How to find WhatsApp messages on Google Drive - briefly?
To locate your WhatsApp messages in Google Drive, navigate to the "WhatsApp" folder within the "Backup" section of your Google Drive account. This folder contains all your backed-up chats and media files from WhatsApp.
How to find WhatsApp messages on Google Drive - in detail?
Finding WhatsApp messages on Google Drive involves a series of steps that ensure you can access your backup data effectively. Here's a detailed guide:
Firstly, it's crucial to understand that WhatsApp backups are automatically created and stored in Google Drive. The frequency of these backups depends on your settings, but typically they occur daily at 2 AM local time. These backups include messages, photos, videos, and other media shared through WhatsApp.
To locate your WhatsApp messages in Google Drive, follow these steps:
- Ensure Backup is Enabled: Verify that WhatsApp backup to Google Drive is enabled on your device. You can do this by going to WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup. Here, you'll see the last backup date and time. If backup is not enabled, tap on 'Backup to Google Drive' and select a frequency (daily, weekly, or monthly).
- Access Google Drive: Open the Google Drive app or go to drive.google.com on your web browser. Sign in with the same Google account that you use for WhatsApp backups.
- Locate Backup File: WhatsApp backup files are not stored as individual messages but rather as encrypted database files. These files are named as follows:
MsgStore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt12. To find these files, use the search bar in Google Drive and type "WhatsApp" or look for files with a similar naming pattern under the 'Backups' folder. -
Decrypt Backup File: WhatsApp backup files are encrypted for security purposes. You cannot directly view the contents of these files within Google Drive. To access your messages, you need to restore the backup to your device:
- View Messages: Once the backup is restored, you can view your messages directly within the WhatsApp app on your device. The restoration process transfers all backed-up data, including chats, photos, videos, and voice messages, to your phone.
It's essential to note that accessing individual message files within Google Drive is not feasible due to encryption. However, by following the steps above, you can effectively manage and retrieve your WhatsApp messages stored in Google Drive. Regularly backing up your data ensures that you won't lose valuable information, making it easier to restore your messages whenever needed.