WhatsApp’s Encrypted Cloud: A New Option
WhatsApp users have long relied on Google Drive (for Android) or iCloud (for Apple devices) to back up their chat data. Soon, WhatsApp will offer a proprietary cloud storage solution, automatically encrypted end-to-end. This new feature will let users store files, photos, and videos shared in the app directly with WhatsApp, rather than depending solely on third-party providers.
According to Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, this built-in cloud storage will offer the same core privacy protections as users’ messages, with encryption enabled by default.
Privacy, Security, and How It Works
Consistent with WhatsApp’s privacy commitments, Meta states it will not be able to access or use any content saved in its encrypted cloud storage. For user authentication, three security options will be available: passkey, a traditional password, or a 64-digit encryption key. This setup is designed to serve both tech-savvy users and those looking for straightforward security.
How Much Will It Cost?
WhatsApp’s pricing appears to line up with its main competitors. The company is reportedly planning to offer 50 GB of storage for €0.99 per month (about $1.10 USD as of April 2026). Apple’s 50 GB iCloud plan is priced similarly, while Google charges €1.99 (around $2.20 USD) for 100 GB, which keeps the pricing proportional. WhatsApp is said to be considering a free 2 GB tier, but there is not yet confirmation of whether this will be open to all users or reserved for WhatsApp Plus subscribers.
Meta has begun testing its cloud storage service with selected users. Details such as pricing and availability could still change before the wider rollout, which is expected to take place in a future WhatsApp update.
What’s Behind WhatsApp’s Cloud Push?
Meta’s main motivation is to offer a secure, end-to-end encrypted storage alternative to Google Drive and iCloud. The new option is intended to give users more control over privacy, as their data will be protected by WhatsApp’s encryption rather than relying on third-party services. However, Meta will still have access to metadata—information like storage volume, backup frequency, and file structure—as is common with cloud storage systems.
By providing this proprietary storage, Meta aims to keep users within its ecosystem and reduce reliance on Google and Apple for backup solutions. With WhatsApp’s 3.3 billion monthly active users around the world, even a low-priced subscription service could represent a significant source of new revenue for the company.
Should You Switch?
WhatsApp’s new offering may appeal to privacy-focused users or those wanting to keep all their backups encrypted by default. Whether it becomes a better alternative to established giants like Google Drive and iCloud will depend on how Meta executes its launch and the final pricing structure. For now, users should watch for updates as the service moves out of testing and into a broader release.
