Meta is developing a standalone cloud backup service for WhatsApp on iOS. Rolling out in current beta builds (v26.28.10.16), the service offers 2GB of free dedicated storage and plans for paid tiers, including 50GB for approximately USD 0.99 per month, with a 1TB tier also in development.
For years, users have complained that WhatsApp backups on iOS quickly fill up the 5GB of free iCloud space, which is also used for photos, videos, documents, and other app data.
Meta is developing a cloud backup service for WhatsApp on iOS. By shifting the backup architecture to its own servers, Meta is creating a system that does not rely on Apple or Google ecosystems.
Dedicated Storage
The technical shift is significant. Under the new system revealed by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp will offer an option to store backups directly on WhatsApp servers. iCloud will remain the default option.
The pricing structure includes a 50GB tier for approximately USD 0.99 (roughly Rp16.000) per month. There are also indications that a 1TB tier is in development.
- Free Tier: 2GB dedicated to WhatsApp backups.
- Mid Tier: 50GB for ~$0.99/month.
- High Tier: 1TB (Under development).
By isolating the storage, Meta provides an alternative to iCloud.
The Security Pivot: Automatic Encryption and Passkeys
From a security perspective, all data stored on WhatsApp servers will be encrypted automatically. Unlike iCloud backups, which require users to manually enable end-to-end encryption, this will be automatic. WhatsApp is planned to recommend the use of passkeys as an additional authentication method, although password options or 64-digit encryption keys are also available.
Solving the Cross-Platform Migration
The service could make it easier for users who frequently switch devices between iPhone and Android smartphones. Currently, the migration process still depends on the cloud services of each platform, which can make data transfers more complicated.
A platform-agnostic cloud backup changes the math. If the backup lives on Meta’s servers, the process of moving data between devices could be simplified.
The Privacy Trade-off
If users choose to use the WhatsApp cloud service, the backup data will reside on servers owned by WhatsApp or Meta, rather than iCloud. This means users must entrust their data storage to Meta, although the company claims all backup data will remain protected by end-to-end encryption. Meta has not yet announced an official release date for the feature.
As this feature is still in the beta (v26.28.10.16) analysis stage, implementation details, pricing, and storage capacity may still change before it is widely released.
