• By Vikas Yadav
  • Fri, 30 Aug 2024 03:39 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

WhatsApp, a Meta-owned messaging application, tests new features and enhancements across platforms at regular intervals. In the latest move, the company is now testing the option to let users protect their end-to-end encrypted backups using a passkey. According to WABetaInfo, the company was spotted working on the feature in the Android beta "2.24.18.13" version.

According to the report, the feature is "under development" and is not available for beta testers at the moment. The passkey protection will help users add a digital credential for account logins and replace typical passwords with screen lock, face or fingerprint scanning. This can ensure only authorised users access the chat history from the backup.

Also Read: WhatsApp Video Calling On iOS May Get Big Boost With AR Features Like Filters, Backgrounds, Low-Light And Touch-Up Mode

While the feature is not rolling out, testers must keep their app updated from the Google Play Store to check out the feature once it is available. According to the screengrab shared by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp may prompt users to protect their end-to-end encrypted backup via a password or encryption key. While offering these options, the company may let users use a passkey or other options.

In the current scheme, users can secure this backup data using a custom password or a 64-digit encryption key. With the enhancement, users can also use biometric authentication to protect backups with fingerprint or facial recognition. This will remove the need to recall complex passwords if users get locked out of their encrypted backup.

Also Read: WhatsApp May Soon Let You Quickly 'Mark All Chats As Read' On Android Just Like iPhones; What We Know

According to the report, this passkey is stored in a password manager for easy accessibility and security to avoid the necessity of manual saving of custom passwords. This transition to use passkey as an authentication measure for WhatsApp backups is expected to enhance the accessibility of chats which is not dependent on a user's memory. Users will also get the option to restore the end-to-end encrypted backups by verifying the identity of the biometrics.