security and the backup security are unaffected by one another.
Both the significance and why this feature is important
The largest benefit of this feature is that it minimizes human error. Human beings always forget passwords, or they write them somewhere unsafe. The passkeys solve the problem. The user does not need to worry about anything; the backup is safe. This is also an advantage because in case of switching to a new phone, it is a switch. This is whenever you are using the same password manager, and your passkey will work on the new machine too.
This makes the backups of WhatsApp safe and convenient. It does not make security less, but the approach becomes quicker and easier. This feature is quite beneficial to those users who are conscious of privacy.
Availability
At the moment, this feature is only available for some beta testers using WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.24.15. But WhatsApp has confirmed that it is rolling out to more users in the coming weeks. If you are a beta tester, you can update your app from the Google Play Store and check if the option is visible for you. If not, you may get it soon as the rollout expands.
In the previous WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.24.8 update, WhatsApp had rolled out another small feature. That update introduced checkboxes to the forward picker interface, making it easier for users to forward messages. Now, in the latest version, the focus is on stronger security with the backup passkey option.
