WhatsApp is set to introduce a significant update in how it manages contacts. Until now, WhatsApp has relied on your phone’s contacts to sync and display users. However, this has caused challenges for users who lose their phones without backups or for those sharing a device or managing multiple accounts on one device.
New Feature: Save Contacts Within WhatsApp
Fortunately, WhatsApp has introduced a built-in contact manager. This new feature will allow users to save contacts directly within the app, eliminating the risk of losing them when switching phones.
The first step in rolling out this feature is allowing contacts to be saved on WhatsApp Web and Windows versions. Eventually, Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, aims to extend this feature to all linked devices.
Privacy-Focused Storage Technology
To ensure the security of stored contacts, WhatsApp is using a new technology called Identity Proof Linked Storage (IPLS). According to Meta, this system encrypts the names and numbers and restricts access exclusively to the user, thus safeguarding user privacy.
Username System to Eliminate Phone Number Dependency
Looking ahead, Meta plans to introduce a username system, enabling users to use WhatsApp without tying their accounts to a phone number. This change is set to offer greater flexibility and enhance user convenience.