WhatsApp is developing a new feature that could give Android users greater control over chat backups and storage management, according to a report by WABetaInfo.
The feature is currently under development and has not yet been released to beta testers.
The planned update comes as WhatsApp continues to expand its backup infrastructure. Earlier this year, reports suggested the messaging platform was testing its own cloud backup service as an alternative to Google Drive, potentially allowing users to choose where their chat histories are stored. The proposed service is expected to offer up to 2GB of free storage, alongside paid storage options, although WhatsApp has not officially confirmed those plans.
The latest development focuses on improving the management of existing backups on Android devices. According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is working on a dedicated backup management section within the application that would allow users to view stored backups and remove outdated or duplicate copies that may be consuming storage space.
Currently, WhatsApp stores Android chat backups on Google Drive, with the data not counting against a user’s Google account storage quota. Users can perform manual backups or schedule automatic backups, while restoring data requires the same phone number and Google account used during the backup process.
The reported feature comes shortly after Google introduced new system-level backup controls for WhatsApp on June 15. The update allows Android users to manage WhatsApp backups directly through device settings without opening the messaging application.
According to the report, WhatsApp’s upcoming backup management tools could integrate with these Android-level controls by providing shortcuts to Google Drive storage management and backup settings, creating a more streamlined experience for users seeking to monitor or free up storage used by chat backups.
WhatsApp has not announced a timeline for the public release of the feature.
