WhatsApp developing proprietary cloud backup service for Android and iOS

WhatsApp is building its own cloud backup service for chat history, offering an alternative to iCloud and Google Drive on both mobile platforms.

• References to the feature were spotted by WABetaInfo in the WhatsApp beta for iOS version 26.28.10.16.
• The backup service will provide 2GB of free storage, with paid plans of 50GB for about $0.99/month and 1TB under consideration.
• End-to-end encryption will be mandatory and enabled automatically on WhatsApp’s servers, unlike the optional encryption on iCloud and Google Drive.
• WhatsApp has not announced a launch date; the feature remains under development for both Android and iOS.