WhatsApp typically uses the smartphone’s address book to manage contacts. However, this can pose issues for users who lose their device without backing up their contacts, share phones, or manage multiple accounts with distinct contacts on a single device.
To address this issue, WhatsApp has introduced a new feature: a built-in contact manager. This feature allows you to save contacts directly within the app, ensuring they remain accessible even if you switch phones.
Initially, you will be able to save contacts on WhatsApp Web and Windows, and Meta indicates that this feature will “eventually” extend to other linked devices.
WhatsApp employs a new “privacy-preserving” storage technology known as Identity Proof Linked Storage (IPLS), which, according to Meta, encrypts names and numbers, ensuring they are only accessible to the user.
Furthermore, WhatsApp has announced that this new contact feature will precede the introduction of a new username system that will eliminate the need for phone numbers.