WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption is a feature that protects messages/ chats from everyone even WhatsApp. Backups of messages send via WhatsApp are kept in iCloud for iPhone users and Google Drive for Android users. By default, these backups are not encrypted. It also means that if properly protected, they might be accessible to unauthorized users.
Now in WhatsApp you can enable end-to-end encryption for your chat backups, adding an extra layer of security. You can use this guide to find out how to activate or Disable end-to-end Encryption in Whatsapp account.
Enable or Disable end-to-end Encryption in WhatsApp Backup on Android
As I previously said, end-to-end backups are not enable by defaults in WhatsApp, so if you went to turn on, follow the steps:
1. First open the whatsapp on your Android device and tap the three rows of dots shown in the upper right corner.
2. From this screen, select “Settings” and then “Chats.”
3. Once you’ve scrolled down, tap “Chat Backup.”
4. This is where you’ll find the “End-to-End Encrypted Backup” option. click on it.
5. Click on the ‘Turn on‘ button.
6. A password or 64-bit encryption key setup option will appear. Choose the one that suits your needs.
| Note: To restore your backup, you will need to enter this password. Make sure you remembers this password because if you forget it, you won’t be able to access your backup. |
7. After setting the password or key and tap ‘Create‘, confirm your choice and save the settings, then your Google Drive backup of WhatsApp will be replaced by a new backup.
To disable End-to-end encrypted WhatsApp backups on Android, simply follow the same steps above and click “Turn off” at the final stage. Also enter the password or the key, When asked.
Enable or Disable WhatsApp’s Backup end-to-end Encryption on iPhone
If you are using iPhone, then slightly different steps then android, so follow this method:
1. first Open WhatsApp on your iOS device.
2. click ‘Settings‘ from the bottom right corner tap, then click ‘Chats‘ from the given options.
3. then tap ‘Chat backup‘
4. click on the bottom-last option ‘End-to-end encrypted backup‘
5. Click on the ‘Turn on‘ button.
6. A password or 64-bit encryption key setup option will appear. Choose the one that suits your needs.
7. After setting the password or key and tap ‘Create‘, confirm your choice and save the settings, then your Google Drive backup of WhatsApp will be replaced by a new backup.
To disable End-to-end encrypted WhatsApp backups on iPhone, simply follow the same steps above and click “Turn off” at the final stage. Also enter the password or the key, When asked.
Also Read: 2 Simple Ways to Set Full Profile Picture on Facebook, Whatsapp and Instagram
FAQs
What is End-to-End Encryption WhatsApp?
With end-to-end encryption, the only people who can read what is sent are you and the person receiving it. The contents of the communications are not accessible to any third party, not even WhatsApp. Media shared on the platform, calls, and texts are all encrypted. By default, WhatsApp chat backups are kept in iCloud for iPhone users and Google Drive for Android users, By default, these backups are not encrypted.
What happens if my WhatsApp encryption password is forgotten?
You won’t be able to recover your encrypted chat backup if you forget your password. With WhatsApp, there is no way to get the password back.
Will whatsapp existing backups be encrypted after enable this feature?
No, end-to-end encryption will only be applied to newly made backups. Backups that already exist won’t be encrypted.
Can I change my whatsapp encryption password?
It is possible to change your encryption password by first turning off your existing encryption and then turning it back on with a new password.
