WhatsApp is making a significant change that will revolutionize how users manage contacts. The app will now feature a built-in contact manager that allows users to store contacts within WhatsApp itself, bypassing the reliance on a smartphone’s address book. This new functionality ensures users won’t lose important contacts if they change phones or lose access to their original device.

For many, managing contacts has always depended on their smartphone’s address book, but this can create challenges for users who share devices, manage multiple accounts, or lose their phone without backing up their contacts. WhatsApp’s new contact-saving feature solves this issue by offering a secure and private way to store contacts within the app.

Initially, the feature will be available on WhatsApp Web and Windows, with plans to roll out across other linked devices. WhatsApp’s contact manager uses Meta's new Identity Proof Linked Storage (IPLS) technology, which ensures that names and numbers are securely encrypted and accessible only to the user. This privacy-preserving technology provides users with peace of mind, knowing their contacts are safe and private.

According to Jessica Maskell, a WhatsApp representative, the new contact-saving functionality will be followed by the introduction of a username system, allowing users to connect without requiring phone numbers—similar to other secure messaging apps like Signal.

This update marks a significant shift in how WhatsApp users manage and safeguard their contacts, offering enhanced flexibility and security with every conversation.