WhatsApp offers a password-free way to instantly secure your chat backups. The messaging platform offers encrypted backups with Passkey for iOS and Android. This feature allows users to quickly encrypt their saved message history using their face, fingerprint, or device screen lock code.

According to WhatsApp, the update will roll out “gradually over the coming weeks and months” and will make it easier to implement the same security measures to protect private chats and calls in backups. End-to-end encryption for backups was already available in 2021, but WhatsApp users were required to store a 64-digit encryption key or create an associated passcode.

Passkey, a login technology that replaces passwords with an authentication system built into your device, such as facial recognition, eliminates these tedious steps. Instead, users can log in to their accounts or secure their data by tapping or looking at their devices. WhatsApp introduced password support for account logins in 2023. This latest password expansion is a sign that the platform is taking steps toward a future that will eliminate passwords entirely. “Many of us store years of precious memories in our WhatsApp chats: photos, heartfelt voice notes, and important conversations,” WhatsApp said in its announcement. “So if you lose your phone or need to move to a new device, it’s crucial to keep them safe.”