How to manually recover the WhatsApp backup?

How to manually recover the WhatsApp backup - briefly?

To manually recover a WhatsApp backup, you can use the built-in functionality of your device's file manager or a third-party app like ES File Explorer to locate and restore the backup files from the local storage. Ensure that you have the latest version of WhatsApp installed on your device before attempting the recovery process.

How to manually recover the WhatsApp backup - in detail?

Manually recovering a WhatsApp backup can be crucial when you need to retrieve important messages, media, or contacts. This process involves several steps, which we will outline in detail below.

Step 1: Understanding Backup Types

WhatsApp provides two primary methods for backing up your data: Google Drive and local storage on your device. For manual recovery, you'll typically work with backups stored locally on your device or in the cloud via Google Drive.

Step 2: Locating the Local Backup Folder

If you have a local backup, it is usually saved in a specific folder on your device’s internal storage. The location of this folder varies depending on your operating system and phone model. Here are common paths:

  • Android: /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases
  • iPhone (via iTunes): You'll need to locate the backup file within the iTunes backup directory on your computer, typically found in a folder named after your device.

Step 3: Uninstalling and Reinstalling WhatsApp

  1. Uninstall WhatsApp: Start by uninstalling WhatsApp from your device. This step is necessary to allow the recovery process to proceed correctly.
  2. Reinstall WhatsApp: Download and install the latest version of WhatsApp from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Step 4: Restoring the Local Backup (Android)

If you have a local backup on an Android device, follow these steps to restore it:

  1. Open File Manager: Navigate to the folder where your WhatsApp backups are stored (e.g., /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases).
  2. Rename Backup File: Rename the backup file you want to restore from msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt12 to msgstore.db.crypt12.
  3. Reinstall WhatsApp: Follow the prompts to set up your account as usual. When prompted, allow WhatsApp to access and restore your messages from the backup file.

Step 5: Restoring Backup from Google Drive (Android)

If you have a cloud backup on Google Drive, follow these steps:

  1. Verify Google Account: Ensure that the Google account associated with the backup is the same one currently signed into your device.
  2. Reinstall WhatsApp: Follow the setup prompts to verify your phone number. When prompted, tap "Restore" to retrieve your backup from Google Drive.
  3. Wait for Completion: The restoration process may take some time depending on the size of your backup and your internet connection speed.

Step 6: Restoring Backup from iCloud (iPhone)

For iPhone users, follow these steps to restore a backup from iCloud:

  1. Ensure iCloud Backup: Make sure that you have an iCloud backup of your WhatsApp data. You can check this in the iCloud settings on your device.
  2. Delete and Reinstall WhatsApp: Uninstall WhatsApp from your iPhone and then reinstall it from the App Store.
  3. Follow Setup Prompts: When setting up WhatsApp, you will be prompted to restore your chat history from an iCloud backup. Tap "Restore Chat History" and wait for the process to complete.

Step 7: Verifying the Restoration

After completing the restoration process, it is essential to verify that all your data has been successfully recovered. Check for messages, media, contacts, and any other important information to ensure that nothing was lost during the recovery process.

By following these detailed steps, you can manually recover your WhatsApp backup and retrieve your valuable data efficiently.