WhatsApp is a great way to stay in touch with your friends and family. It comes with tons of useful features, tips and tricks by default. You can send/receive messages, documents, photos, videos, contacts, live locations and more. But, there was one major problem with WhatsApp related to chats backup that has been fixed now with the latest update. Yes, we’re talking about end-to-end encrypted backup. In this tutorial, we will show you a step-by-step method on how to enable end-to-end encrypted backup on WhatsApp and protect your chats from hackers.
Related: How to Move Your WhatsApp Group Chats to Signal App
What is End-to-End Encrypted Backup
To understand end-to-end encrypted backup, we first need to understand what is end-to-end encryption. The feature end-to-end encryption uses an algorithm (or a set of algorithms) to secure your messages between sender and receiver. It prevents any third-party user or middle person (eg. Hackers) from altering or modifying the original messages. Similarly, you can enable end-to-end encrypted backup and secure WhatsApp messages with a password or use a 64-bit encryption key to prevent hackers from accessing the actual content inside the backup.
Although I want to point out that 64-bit encryption is more secure than using a password.
How to Enable End-to-End Encrypted Backup on WhatsApp
Step 1: First, update your WhatsApp to the latest version from Google Play Store or Apple Appstore.
Step 2: Launch WhatsApp on your smartphone.
Step 3: Tap on vertical three dots from the top right corner and open Settings.
Step 4: Then, tap on Chats from the top second option.
Step 4: Tap on Chat backup.
Step 5: Now select End-to-end encrypted backup.
Step 6: Tap on “TURN ON“. You can choose either Create Password or use a 64-digit encryption key instead.
Step 7: Select the 64-digit encryption option (if you want to increase the security of your backup).
Step 8: Then, tap Generate your 64-digit key and save the copy of it somewhere you don’t forget. You can also take a screenshot and save this code on your smartphone.
Step 9: Tap Continue and confirm it by tapping on “I Saved My 64-digit Key“.
Step 10: Lastly, click Create to encrypt your backup.
Note that if you forget your encryption password or key, no one will be able to restore the backup, not even WhatsApp.
How to Disable End-to-End Encrypted Backup:
Step 1: Open WhatsApp on your smartphone.
Step 2: Go to Settings from three vertical dots.
Step 3: Select Chats and tap on Chat backup.
Step 4: Tap on End-to-end encrypted backup and select Turn Off to disable end-to-end encrypted backup.
How to Restore Encrypted Backup on WhatsApp
You can easily restore the encrypted WhatsApp backup on your smartphone. Here’s how
Step 1: First, download and open WhatsApp on your smartphone.
Step 2: Select Agree and Continue option.
Step 3: Enter your mobile number and tap Next.
Step 4: Select Ok on the popup message. Then, it will verify your mobile number.
Step 5: Choose any one verification method and allow the permissions. Then, it will verify your mobile number.
Step 6: WhatsApp will automatically verify your mobile number. In case if it doesn’t, you can enter the OTP manually.
Step 7: Enter the PIN, If you have two-step verification enabled. (Optional)
Step 8: Tap on Continue and allow the permissions. Now your device will look for any backups on your device. (Don’t skip this step)
Step 9: Once the backup is detected, tap on the Restore option.
Step 10: Now enter your encryption password (or tap on “I used an encryption key instead”) then select Next.
Step 11: WhatsApp will verify the details automatically. Again, tap Next to enter your name.
Step 11: Once done, tap Next one more time.
Bottom Line
You should always keep this feature on to protect private & personal chats from getting leaked outside on the internet. I hope you like the tutorial on how to enable end-to-end encrypted backup on WhatsApp. If you have any questions or queries, you can ask in the comment box. Until then, read our other articles on WhatsApp:
- How to Run WhatsApp on PC and Android Simultaneously
- How to Identify Unknown Songs From WhatsApp Status or Stories
- 5 New WhatsApp Features You Don’t Know Yet
- How to Block Someone on WhatsApp
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