Google Adds WhatsApp Backup Controls in Play Services 26.23 as Android 17 Rollout Expands
Updated
Updated · Android Authority · Jun 18
Google Adds WhatsApp Backup Controls in Play Services 26.23 as Android 17 Rollout Expands
3 articles · Updated · Android Authority · Jun 18
Summary
Play services 26.23 adds a new option to manage WhatsApp chat backups directly from Android device settings, instead of keeping those controls buried inside WhatsApp.
Settings > System > Backup is expected to host the page, likely exposing familiar options such as backup account, frequency, included data, and cellular or Wi-Fi preferences.
The update is not yet widely available, but Google says it is rolling out to eligible devices in the coming days; the changelog also cites improved Google Contacts sync and Wallet transaction history views.
The change lands alongside this week’s Android 17 stable release and June 2026 Pixel Drop, a broader feature push that also introduced app Bubbles for multitasking.