How to back up or restore WhatsApp data

Last Update date : Aug 19. 2021

WhatsApp chats can be backed up using Google Drive and restored to a new Android device. You can back up the messages as well as the media (photos, videos) that you have sent and received.

 

To back up successfully, you will need to ensure the following are in place:

1 Your mobile device must be signed in to Google Drive.
2 Google Play must be installed (only available for Android OS 2.3.4 and higher).
3 Your Google Drive account must have enough space for your all WhatsApp data.
4 Your mobile device must have enough free space to create the backup.

Please note: You can only back up data between devices if they are using the same Operating System. If you delete your account through the WhatsApp settings, it will also remove your backup on Google Drive.

1 Launch the WhatsApp app.

Launch the Whatsapp app

2 Tap the More options icon.

Tap More options

3 Tap "Settings".

Tap Settings

4 Tap "Chats".

Tap Chats

5 Tap "Chat backup".

Tap Chat backup

6 Tap "Back up to Google Drive".

Tap More options

7 Set the backup frequency.

Set the backup frequency

8 Choose an account.

Select an account

9 Tap "Back up".

Tap Back up

Restore your WhatsApp messages and media from Google Drive when you reinstall WhatsApp.

Please note: WhatsApp only allows the option to back up and restore for devices with the same Operating System. This is a function of the WhatsApp application.

1 Download Whatsapp from the Play Store. Skip this step if you have already installed Whatsapp on your device.

Download WhatsApp

2 Once downloaded, tap "Open" or launch WhatsApp on your device.

Tap Open

3 Tap "Agree and continue".

Tap More options

4 Enter your phone number, then tap "Next".

Enter your phone number

5 Tap "OK" to confirm your phone number.

Tap More options

6 WhatsApp will now send a verification code to your device by SMS. Enter the code.

Enter the verification code that the app has sent to your phone vis SMS

7 Tap "Continue" to review WhatsApp access permissions, then tap "Allow" for each request to give permissions.

Tap Continue, then tap Allow to give permission for each request

8 Tap "Restore".

Please note: If you don’t restore now, you won’t be able to restore later.

Tap Restore

9 Tap "Next".

Tap Next

10 Enter your name, then tap "Next".

Enter your name then tap Next

11 Select backup frequency.

Select backup frequency

12 The backup is complete and your chats will now appear in the WhatsApp home screen.

Back up is complete

More information on backing up and restoring your WhatsApp data can be found by referring to WhatsApp's guide How to back up to Google Drive.

Thank you for your feedback!