11 Easy Ways to Backup WhatsApp Chats and Restore them

Backup WhatsApp will keep your data safe. If you ever switch phones or lose your messages, you can easily restore them with the backup of WhatsApp.

Here are 11 easy ways to backup, restore, or transfer your WhatsApp chats. Keep reading for step-by-step instructions.

What is a WhatsApp Backup?

A WhatsApp backup is a file that contains

• All of your WhatsApp messages (individual & group chats, starred messages, etc.)
• Media (images, videos, voice, etc.)
• Emoji, attachments, etc.

This file can be used to restore your WhatsApp chat history if you ever need to switch to a new phone or lose your current data.

1. How to Backup WhatsApp to Google Drive and Restore them

Google Drive offers unlimited storage for WhatsApp data, and it takes only about 2 minutes to complete the WhatsApp backup.

Steps to backup your WhatsApp chats to Google Drive:

1. Open your WhatsApp and tap on the 3-dot menu icon.
2. Tap Settings > Chats > Chat backup > Back up to Google Drive


WhatsApp chat backup settings

3. Select any backup frequency other than 'Never' from the drop-down list.


Never Backup Whatsapp to Google Drive

4. Tap Google account > Add account if you haven't connected a Google account yet.


Authenticate Gmail account on WhatsApp

5. Turn on Include videos.


Backup WhatsApp videos

6. Click on Back up over to choose what kind of network will be used for the backups. You have two options - WiFi and WiFi or cellular.


Backup WhatsApp to Google Drive

Note: You can also tap End-to-end encrypted backup > Create, then your WhatsApp backup will be secured by a password or 64-digit encryption key.

Here is how to restore your Google Drive WhatsApp Backup:

1. Uninstall WhatsApp.
2. Go to Google Play and install WhatsApp on your Android phone.
3. Open your WhatsApp.
4. Tap Agree and Continue and enter your phone number as requested for verification.


Agree and Continue to Restore WhatsApp Backup Google drive

5. Click Next > Continue > Allow > Restore.


Restore WhatsApp Backup From Google drive

6. All your WhatsApp chats will be restored to your Android phone.

Note: Restoring your WhatsApp via the uninstalling method on Android 11 or later versions will delete your local backup.

2. Backup WhatsApp to PC and Restore to Any Phone (The Easiest Way)

Mobitrix WhatsApp Transfer is a professional tool designed for people who don't want to lose their WhatsApp chats in a phone switch.

This software can backup your WhatsApp messages on Android or iPhone to a PC. Then, you can restore them onto another phone with minimal hassle!

How to Backup WhatsApp to PC and Restore:

1. Launch Mobitrix WhatsAppTransfer. Click Transfer.
2. Connect your Android phone and iPhone to the PC. Click Transfer.
   

   Set up devices to start the WhatsApp transfer

3. Go to WhatsApp Settings and backup chats locally.
   

   Backup WhatsApp chats locally

4. Install the developer version of WhatsApp on your Android phone. Log in and tap Restore.
   

   Restore chats to the developer version of WhatsApp

5. WhatsApp Messages will be copied to the computer, converted, and restored by Mobitrix to your iPhone.
   

   Copy WhatsApp data to the computer

6. Your WhatsApp messages will be transferred from Android to iPhone.
   

   WhatsApp Transferred from Android to iPhone

You can also watch the video guide on how to transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone:

3. How to Restore WhatsApp Backup from Google Drive to iPhone

If you ever backup WhatsApp chats to Google Drive, you'll also be able to use Mobitrix WhatsApp Transfer to download your WhatsApp backup from Google Drive and restore it onto your iPhone.

Steps to restore WhatsApp chats from Google Drive to iPhone:

1. Click Back Up > Backup via Google Drive.


Transfer WhatsApp using Google Drive backup

2. Log into your Google Drive.


Log into your Google Drive

3. Select the backup history you need. Click Continue, and your Google Drive WhatsApp data will be downloaded to the computer right away.


Download Google Drive WhatsApp backup

4. Enter your Country Code and Phone Number. Click Verify.


Verify WhatsApp backup account

5. Once the download is complete, click Restore Now.
   

   Google Drive WhatsApp backup is ready

6. Connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable.
7. Right-click your backup file. Tab Restore to phone > iPhone.


Restore Google Drive WhatsApp backup to iPhone

8. All your WhatsApp chats will be restored to the iPhone.


Restoring WhatsApp data to iPhone

4.How to Download Google Drive WhatsApp Backup on PC via whapa

whapa is a free tool that allows you to extract all those files of WhatsApp backup on Google Drive and download them on your computer.

Follow the instructions to learn how:

1. Download whapa and python3.8.10 to configure your computer settings.
2. Locate the file settings.cfg


Download Google Drive WhatsApp backup

3. Configure your Google drive username, password, and phone number.


Configure Google Drive account

4. View WhatsApp messages with the command python whagodri.py –i


View WhatsApp messages with the command

5. Download backup using the command: python whagodri.py -s -o data


Download WhatsApp backup using command

Now, you can see all the backup information in your google driver, including backup name, backup time, the total size of backup files, backup database size, size and number of backup audio and video files, etc.

5. How to Transfer WhatsApp between Android and iPhone without a PC

Chatrans is a top-rated pro app to transfer WhatsApp chats across platforms. This handy app can transfer WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business directly between your smartphones.

Before we start, you will need to prepare an OTG/USB-C to Lightning Cable, which costs about $19 (pretty accessible).

Here is how to transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone via Chatrans:

1. Launch Chatrans. Tap START.
2. Select a WhatsApp version. Tap Android to iPhone.


Transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone

3. Back up your WhatsApp data as instructed. Click Next.


Locate WhatsApp android backup

4. Enter your phone number for WhatsApp.


pair WhatsApp backup

5. Connect your Android and iOS device with an OTG/USB-C to Lightning cable.


Connect Android device and iPhone using cable

6. Tap Transfer Now on Chatrans.


Transfer WhatsApp data to iPhone

7. Once the transfer is complete, your iPhone will restart.
   

   WhatsApp transfer completed

Steps to transfer WhatsApp from iPhone to Android via Chatrans:

1. Tap START > iPhone to Android.
2. Connect the iPhone with your Android device using an OTG/USB-C to Lightning cable.


Connect Android device and iPhone using cable

3. Copy data from iPhone to Android.
4. Log in to WhatsApp.
5. Restore WhatsApp on your Android.

Pros

• A pro app to transfer WhatsApp across platforms at ease.
• Supports both WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business.
• No need for a PC - it can be done directly from your smartphone.

Cons

• Takes ample time (generally, up to 30 minutes) to shift data - It also depends on the size of your WhatsApp data.
• Requires an OTG/USB-C to Lightning Cable.

Don't you have a USB-C to lightning cable or an OTG cable? Well, use Mobitrix WhatsApp Transfer on your PC instead. It requires a USB cable but is faster and more stable.

6. Backup and Restore WhatsApp Chats via Samsung Account

Besides storing the WhatsApp backup on Google Drive, Samsung provides a built-in backup and restore feature for WhatsApp tied to your Samsung account.

Here is how to backup your WhatsApp chats via your Samsung Account:

1. Sign in to your Samsung account.
2. Open the Settings.
3. Tap Accounts and backup > Backup and restore > Backup data.


Backup WhatsApp via Samsung account

4. Choose WhatsApp and tap Backup.
5. Tap Done when the backup is finished.

Note: The steps work with devices running Android Pie and above. For previous versions of Android, check the Samsung instructions.

To restore or transfer your WhatsApp backup from Samsung Account:

1. Tap Settings > Accounts and backup > Backup and restore >Restore data.


Restore WhatsApp via Smsung account

2. Select WhatsApp to restore/transfer.
3. Tap Install to restore your Apps screen and Home screen.

Pros

• The method is fast and simple to try.
• You do not have to uninstall WhatsApp from your device.
• It does not require you to connect to a computer.
• You get free storage of up to 15 GB with your Samsung Account.

Cons

• The method only works for Samsung devices.
• It does not transfer WhatsApp to iOS or other Android devices.
• You might have to pay for an upgrade if storage is not enough for data.

7. How to Backup WhatsApp Chats on iPhone to Samsung

Samsung has released a new phone Samsung S22, and you want to transfer all your WhatsApp chats from your old iPhone to the new Samsung.

The Samsung Smart Switch app comes in with its new feature that allows you to transfer WhatsApp directly from iPhone to Samsung, but it also requires a USB-C to lightning cable or an OTG cable.

Here is how you can do it:

1. Connect your Samsung to your iPhone with an OTG/USB-C to Lightning Cable.


Connect With USB

2. Open Samsung Smart Switch and follow the steps as instructed.
3. Use your iPhone's camera to scan the QR code displayed on your Samsung.
4. Tap Start on your iPhone and wait for the process to complete.
5. Continue setting up your new Samsung.
6. When you reach the home screen, open WhatsApp and login into your account.
7. On your target Samsung phone, select an iOS device and choose whether you wish to transfer data from the device storage or iCloud.


Select IOS Device to Transfer Data

8. Tap Import when prompted, and allow the process to complete.


Import Data From iCloud

9. Finish activating your new device, and you'll see your chats waiting for you.

Note: You can't transfer your call history or display name.

8. Backup WhatsApp to Android Internal Storage and Restore

Backing up your chats in Android local storage is a better idea than Google drive as it does not require a strong internet connection. Besides this, Android backups and restoring procedures do not lag or get stuck like Google drive.

Here is how to backup WhatsApp to Android Internal Storage:

1. Go to the settings on your WhatsApp.
2. Open chats and locate backup.
3. Click on Back up to Google Drive, and select option Never from the list.


backup whatsapp to local storage

4. Click on the backup button to start the backup to your phone's internal storage.

Steps to restore your WhatsApp backup from Android internal storage:

1. Install WhatsApp on your Android phone, don't log in at this moment.
2. Tap Settings > About phone > Software information to check your phone's system version.


Restore WhatsApp steps

3. Find your backup folder on your Android phone(usually named 'WhatsApp,' if not, please modify it). The directory structure of the folder is as follows:
4. For Android 11 or higher: Move your 'WhatsApp' folder to the Android phone's sd card directory 'Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp'. Note: If the directory path does not exist, you need to create it manually.

   For Android 10 or lower: Move your 'WhatsApp' folder to the SD Card of your Android phone.

5. Open your WhatsApp, and also verify your phone number.


Launch WhatsApp and verify phone number

6. Click Restore when prompted to restore your data from the local backup


Restore backup from local back

After taking the above steps, wait for a few minutes for your previous data to be restored.

Pros

• Backing up and restoring via Internal storage is easy and fast to process.

Cons

• It only saves data for one week.
• The restoring process comes with complications.
• Uninstalling your WhatsApp will delete your local backup.

9. How to Backup WhatsApp to iCloud and Restore

You can store your iPhone WhatsApp backup on iCloud, but it only offers 5 GB of free storage.

Here's how to backup WhatsApp on iPhone to iCloud:

1. Log in to Apple ID you use to access iCloud. Turn on your iCloud Drive.
2. Launch WhatsApp.
3. Tap Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.


trun on iCloud Backup

4. Turn on Include Videos to save your videos as well.
5. Tap Back Up Now to run a backup onto iCloud.


back up to iCloud

Steps to restore WhatsApp backup from iCloud to iPhone:

1. Uninstall WhatsApp.
2. Go to the Apple store and install WhatsApp on your iPhone.
3. Open your WhatsApp.
4. Tap Agree and Continue, and then Enter your phone number and iCloud ID for verification.


Launch WhatsApp to Restore Backup from iCloud

5. Tap Restore > Restore Now to restore from iCloud.


Restore WhatsApp from iCloud

6. All your WhatsApp chats will be restored to your iPhone.

Pros:

• It's WhatsApp's official solution for backing up and restoring WhatsApp on iOS.

Cons:

• If your data size exceeds the free 5 GB space, you'll need to pay for more space or sacrifice some data.
• If you're switching to an Android, you can't restore an iCloud backup directly to an Android.

10. How to Backup WhatsApp Chats to PC and Restore via iTunes

You can also backup and restore your iPhone WhatsApp Chats on your PC using iTunes.

It's just that this option doesn't give you room to only back up your WhatsApp chats, and you'll need to back up everything on your iPhone.

Steps to use iTunes to backup and restore your WhatsApp:

1. Ensure that the version of iTunes you're running on your computer and iPhone is up to date.
2. Now connect your iPhone to the computer using the device's lightning cable and open iTunes if it doesn't open automatically. Click on the 'Device icon' from the left-hand side.
3. Click on 'Back up Now' in iTunes to begin the backup process. Keep the device connected to the computer until the process is complete. Your WhatsApp messages will be included in the backup.


Back up Now

4. By clicking on Restore Backup, you can restore them to the iPhone.

Pros:

• By backing up WhatsApp to your computer, you get rid of iCloud storage limits.

Cons:

• You can't specifically backup WhatsApp. You'll need to back up your entire iPhone, which takes up space on your computer.
• If you get a new phone that's an Android, your iTunes backup can't be restored to the Android phone.

11. How to Backup WhatsApp via Email

Using Email is a simple and free way to backup your WhatsApp on Android and iPhone. The export feature in WhatsApp allows you to save every individual and group chat.

Here is how to backup WhatsApp chats using Email:

1. Open WhatsApp and choose the conversations you want to transfer.
2. Tap on 'Settings > More > Export Chat > Email' and choose whether you'd like to attach media or not.
3. Now, enter the email recipient, and tap Send.
4. Log in to the recipient email on your iPhone. You can download the attached chats and media.


Transfer WhatsApp chats from Android to iPhone using Email

That's it!

Note: the content will be saved as a '.TXT' document, meaning you can not access the messages on your WhatsApp.

Pros

• Easy to apply.
• Transfer WhatsApp chats for Free.

Cons

• The saved chats do not sync with the iPhone WhatsApp app.
• Only transfer one chat at a time.
• Takes ample time.

Compared to other solutions, using Email is straightforward, but it is quite time-consuming and you end up with a .txt file.