WhatsApp Could Soon Offer Encrypted Cloud Backups Without Google Drive or iCloud

We’ve all hit that moment when your cloud storage is full, right when you need it most, and suddenly you’re scrambling to delete files.

This usually happens because of how much data we back up photos and videos from the gallery, WhatsApp chats, and other media, which can quickly eat into our limited storage.

According to WABetaInfo, the Meta-owned platform will give users options where they can choose to have their chats and media backed up, hence cutting the third-party middleman (Google and Apple) and keeping backup strictly within the WhatsApp ecosystem.

Why We Need WhatsApp's Own Encrypted Cloud Storage Right Now

Right now, WhatsApp backups are quietly competing for space with everything else on your phone, and that is becoming a real problem.

On Android phones, chats and media use the same 15GB of free storage shared by Gmail and Google Photos.

On iPhone, it gets worse since they are stuck with 5G across iCloud backups, photos, and app data.

Honestly, it doesn’t take long before this space is filled to the brim, which forces people to either delete memories, upgrade their storage plans, or stop backing up their chats together.

I have been in this situation before, and more often than not, I usually end up stopping the backup altogether, and I pray that phone doesn’t die on me or get stolen because I will lose all my media.

For an app that millions of people rely on daily, that setup honestly feels outdated, and it’s exactly why a dedicated cloud storage solution from WhatsApp makes more sense now than ever, but is there a catch?

Security First: Passkeys and Default E2EE

According to the leak, those who back up their data via WhatsApp will be required to use encryption, and they will be able to choose which encryption they prefer.

WhatsApp is expected to use passkey-based encryption by default, making things simpler since users won’t need to remember a traditional password.

Alternatively, if users prefer other security methods other than the passkeys, they can use a 64-digit encryption key to encrypt their backup, which will be stored in the password manager.

Unlike standard cloud backups that sometimes require manual toggling for privacy, WhatsApp's servers will make End-to-End Encryption (E2EE) the default.

Storage Tiers & Pricing: Will You Need "WhatsApp Plus"?

According to the reports, WhatsApp is set to offer two storage options: a free 2GB option and a 50GB option, which users will be required to pay $0.99 per month, which converts to KES 127.

In my opinion, the pricing feels fairly reasonable, especially for users here in Kenya, but it is still going to be a stretch for some people, and not everyone is willing to pay for extra storage, particularly when they are already managing other subscriptions or tight data budgets.

That said, these are still early details, and there is a good chance Meta could adjust the pricing before the feature officially rolls out. So for now, it is best to treat this as tentative information rather than something set in stone.

Comparison: WhatsApp Cloud vs. Google Drive vs. iCloud

To make things easy to understand, we have to compare what WhatsApp could offer with its rumored cloud storage against the current backup option on Google Drive and iCloud.

Each comes with its own trade-offs in terms of storage limits, privacy, and overall convenience.

So a quick side-by-side comparison makes it easier to see which solution might actually work best for everyday users.

Technical Specs & Comparisons

Feature	WhatsApp Cloud (Rumored)	Google Drive (Android)	Apple iCloud (iOS)
Free Storage Tier	2GB (Dedicated to chats)	15GB (Shared across account)	5GB (Shared across account)
Expected Paid Tier	50GB for $0.99/mo	100GB for $1.99/mo	50GB for $0.99/mo
End-to-End Encryption	Default	Optional (Needs manual setup)	Optional (Advanced Data Protection)
Unlocking Method	Passkey, Password, 64-digit Key	Tied to Google Account	Tied to Apple ID

Conclusion

The real question is, should you switch? When you switch, you are going to free up Google and Apple space, enhance default encryption, and potentially create a cheap 50GB tier.

At the end of the day, if a user handles highly sensitive information or is constantly battling for Google Drive or Apple space, then making the switch to WhatsApp's native cloud is a no-brainer once it rolls out of beta

Can you pay $0.99 dlars for the 50GB version? Let me know down in the comments