Enabling or disabling end-to-end encrypted backup in WhatsApp is a straightforward process, but understanding its implications is crucial for making an informed decision. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to enable or disable this feature, as well as discuss its significance for your privacy.
What is End-to-End Encrypted Backup
End-to-end encryption is a security measure that ensures only the sender and receiver can read the messages. It prevents intermediaries, including service providers and hackers, from accessing the message content. In the context of WhatsApp, end-to-end encryption has been a fundamental feature since its inception, ensuring that your conversations are secure and private.
The introduction of end-to-end encrypted backup takes this security to the next level by encrypting your chat backups stored on cloud services like Google Drive or iCloud. This means that even if someone gains unauthorized access to your cloud storage, they won’t be able to decipher your chat history without the encryption key, which is stored only on your device.
How to Enable End-to-End Encryption in WhatsApp Backups?
First, let’s learn how to enable end-to-end encryption in WhatsApp backups. Once you enable E2EE on your WhatsApp account, it will be applied to both, local and cloud backups.
- Open Settings on your WhatsApp
- Now go to Chats settings
- Tap Chat Backups
- Scroll down and go to the End-to-end encrypted backup menu
- Turn on the End-to-end encryption
For iOS Users: After turning on the Encryption Click Create after setting up the password
- Follow the step-by-step procedure to set up an encryption password
Note: Users can also use their 64-digit encryption key.
That’s all! Your WhatsApp chats are encrypted and you can rest assured that no third party can set their feet on your secure backups.
But if you are shifting devices and want to use WhatsApp on another phone, what can you do? Here’s the solution:
How to Disable End-to-End Encryption on WhatsApp?
Well, you can simply enter your password to restore the backup but if you just want to ensure seamless shifting, here’s how you can disable end-to-end encryption in WhatsApp.
But before you disable end-to-end encryption in backup, here are a few things to note:
- Disabling E2EE in WhatsApp backup makes your chat more vulnerable to online spillage.
- If you forget your password for end-to–To-End encryption and log out, you will need to wipe all your WhatsApp chat data.
- WhatsApp can’t send you a copy of your password, reset your password, or restore your backup for you.
Now that we know the potential risk of disabling end-to-end encryption in backups, here is how you can disable it.
Disable End-to-End Encryption in WhatsApp:
- Go to Settings on your WhatsApp
- Now enter in the Chats Settings
- Tap Chat Backups
- Go to the End-to-end encrypted backup menu at the bottom
- Tap Turn Off the End-to-end encryption
- You will be asked to enter your encryption password or 64-digit key, depending on what you have used during set-up
This will turn off the end-to-end encryption on your WhatsApp account. In case you forgot your password, here’s how you can change the password on End-To-End encrypted backup in WhatsApp.
How To Change End-To-End Encryption Password In WhatsApp?
Now, it’s only human to forget the passwords and WhatsApp understands that so they have provided us with an easy way to change the end-to-end encryption password on WhatsApp.
- Go to your End-To-End Encryption Settings
- Here tap Change Password
- Then go to I forgot my password here you will be asked to verify your identity using fingerprint, Face ID, or your device PIN.
- Once verified now you can create a new password for your encrypted backup.
Conclusion:
End-to-end encrypted backup in WhatsApp offers enhanced privacy protection for your chat history. By following the simple steps outlined in this guide, you can easily enable or disable this feature according to your preferences. Stay informed, stay secure, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your conversations are protected.