How to clear the backup copy of chats in WhatsApp?

How to clear the backup copy of chats in WhatsApp - briefly?

To clear the backup copy of chats in WhatsApp, follow these steps:

  1. Open WhatsApp and go to "Settings."
  2. Navigate to "Chats" > "Chat Backup," then tap on "Delete Backup" to remove it.

How to clear the backup copy of chats in WhatsApp - in detail?

Clearing the backup copy of chats in WhatsApp is a process that can help free up storage space on your device and ensure data privacy. Here's a detailed guide on how to accomplish this:

  1. Backup Your Chats: Before deleting any backups, it's essential to create a current backup of your chats. This ensures you won't lose any important messages or media files during the process.

    • Open WhatsApp and go to the "Settings" tab.
    • Navigate to "Chats" > "Chat Backup".
    • Tap on "Back Up Now" and follow the prompts to create a backup.
  2. Locate Your Backup Files: Depending on your device and settings, WhatsApp backups can be stored in different locations:

    • iPhone Users: Backups are usually saved in iCloud. You can check this by going to "Settings" > "[Your Name]" > "iCloud" > "Manage Storage" > "WhatsApp".
    • Android Users: Backups are typically stored on Google Drive. To find them, open the Google Drive app, tap on the three horizontal lines in the top left corner, and select "Backup". You should see a list of your WhatsApp backups.
  3. Delete Old Backups: Over time, multiple backup files can accumulate, taking up valuable storage space. To clear these:

    • iPhone Users: Go to "Settings" > "[Your Name]" > "iCloud" > "Manage Storage" > "WhatsApp". Here you'll see a list of your backups. Tap on the backup you want to delete and then tap "Delete Backup".
    • Android Users: Open Google Drive, tap on the three horizontal lines in the top left corner, and select "Backup". Find the WhatsApp backup you wish to delete, tap on it, and then select "Delete".
  4. Disable Automatic Backups (Optional): If you don't want WhatsApp to automatically create backups, you can disable this feature:

    • Go to "Settings" > "Chats" > "Chat Backup".
    • Toggle off the option for automatic backups. This will prevent WhatsApp from creating new backups unless you manually initiate one.
  5. Delete Local Backups (Optional): In addition to cloud backups, WhatsApp may also store local backups on your device:

    • iPhone Users: These are typically stored in the iCloud Drive app under "WhatsApp". You can delete them by tapping on "Edit" in the top right corner and then selecting the backup files you want to remove.
    • Android Users: Local backups are usually found in your device's internal storage under /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases. To access these, you might need a file manager app. Find the backup files (they have a ".db" extension) and delete them.

By following these steps, you can effectively clear the backup copy of chats in WhatsApp, freeing up storage space and maintaining data privacy.