Losing your WhatsApp chats is every user’s nightmare. The good news: backing them up takes just minutes. Here’s how to back up and restore WhatsApp on Android and iPhone in 2026.
Where WhatsApp Stores Your Backup
WhatsApp doesn’t keep chats on its own servers. It saves an encrypted backup to Google Drive (Android) or iCloud (iPhone), tied to your account — so you can restore even on a new device.
Back Up on Android
- Open WhatsApp, tap the three dots, then Settings.
- Go to Chats, then Chat backup.
- Tap Back up to Google Drive and choose daily frequency.
- Select your Google account.
- Tap Back up to start.
Tip: Back up over Wi-Fi. Video-heavy chats can be several gigabytes.
Back Up on iPhone
- Open WhatsApp, tap Settings.
- Go to Chats, then Chat Backup.
- Tap Back Up Now or enable Auto Backup.
- Make sure you have enough iCloud storage.
How to Restore
Reinstall WhatsApp, verify the same number, and it will detect your backup and offer to restore. Use the same Google or Apple account that holds the backup.
Important: You can only restore to the same number and platform. Android to iPhone needs a separate transfer method.
FAQ
Does backup include photos and videos?
Yes, media is included by default. You can disable video backup to save space.
Is my backup encrypted?
WhatsApp offers optional end-to-end encrypted backups. Enable it under Chat Backup with a password.
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