How to delete WhatsApp backups without restoring them?

How to delete WhatsApp backups without restoring them - briefly?

To delete WhatsApp backups without restoring them, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Settings app on your device.
  2. Navigate to "Storage & Backup" or "Backup and Reset," then select "WhatsApp." From there, you can choose to delete your backup data permanently.

How to delete WhatsApp backups without restoring them - in detail?

Deleting WhatsApp backups without restoring them can be necessary for various reasons, such as freeing up storage space or ensuring data privacy. Here’s a detailed guide on how to achieve this:

iPhone Users:

WhatsApp backups for iPhone users are stored in iCloud. To delete these backups without restoring them, follow these steps:

  1. Open Settings: On your iPhone, go to the "Settings" app.
  2. Access Your Profile: Tap on your name at the top of the screen.
  3. Manage Storage: Select "iCloud" and then tap on "Manage Storage."
  4. Locate WhatsApp: Scroll down to find WhatsApp in the list of apps using iCloud storage.
  5. Delete Backup: Tap on WhatsApp, and you will see an option to delete the backup. Confirm the deletion.

Android Users:

WhatsApp backups for Android users are stored on Google Drive. To delete these backups without restoring them, follow these steps:

  1. Open Google Drive: On your Android device, open the Google Drive app.
  2. Access Settings: Tap on the three horizontal lines in the top-left corner to access the menu. Select "Settings."
  3. Manage Backups: Under the "Backup" section, tap on "Backups."
  4. Locate WhatsApp: You will see a list of apps that have backups in Google Drive. Locate WhatsApp.
  5. Delete Backup: Tap on WhatsApp and then select "Delete backup." Confirm the deletion.

Important Considerations:

  • Data Loss: Deleting a backup means you will lose all the data contained within it, including messages, photos, videos, and documents. Ensure that you have no important information in the backup before proceeding with deletion.
  • Automatic Backups: WhatsApp automatically creates backups for both iPhone and Android users. Make sure to turn off automatic backups if you do not want new data to be backed up.
    • For iPhone: Go to "Settings" > "Chats" > "Chat Backup" and turn off the auto-backup toggle.
    • For Android: Go to "Settings" > "Chats" > "Chat Backup" and uncheck the "Back up to Google Drive" option.

By following these steps, you can effectively delete WhatsApp backups without restoring them, freeing up valuable storage space and ensuring your data remains private.