WhatsApp Tests a New Android Backup System Outside Google Drive

WhatsApp is testing a major change to backups on Android that would let users manage and store backups directly inside the app, separate from Google Drive. According to WABetaInfo, the company is building a dedicated backup section where users could view existing backups, delete old or duplicate copies, and free up storage space.

The new area is also expected to include shortcuts for managing Google Drive storage and for handling WhatsApp backups through Android device settings. At present, WhatsApp on Android saves chat history and media to Google Drive, and those backups count against the user’s Google account storage. Users can back up manually or set automatic backups to run daily, weekly, or monthly.

The report says WhatsApp is considering replacing Google Drive backups with its own internal backup system. That service would reportedly offer only 2GB of free storage, with up to 50GB available for $1 per month. Backups stored on WhatsApp’s servers would be end-to-end encrypted by default, with additional protection options including a passkey, a regular password, or a 64-digit encryption key.

The backup management feature is still in development and is not yet available for beta testing. If it launches publicly, it could offer a cheaper and more convenient alternative for users who currently pay for extra Google storage.