WhatsApp Rolls Out New Contact Storage Feature with Enhanced Privacy

WhatsApp , owned by Meta , has introduced a new feature that allows users to store contact information directly within the app. Along with this, Meta has announced a series of upcoming updates, which will eventually let users save contacts by usernames .

According to Meta’s blog post, this new feature is especially helpful for those who share their phones with others or want to keep personal and business contacts separate. It simplifies the management of multiple WhatsApp accounts on a single device. Additionally, contacts saved in WhatsApp will be automatically backed up to the cloud, making recovery easy if a user loses or resets their phone.

The stored contacts will use a new encryption method called " Identity Proof Linked Storage " (IPLS). Meta claims that IPLS ensures contacts can either be saved locally in WhatsApp or backed up and restored directly through the app. Users will have control over which contacts are synced to the cloud.

Since contacts in WhatsApp are tied to a phone number, they will be accessible on linked devices. WhatsApp will also allow customization of contact lists, especially for those who maintain separate accounts, such as personal and business profiles, on one device.

WhatsApp hinted at future updates that would allow contacts to be managed by usernames instead of phone numbers. Unlike its competitors, Telegram and Signal, WhatsApp has not yet transitioned to usernames. However, reports suggest the company is actively working on the feature, which will enhance privacy and security, although no specific release date has been announced.