How to restore an older backup in WhatsApp - briefly?
To restore an older backup in WhatsApp, first ensure that the desired backup is available on your Google Drive or iCloud account. Then, uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp, and during the setup process, choose to restore from a backup when prompted.
How to restore an older backup in WhatsApp - in detail?
Restoring an older backup in WhatsApp can be a crucial task for users who need to retrieve important messages or media from a previous point in time. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide on how to achieve this:
- Backup Availability: Ensure that the backup you want to restore is available. WhatsApp backs up your data automatically at 2 AM daily, and these backups are stored in iCloud for iOS devices or Google Drive for Android devices. To confirm the availability of older backups, check the list of backups within your respective cloud storage service.
- Uninstalling WhatsApp: The first step to restoring an older backup is to uninstall WhatsApp from your device. This action will not delete your chat history but will allow you to reinstall the app and select a different backup point.
- Reinstalling WhatsApp: Download and install WhatsApp again from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android). Once installed, open the app and follow the initial setup process until you reach the screen that prompts you to restore your chat history.
- Restoring the Backup: When prompted to restore a backup, tap on "Restore" to initiate the restoration process. WhatsApp will automatically detect backups available in iCloud (for iOS) or Google Drive (for Android). If you have multiple backups, you might see a list of dates and times for each backup. Select the date corresponding to the older backup you wish to restore.
- Verification: After selecting the backup, WhatsApp will ask you to verify your phone number. Enter your phone number and follow the verification process via SMS or call. This step ensures that the restored data is linked to the correct account.
- Restoration Process: Once verified, the restoration process will begin. The duration of this process depends on the size of the backup and your internet connection speed. It’s important not to interrupt the process to avoid any data loss or corruption.
- Completing Setup: After the restoration is complete, you can continue with the setup process. This might include setting up your profile picture, entering a name for your WhatsApp account, and configuring other settings as needed.
- Accessing Restored Data: Once setup is complete, you will have access to your restored chats, media, and other data from the selected backup date. You can now use WhatsApp normally, with all your previous messages and files intact.
It’s worth noting that restoring an older backup will overwrite any current data on your device. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that you do not have any important recent chats or media that you wish to retain before proceeding with the restoration process.
By following these detailed steps, users can successfully restore an older backup in WhatsApp and retrieve valuable data from a previous point in time.