The world’s most popular and widely used instant messaging and chat application, WhatsApp, is officially solving one of the biggest problems for users who frequently change their phones. According to this new update, the app will now have its own contact list, ensuring that users won’t lose their contacts when switching devices. Here are the details and what you need to know…

WhatsApp introduces its own contact list!

As you know, WhatsApp currently pulls its contact list from your phone’s local contacts, which could cause significant issues for users who change phones, forget to back up, or use multiple WhatsApp accounts on the same device. However, with Meta’s latest announcement, this problem is set to become a thing of the past.

This new feature will first be available on WhatsApp Web and the Windows application. According to Meta, the feature will also be rolled out to other linked devices in the near future.

Meta is also introducing a new encryption technology called IPLS (Identity Proof Linked Storage) to prioritize user security. This technology will ensure that the names and numbers in your contacts are encrypted and can only be viewed by the user.

Company spokesperson Jessica Maskell also announced that an even bigger change is on the way following this update. Soon, users will be able to create a WhatsApp account without a phone number, as a username system will be implemented. This move mirrors a feature offered by competitor apps like Signal, integrating it into WhatsApp’s ecosystem.

These updates reflect WhatsApp’s commitment to both user privacy and ease of use. The ability to create an account without a phone number is expected to be a major draw for users concerned with privacy.

What do you think about this development? Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments!