WhatsApp recently unveiled a new feature that allows users to save contacts directly within the app. This feature ensures that all contacts are securely stored in WhatsApp’s cloud storage, even if your phone is lost or if you switch to a new device.
Previously, WhatsApp relied on syncing contacts from your phone’s contact book. Any new contacts saved on the app were stored locally on your device. With the upcoming feature, contacts can be saved on any device where WhatsApp is used, including WhatsApp for the web and Windows, with the option to sync them to your phone.
Last year, WhatsApp introduced the ability to log into two accounts on one device, making it convenient for users to keep personal and business contacts separate. This new contact-saving feature aligns with that strategy and allows for maintaining separate contact lists on shared devices.
To ensure secure contact saving, WhatsApp has developed a new encrypted storage system called Identity Proof Linked Storage (IPLS). This system generates an encryption key on the device when a contact is saved, and the retrieval process is tied to authenticating the device’s primary identity.
In collaboration with Cloudflare, WhatsApp also verifies any changes to a user’s contact directory to prevent unauthorized edits. This added security measure assures users that their saved contacts remain unaltered.
Furthermore, WhatsApp’s upcoming feature will introduce the option to save contacts by usernames, enhancing user privacy by eliminating the need to share phone numbers when messaging someone.
This feature has been in development for some time and was highlighted in a report by WABetaInfo last year. WhatsApp’s move towards allowing usernames follows the practice of rivals like Signal and Telegram, offering users a way to share contact information without revealing personal phone numbers.
