WhatsApp on Tuesday announced a new feature that will allow users to save their contacts within the app. This means that even if you lose your phone or link a new device to your primary number, you'll still see all your contacts stored in WhatsApp's cloud storage.
Until now, WhatsApp relied on your phone's contacts book to sync your contacts. If a new person messages you on the app and you want to save their details, that information will be saved locally on your device.
This new feature is coming soon and will allow you to save your contacts on any device, including the web and WhatsApp for Windows. You can also choose to sync contacts saved within WhatsApp to your phone.
Last year, the company started allowing users to log into two WhatsApp accounts on one device. Storing contacts linked to one WhatsApp account is useful if you want to keep your personal and business contacts separate. Additionally, when you share your device with others, you can manage their own contact list linked to your number.
WhatsApp said it has developed a new encrypted storage system called Identity Proof Linked Storage (IPLS) to enable secure storage of contacts. When a user saves a contact, the system generates an encryption key on the device. Acquisition is based on the client authenticating the primary device identity.
Additionally, the app partners with Cloudflare to sign changes to the encrypted properties of your directory. According to Meta, this step ensures that no one has edited your contacts stored on WhatsApp.
The company said the technology behind the contact storage feature will allow users to save contacts by username.
“WhatsApp usernames give you an extra layer of privacy, eliminating the need to share your phone number when you message someone,” the company said in a blog post.
This feature has been in development for some time. In May 2023, a WABetaInfo report highlighted that WhatsApp is working on introducing usernames to the app. WhatsApp rivals Signal and Telegram both offer a way for users to share their username with someone without sharing their contact details.