How To Enable and Disable the End-to-End Encryption Backup on WhatsApp?

WhatsApp chats are already protected with end-to-end encryption, but what about your chat backups? To ensure your message/chat history remains completely private, WhatsApp offers the option to encrypt your cloud backups (Google Drive or iCloud) with this end-to-end encryption. This protects your backed-up message history from unauthorized access. In this guide, we will provide step-by-step instructions on how to turn on and off end-to-end encrypted backups on WhatsApp. Read on to get a clear idea of this End-to-End encryption backup security feature. 

What’s this WhatsApp End-to-End Encryption Backup

By default, WhatsApp applies end-to-end encryption to messages, meaning only the sender and receiver can read them (no one in between). However, this protection did not extend to WhatsApp backups stored in the cloud (Google account or iCloud), which means they can potentially access the data until 2021. Then Meta introduced backup encryption as an extra layer of protection (for WhatsApp safety and privacy) using a unique 64-digit key stored on your device. Users can either save the 64-digit key or set a custom password to access their WhatsApp backups.

When enabled, chat history is encrypted before being uploaded to the cloud, ensuring that cloud storage providers, or even hackers cannot access or decrypt your data. Thus, it safeguards and protects your data from unauthorized access. However, this encryption for chat backups is not enabled by default and must be activated manually. This makes most users remain unaware of how to activate this end-to-end encryption for their chat backups.

Let’s get into the details of how to encrypt your WhatsApp backup… 

#Video Tutorial – For How to Encrypt WhatsApp Backup

How to Enable End-to-End Encrypted Backup?

If you want to add an extra layer of security, follow this detailed procedure explaining how to turn on end-to-end encrypted backups on WhatsApp:

• Open WhatsApp on your smartphone (Android or iPhone).
• On Android: Tap the three vertical dots (⋮) in the top-right corner and select Settings. On iPhone: Tap Settings at the bottom right corner.

• Tap Chats -> Chat Backup.
• Scroll down and tap End-to-end encrypted backup.

• Tap Turn on at the end of the screen.

• Follow the prompts to create a password or use a 64-digit encryption key.
  • If using a password, tap Create Password, and enter at least seven characters, including one letter.
  • Tap on Next and re-enter the password to confirm.
  • Then tap Next to create and save the password for your chat backup.
• Tap Create to initiate the encryption process.
• If choosing the 64-digit key, long-press and copy it to a secure location.
• Finally, tap Create or Generate.

Note:

• For Android users, enable automatic backup by selecting Back up to Google Drive (choose either Daily, Weekly, or Monthly). If doing initially, you need to authorize Google Drive access via the Google account.

• For iPhone users, ensure Auto Backup is turned on and set to Daily, Weekly, or Monthly for your WhatsApp backups to iCloud.
• It’s important to remember your password as it will be required to restore your encrypted backup in the future.

Additional Security Method for iPhone Users:

Alternatively, secure your WhatsApp chat backup by enabling Advanced Data Protection for iCloud. Apple allows its users to completely back up their device’s data to iCloud, meaning WhatsApp data is backed up to iCloud as part of its regular backup. 

1. Go to Settings -> iCloud -> Advanced Data Protection.
2. Enable Advanced Data Protection for iCloud.

This method adds encryption keys to Apple’s KeyChain (a built-in password manager) and synchronizes them across all your Apple devices, simplifying backup restoration. Thus, you can access the encrypted backups easily without manually entering the key. 

How to Disable End-to-End Encrypted Backup?

For those who can’t remember their password, simply disabling this E2E encrypted backup is the best option. Here is a detailed procedure that lets you know how to turn off end-to-end encrypted backups:

1. Open WhatsApp and go to Settings.
2. Tap Chats -> Chat Backup.
3. Scroll down and tap End-to-end encrypted backup.
4. Tap Turn off.
5. Enter your 64-digit encryption key or password.
6. Then tap Next -> confirm by tapping Turn off -> Done.

Note: If iPhones have iCloud device backups enabled, your WhatsApp chat history will still be included automatically in the overall device backup. Remember that you can turn on end-to-end encrypted backup at any time.

#Video Tutorial – For How to Disable E2E Encrypted Backup on WhatsApp

What If You Forget Your Backup Password?

This is the worst-case scenario. The password or encrypted key is the only way for you to access your encrypted backup or transfer it to a new device. Unfortunately, if you forget your password and lose access to your phone, there is no way that WhatsApp can’t reset your password or restore your backup. However, you can still remove encryption from your WhatsApp backup, as this key is stored in your phone locally and can be accessed using your authentication. 

You must either remember your password or have access to your existing WhatsApp chats. WhatsApp warns that without either, your backup is inaccessible. Follow these steps to change it:

1. Go to Settings -> Chats -> Chat Backup -> End-to-end encrypted backup.
2. Tap Change Password.
3. Select I forgot my password (or I lost my encryption key).
4. Verify your identity using biometrics or device PIN.
5. Create a new password/encryption key.

Password Attempts and Recovery Options

• Users can attempt their password for a total of five times before being temporarily locked out.
• If you don’t restore a backup, it remains available for future access if WhatsApp is reinstalled on another device.
• You can change your password as long as you have access to your WhatsApp account, current password, or encryption key.
• The WhatsApp backup isn’t accessible if you don’t have your password or encryption key. 
• WhatsApp can’t recover or reset your password or encryption key, nor can they restore your backup for you. 

Note: Securely store your WhatsApp backup password or encryption key to recover your data. 

Is It Necessary to Enable End-to-End Encryption on WhatsApp Backups?

It is not mandatory, but if you are concerned about privacy and fear unauthorized access by cloud providers (Google Drive and iCloud), enabling this feature adds an extra layer of security.

Difference Between End-to-End Encrypted Messages & Backups

• End-to-End Encrypted Messages: Protects messages exchanged between users, making them readable only by the intended recipient. Unlike backups, end-to-end encryption on messages is enabled by default.
• End-to-End Encrypted Backups: Encrypts backup data (chat messages and media) stored in Google Drive or iCloud is password protected, ensuring no third party can access it.

FAQs:

Conclusion

Enabling end-to-end encryption for WhatsApp backups is an essential step in securing your chat history from unauthorized access. However, it requires careful handling of passwords or encryption keys, as WhatsApp cannot recover lost access. Whether enabling or disabling this feature, users should take the necessary precautions to safeguard their data.

If you still have any queries on this topic, feel free to share them with us in the comments section below. We will respond promptly to resolve them.