Contacts can be stored directly within WhatsApp, and usernames are teased

WhatsApp has introduced a new feature that allows users to store contacts directly within the app, marking a significant shift from its previous method of relying on a phone’s contact list. This new capability means that, even if you lose your device or connect a new one to your existing WhatsApp account, all your contacts will still be available through WhatsApp’s cloud storage.

Previously, when a new person messaged you on WhatsApp, saving their details meant storing them locally on your phone. Now, with the updated feature, contacts can be saved and accessed across any device, including WhatsApp Web and the Windows app. Users will also have the option to sync the contacts stored in WhatsApp with their phone’s contact list, allowing for greater flexibility and ease of use.

This update follows last year’s rollout allowing users to log into two WhatsApp accounts on one device. The ability to store contacts linked to just one account provides a convenient way to manage personal and business contacts separately, ensuring privacy and organization, particularly if the device is shared with others.

WhatsApp has also prioritized security with this new feature by introducing a technology called Identity Proof Linked Storage (IPLS), which enables secure contact storage. When a contact is saved, an encryption key is generated on the user’s device. To retrieve stored contacts, the device must authenticate itself with its primary identity, ensuring secure access.

Furthermore, WhatsApp has partnered with Cloudflare to enhance security by verifying that no unauthorized changes are made to a user’s stored contacts. This partnership ensures the cryptographic properties of a user’s directory are secure and untouched. Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, stated that these advancements would soon enable saving contacts through usernames rather than phone numbers, enhancing user privacy.

The idea of usernames on WhatsApp has been in development for a while. A report from May 2023 by WABetaInfo indicated that the company had been exploring the concept. This feature would allow users to share a username instead of their phone number, a function that platforms like Telegram and Signal already offer, giving WhatsApp users greater control over their privacy and contact information sharing.