Arattai's Big Update: Is It Safer Than WhatsApp Now? 🤫 New E2EE Feature Explained!
Hello, friends! If you're looking for a "Made in India" messaging app that prioritizes your privacy, you've definitely heard of Arattai. Developed by Zoho Corporation, this app has been trying to establish itself as a solid desi alternative to WhatsApp for quite some time.
However, every privacy-conscious user had one major question: "Does Arattai have End-to-End Encryption (E2EE)?" Until recently, for text chats, the answer was "No." But everything changed in November 2025 when Arattai rolled out a massive update.
In this post, we'll dive deep into how Arattai's new encryption feature works, what happens to your old conversations, and most importantly—has it finally become safer than WhatsApp in terms of security? Let's dive in!
Table of Contents (What's in This Article?)
The Big News: Arattai Finally Gets E2EE (What's Changed?)
After a long wait, Zoho has announced that Arattai will now use mandatory End-to-End Encryption (E2EE) for all direct 1-on-1 chats. This update began rolling out in mid-November 2025.
What is End-to-End Encryption?
In simple terms, E2EE means that when you send a message to someone, it gets "locked" as soon as it leaves your phone. It can only be "unlocked" once it reaches the recipient's device. No one in between—not even Arattai/Zoho's servers, government agencies, or hackers—can read that message.
Previously, Arattai only had "Client-to-Server" encryption, which meant Zoho theoretically held the key to decrypt your messages. With this new update, that key will now exist only on your device and the recipient's.
How Does the New Encryption Work?
This update works a little differently compared to other apps. There are some important conditions you should be aware of.
The "Both Must Update" Rule
Arattai's E2EE will only activate when both the sender and receiver are using the latest version of the app. If you've updated but your friend hasn't, your chat will not be encrypted.
- Android Users: Version 1.33.6 or higher is required.
- iOS Users: Version 1.17.23 or higher is required.
If both of you are on the latest version, the system will automatically enforce E2EE. You cannot turn it off.
What Happens to Old Chats?
This is perhaps the most confusing part of the update. Instead of making existing chats encrypted, Arattai has adopted a new system.
Once you and your contact have both updated, Arattai will archive your old (non-encrypted) chat thread and open a brand new, end-to-end encrypted chat window for that contact.
This means:
- You can still view your old chat history in the archived section.
- However, you cannot send new messages in that old thread.
- All new conversations will happen in the new, encrypted window.
While this might be a bit inconvenient, Arattai states this fresh start is necessary to ensure complete security.
Arattai vs. WhatsApp: The Ultimate Safety Comparison (Who's Safer?)
Now, let's get to the main point. Is the new Arattai safer than WhatsApp? Let's compare:
1. Personal (1-on-1) Chats
- WhatsApp: Has had default E2EE for years.
- Arattai (New): Now has default E2EE (provided both users are on the updated version).
- Verdict: Tie. Both are equally safe for personal chats.
2. Group Chats
- WhatsApp: Group chats are also fully end-to-end encrypted.
- Arattai: E2EE for group chats hasn't arrived yet. Zoho has stated it will be coming in the "coming weeks."
- Verdict: WhatsApp Wins. If you use groups frequently, WhatsApp remains more secure for now.
3. Voice & Video Calls
- WhatsApp: Fully Encrypted.
- Arattai: Fully Encrypted (this feature existed previously).
- Verdict: Tie.
4. Data Localization (Where Are the Servers?)
This is Arattai's biggest advantage. WhatsApp (Meta) stores most of its data on servers in the US and other countries. Arattai's data is stored on servers located in India. For many users concerned with privacy laws, this is a significant factor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions users are asking:
Q1: Will I need to change any settings to turn on E2EE?
Ans: No. If you and your contact are both on the latest app version, it will turn on automatically. It's mandatory.
Q2: Will my old messages become encrypted?
Ans: No. Old messages will be archived as they were (server-side encrypted). Only new messages will be E2EE.
Q3: What if my friend has an old phone that can't be updated?
Ans: According to Arattai, if the other person cannot update, you will only be able to communicate with them in the old (non-encrypted) way for a few days. After that, E2EE will become mandatory system-wide.
The Missing Piece: Group Chats Encryption
As we discussed above, the biggest drawback in Arattai's new update is that group chats are not yet fully secure. Apps like WhatsApp and Signal have groups that are secure by default.
Zoho's CEO, Sridhar Vembu, has confirmed that work on Group E2EE is in progress and will be rolled out in the coming weeks. Until that happens, it would be technically incorrect to call Arattai "safer than WhatsApp."
How to Check if Your Chat is Encrypted
It's very easy to check if your current chat is secure.
- Open the Arattai app and go into any chat window.
- Look at the top bar, where the contact's name is displayed.
- If you see a small Shield Icon (🛡️), it means your chat is End-to-End Encrypted.
If the shield icon is not there, immediately go to the Play Store/App Store to update the app and ask your friend to do the same!
Conclusion
So, what's the verdict on Arattai's new update? It's a huge and necessary step forward. A "Made in India" app providing global-standard security is commendable.
Is it safer than WhatsApp now?
The answer is: Almost, but not quite yet.
For personal chats, Arattai is now on par with WhatsApp in terms of safety. And if you're concerned about "Data Sovereignty" (ensuring your data remains in India), Arattai is actually a better choice than WhatsApp.
However, until encryption for group chats arrives, WhatsApp is still ahead in the overall security package. If you use Arattai, make sure to update it immediately; it's crucial for your privacy!
Quick Summary: Arattai Security Status (Nov 2025)
| Feature | Status | Important Note |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Chat (Text) | ✅ Encrypted (New!) | Requires both users to have updated the app. Old chat will be archived. |
| Group Chat | ❌ Not Encrypted Yet | Expected to be added in the coming weeks. |
| Voice/Video Calls | ✅ Encrypted | This feature was already secure. |