How to open a WhatsApp backup on disk?

How to open a WhatsApp backup on disk - briefly?

To restore a WhatsApp backup from your computer's hard drive, you need to use the official WhatsApp desktop application or the mobile app installed on your phone. Ensure that both devices are connected to the same internet network during the restoration process for seamless data transfer.

How to open a WhatsApp backup on disk - in detail?

Opening a WhatsApp backup from your device's internal storage or an external SD card can be essential for data recovery, transferring conversations, and ensuring you don’t lose important information. This process involves several steps that depend on whether you are using an Android or iOS device. Here is a detailed guide to help you open a WhatsApp backup from your disk:

For Android Devices:

  1. Create the Backup:

    • Open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
    • Tap on BACK UP to create a new backup. This will save your chats, photos, videos, and other data to your device's internal storage or an external SD card.
  2. Transfer the Backup:

    • If you want to move this backup to another location (such as your computer), connect your Android device to your PC using a USB cable.
    • Enable File Transfer mode on your device if prompted.
    • Access your device's storage from your PC and navigate to the WhatsApp folder, typically found in Internal Storage > WhatsApp > Databases.
  3. Opening the Backup:

    • The backup files will have a .db extension (e.g., msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.db.crypt12).
    • To open these files, you will need a file explorer app on your Android device or a SQLite viewer tool on your PC.
    • On your PC, download and install an SQLite viewer like DB Browser for SQLite.
    • Open the SQLite viewer and use it to open the .db files from your backup folder. This will allow you to browse through your WhatsApp messages and other data.

For iOS Devices:

  1. Create the Backup:

    • Open WhatsApp on your iPhone and go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
    • Tap on BACK UP NOW to create a new backup. This will save your chats, photos, videos, and other data to iCloud by default.
  2. Transfer the Backup:

    • To transfer this backup to another device or location, you will need to use third-party software like iMazing or AnyTrans.
    • Connect your iOS device to your PC using a USB cable.
    • Open the third-party software and follow the instructions to export the WhatsApp backup from your iPhone to your computer.
  3. Opening the Backup:

    • The backup files will be in an encrypted format (e.g., ChatStorage.sqlite).
    • To decrypt and open these files, you can use specialized software like iMazing or Dr.Fone - WhatsApp Transfer.
    • Download and install the software on your PC.
    • Follow the prompts to import the backup file from your computer into the software.
    • Once imported, you can browse through your WhatsApp messages and other data within the software interface.

By following these steps, you can successfully open and access your WhatsApp backups stored on your device's internal storage or an external SD card. This process ensures that you can recover important data, transfer conversations between devices, and maintain a record of your communications.