WhatsApp Introduces Passkey Login for Encrypted Chat Backups

WhatsApp has unveiled a new layer of security for its billions of users worldwide, introducing passkey support for end-to-end encrypted chat backups. The Meta-owned messaging platform says the update will make it easier and safer for users to restore their chat history by using biometric authentication methods such as fingerprints, facial recognition, or device screen locks, instead of passwords or lengthy encryption keys.

For years, users faced a difficult trade-off between data protection and convenience. Since WhatsApp rolled out end-to-end encrypted backups in 2021, anyone wanting to restore their chat history needed either a password or a 64-character encryption key. Losing these credentials meant losing access to their backup permanently.

The new passkey system resolves that issue by leveraging secure authentication features already built into Android and iOS devices, removing the need to remember or store long codes.

“Passkeys make it easier and safer to restore your encrypted backups,” WhatsApp said in a statement. “You can now use your fingerprint, face, or device screen lock code — no need to remember long passwords.”

The update is part of WhatsApp’s ongoing effort to enhance security without compromising usability. It builds on the platform’s long-standing commitment to end-to-end encryption, which ensures that only senders and recipients can read messages, a cornerstone of user trust across its global community of more than three billion active users.

This latest feature also aligns with WhatsApp’s broader strategy to deepen integration with device-level security tools, further protecting user data from unauthorised access.

The rollout of passkey support will be gradual, reaching all users over the coming weeks and months. To check availability, users can navigate to:

Settings → Chats → Chat backup → End-to-end encrypted backup and enable the feature.

Once activated, restoring chat history becomes seamless - no passwords required, just a quick fingerprint scan, face recognition, or device unlock.