How to Enable End-To-End Encryption in WhatsApp on Android?
WhatsApp is known for its secure end-to-end encryption. While everything you send or receive is encrypted, your chat backup is not. Backups are either stored locally on your device or in the cloud. Thankfully, WhatsApp allows users to create encrypted backups from within the app.
Every message you send on WhatsApp, whether it’s a photo, video, document, voice message, or simple text, is end-to-end encrypted. You don’t need to enable anything explicitly; this feature is enabled by default. Additionally, WhatsApp’s vast appeal largely stems from its focus on privacy, and it is no surprise that end-to-end encryption has played a significant role in building trust among its users.
When you send a message on WhatsApp, it is encrypted on your device and can only be decrypted on the recipient’s device. Not even WhatsApp has access to the content of your messages. You can also verify that your conversations are end-to-end encrypted by checking the unique 60-digit security code with your contacts.
If you wish to verify that your contact is end-to-end encrypted, follow these steps:
- Open WhatsApp, locate the individual chat, and open it.
- Tap on the contact’s name to open the contact info screen.
- Locate “Encryption” and tap on it to view the automatic verification notice, QR code, and a 60-digit number for manual verification.
What to Do Before Encrypting Your WhatsApp Backup?
When it comes to encryption on WhatsApp, there is a minor loophole: your Google Drive and iCloud backups for WhatsApp are not encrypted by default. This means they could potentially be used to retrieve your older chats. To address this, you have the option to enable end-to-end encryption for your account’s backup within WhatsApp settings.
To encrypt your WhatsApp backup, you will need to set a password containing at least six characters, including one letter. Alternatively, you can choose to use a 64-digit encryption key. However, it is important to note that if you lose access to either of these verification methods, you will also lose access to the encrypted backup.
If you lose your password or encryption key but are still logged into WhatsApp, you have the option to create a new backup that is not encrypted.
How to Encrypt Your WhatsApp Backup?
The option to encrypt WhatsApp chat backups is disabled by default. To enable end-to-end encryption on WhatsApp, follow these steps:
- Open WhatsApp and tap the three vertical dots in the menu icon located in the top-right corner.
- Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
- Scroll down and find Chats, then tap on it.
- Choose Chat Backup from the options.
- At the bottom of the page, locate and tap on End-to-end encrypted backup.
- When prompted, tap Turn on to enable the feature.
- You will then have the option to either create a password or use a 64-digit encryption key.
- If you choose the encryption key, WhatsApp will generate a unique 64-digit key for you. Make sure to copy and securely store this key in a safe location for future use.
Should You Turn on Encryption in WhatsApp Backups?
While it is always recommended to encrypt your data, the major caveat in this context is that if you lose access to your encryption key or forget your password, a lot of your sensitive data may become permanently inaccessible, even if it remains securely stored in the cloud. This is a risk that many people may not be willing to take. Additionally, there is always the possibility of compatibility issues when transferring WhatsApp’s local backups across devices.
On the other hand, account breaches are becoming increasingly common. If someone gains access to your account details and manages to obtain your SIM’s OTP, your entire WhatsApp data could fall into the wrong hands. Encrypted backups provide an added layer of protection and peace of mind. This feature is particularly recommended for users who have incredibly sensitive data on their accounts and require an extra level of authentication when retrieving older chats and data.
