How to save a local copy of WhatsApp - briefly?
To save a local copy of your WhatsApp data on Android, open the app, go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup, and tap on 'Back Up'. For iOS users, navigate to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup and follow similar steps. This process ensures that all your chats and media are stored locally on your device.
How to save a local copy of WhatsApp - in detail?
Saving a local copy of your WhatsApp data is a crucial step for ensuring that you do not lose valuable conversations, media files, and other essential information. This process can be especially important if you are planning to switch devices, reinstall the application, or simply want to have a backup available in case something goes wrong with your phone or account. Here’s a detailed guide on how to save a local copy of WhatsApp:
Backup via Google Drive (Android)
WhatsApp offers an integrated backup solution for Android users through Google Drive. This method ensures that all your chats, photos, videos, and voice messages are securely stored in the cloud. To perform this backup:
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your Android device.
- Navigate to Settings: Tap on the three vertical dots (menu button) located at the top-right corner of the screen, and select "Settings" from the dropdown menu.
- Access Chat Backup: In the settings menu, scroll down and tap on “Chats”. Then, select “Chat Backup”.
- Connect to Google Drive: Ensure that you have a Google account set up on your device and that it is connected to Google Drive. If not, you will be prompted to do so.
- Backup Settings: You can choose the frequency of backups (daily, weekly, monthly) or opt for “Only when I tap ‘Back Up’”. Additionally, you can select whether to include videos in your backup by toggling the “Include videos” option.
- Initiate Backup: Tap on the “BACK UP” button to start the backup process. Your chats and media will be uploaded to Google Drive.
Backup via iCloud (iOS)
For iOS users, WhatsApp utilizes iCloud for backing up data:
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your iPhone.
- Navigate to Settings: Tap on “Settings” located at the bottom-right corner of the screen.
- Access Chat Backup: In the settings menu, tap on “Chats”. Then, select “Chat Backup”.
- Connect to iCloud: Ensure that you have an Apple ID set up and that your device is connected to iCloud. If not, you will be prompted to sign in or create an account.
- Backup Settings: Similar to Android, you can choose the frequency of backups (daily, weekly, monthly) or opt for “Only when I tap ‘Back Up’”. Additionally, toggle on “Include videos” if you want to include your videos in the backup.
- Initiate Backup: Tap on the “BACK UP NOW” button to start the backup process. Your chats and media will be uploaded to iCloud.
Local Backup (Manual Export)
If you prefer a manual approach or want to save your data locally without using cloud storage, WhatsApp provides an option to export chat history:
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your device.
- Navigate to Settings: Tap on the three vertical dots (menu button) for Android or “Settings” at the bottom-right corner for iOS.
- Access Chat Backup: In the settings menu, tap on “Chats”. Then, select “Chat Backup”.
- Export Chat History: For local backup, you can export individual chats:
- Open the chat you want to back up.
- Tap on the three vertical dots (menu button) at the top-right corner of the screen for Android or the contact name at the top for iOS.
- Select “More” and then choose “Export Chat”.
- Choose whether to include media in the export by toggling the option on or off.
- Select the destination (email, Google Drive, etc.) where you want to save the chat history.
Restoring from Backup
To restore your WhatsApp data from a backup:
- Uninstall and Reinstall WhatsApp: If you are switching devices or reinstalling the application, first uninstall WhatsApp from your device. Then, download and install it again from the Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS).
- Verify Phone Number: Open WhatsApp and follow the prompts to verify your phone number.
- Restore Backup: When prompted with the option to restore a backup, tap on “RESTORE”. This will retrieve all your chats and media from Google Drive (Android) or iCloud (iOS).
By following these detailed steps, you can ensure that your WhatsApp data is securely backed up and accessible whenever you need it.