WhatsApp is testing an iPhone backup destination picker that could give users an alternative to iCloud.
WhatsApp is testing a first-party cloud backup option for iPhone chat history that would give users an alternative to iCloud, but iCloud remains the default for now and the feature is not yet working for beta testers. The option shows up in WhatsApp for iOS beta 26.28.10.16 through TestFlight, where code points to a backup destination picker inside chat backup settings. For WhatsApp-heavy iPhone users, the practical goal is straightforward: a separate backup path for chats without depending only on Apple’s storage tier.
Beta code adds an iPhone backup destination inside WhatsApp settings
The new setting is not in stable WhatsApp yet, and beta testers cannot use it as a live backup tool. What the code shows is a destination selector inside chat backup settings, which would let users choose where their iPhone chat history is stored. That is a notable shift from the current setup, where WhatsApp backups on iPhone go to iCloud by default.
The timing is still open. WhatsApp has not set a launch window, and the feature should be treated as in development rather than as an imminent release. Even so, the presence of the picker in a named TestFlight build gives a clearer picture of where the product is heading than a generic rumor would.
The storage tiers WhatsApp is testing
WhatsApp’s plan includes 2GB of free storage on its own servers and a paid 50GB tier priced at about $0.99 per month. A 1TB option is also mentioned, but it is not finalized. For iPhone users, that would mean WhatsApp chats could move off the cramped 5GB iCloud free tier and onto a separate WhatsApp storage bucket, with enough free space to cover light backups and a paid plan for heavier use.
The backups would be end-to-end encrypted by default. Encryption cannot be turned off, which makes the setup different from typical cloud storage products where security settings can vary by account or plan. In practical terms, that means the backup path is being built around privacy from the start rather than adding it later as an optional setting.
Passkeys, passwords, and recovery options
WhatsApp is also lining up several ways to secure the backup. Passkeys are the preferred option, but passwords and 64-digit encryption keys are supported too. That gives users different recovery paths depending on how they already manage account security.
The backup flow is still not fully spelled out, especially for people who already rely on iCloud. It is not clear whether migration from existing iCloud backups will be automatic, manual, or a one-time transfer. What is clear is that WhatsApp is trying to make the feature usable for more than one type of operator, from passkey-first users to people who still rely on a password and key they can store separately.
Why this matters for heavy iPhone users
The real pressure point is iCloud’s 5GB free tier. For people who use WhatsApp heavily, especially with media-rich threads and long-running group chats, that limit can fill quickly. A first-party WhatsApp backup path would give iPhone users a dedicated place for chat storage and reduce dependence on Apple’s free allotment.
Whether WhatsApp will eventually support restore between iPhone and Android is still unresolved. The Android backup work is separate, and WhatsApp has not said how or when either backup system will roll out. For now, the useful takeaway is narrower and more immediate: WhatsApp is building an encrypted backup alternative that could ease iCloud pressure, but it is still in beta and not ready for regular users.
Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only.
About the author
Samarth Agrawal is an AI and technology professional who writes about WhatsApp, automation, and emerging AI trends. He focuses on simplifying complex tech updates into practical insights for businesses, creators, and everyday users
