How to find backup copies of WhatsApp on your phone?

How to find backup copies of WhatsApp on your phone - briefly?

To locate backup copies of WhatsApp on your phone, follow these steps:

  1. Open the WhatsApp application.
  2. Navigate to "Settings" > "Chats" > "Chat Backup". Here you will find options for backing up and restoring your chats.

How to find backup copies of WhatsApp on your phone - in detail?

Finding backup copies of WhatsApp on your phone can be crucial for preserving important conversations and media files. Here’s a detailed guide on how to locate these backups:

For Android Users

WhatsApp automatically backs up chats, photos, videos, and voice messages to Google Drive. To find these backup copies:

  1. Open Google Drive:

    • Launch the Google Drive app on your phone or visit drive.google.com on a web browser.

  2. Navigate to Backups:

    • Go to the 'Backups' section by tapping on the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top-left corner and selecting 'Backups'.

  3. Locate WhatsApp Backup:

    • You should see a folder named after your phone, likely containing subfolders for each app’s backup data. Look for a folder titled ‘WhatsApp’.

  4. Access Files:

    • Open the ‘WhatsApp’ folder to view and access your backed-up messages, photos, videos, and voice notes.

For iOS Users

For iPhone users, WhatsApp backups are stored in iCloud:

  1. Open Settings:

    • Go to 'Settings' on your phone.

  2. Access iCloud:

    • Scroll down and tap on your Apple ID at the top of the screen. Then select ‘iCloud’.

  3. Check Storage:

    • Tap on ‘Manage Storage’ or ‘Storage’ to see a list of apps that use iCloud storage.

  4. Locate WhatsApp:

Using File Manager (For Both Platforms)

You can also use a file manager app to locate local backups:

  1. Install a File Manager:

    • Download and install a reliable file manager from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, such as ES File Explorer for Android or Documents by Readdle for iOS.

  2. Navigate to WhatsApp Folder:

    • Open the file manager app and navigate to the internal storage or SD card. Look for the ‘WhatsApp’ folder, typically located in a directory like 'Internal Storage' > 'Android' > 'data' on Android devices, or in the root directory of your phone’s storage on iOS.

  3. Access Backup Files:

    • Within the WhatsApp folder, you may find subfolders named ‘Databases’ (for Android) or similar, containing SQLite database files that store your chat history and media backups.

Restoring a Backup

To restore a backup:

  • Android: Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp. During the setup process, you will be prompted to restore from a Google Drive backup. Follow the prompts to complete the restoration.
  • iOS: When setting up WhatsApp on your new device or after reinstalling it, you’ll be asked if you want to restore from an iCloud backup. Select 'Restore Chat History' and follow the instructions.

By following these steps, you can effectively locate and manage your WhatsApp backup copies on both Android and iOS devices.