WhatsApp is testing its own cloud storage for chat backups

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Managing backups on WhatsApp has become harder as chat history and media files keep growing. On Android, backups are tied to Google Drive, while iPhone users rely on iCloud.

In both cases, that storage is shared with photos, videos, and other app data, which means WhatsApp backups can quickly take up a large portion of available space. Once the limit is reached, users have to either clear storage or pay for more.

According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp now appears to be working on a way around that.

A new backup option is in development

Instead of relying only on Google Drive or iCloud, users may get the option to choose where their backups go. The company is testing its own cloud storage as an alternative, giving users more control over how their data is managed.

This feature is still under development, though it suggests a shift away from depending entirely on third-party services.

Backups stored on WhatsApp’s own servers are expected to remain end-to-end encrypted by default. Users would be able to choose how they secure their backups, with options like passkeys, passwords, or a 64-digit encryption key.

Storage limits and possible pricing

Early details indicate that WhatsApp could offer up to 2GB of free storage for backups on its own cloud. It’s not clear if this will be available to everyone or tied to a subscription.

There’s also talk of a bigger storage tier, somewhere around 50GB, which could be priced close to $0.99. Since this is all coming from early testing, both the pricing and storage limits could still change before anything rolls out widely.

If this feature makes it to a stable release, it would give users another option instead of relying entirely on Google Drive or iCloud. Backups wouldn’t have to compete with other files for space, which is one of the main issues right now.

For now, though, this is still under development. WhatsApp is expected to test it in stages before rolling it out more broadly.

Would you switch to WhatsApp’s own cloud for backups, or stick with Google Drive and iCloud? Let us know in the comments below.

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