WhatsApp has announced a new feature that allows users to manage their contacts within the app, making it easier for them to save numbers without worrying about losing them when changing phones.
WhatsApp typically relies on the smartphone’s address book to store and manage contacts, which can be problematic for users who lose their devices or do not back up their numbers.
The new feature allows users to save contacts across WhatsApp Web and the Windows version, with promises from Meta to be able to use it on other connected devices in the future. The new storage technology, known as Identity Proof Linked Storage (IPLS), encrypts names and numbers, ensuring that only the user can access them.
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A WhatsApp spokesperson said that the feature will be followed by a new system based on usernames, eliminating the need for phone numbers. It is worth noting that some other encrypted apps like Signal have also added the option to use the app without requiring a phone number.
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