How to view backup in WhatsApp on Android - briefly?
To view your WhatsApp backup on an Android device, you need to restore it from Google Drive. This process will replace the existing WhatsApp data on your phone with the backed-up information.
How to view backup in WhatsApp on Android - in detail?
Viewing a backup in WhatsApp on an Android device can be crucial for retrieving lost messages, media, or contacts. The process involves several steps and requires some understanding of how WhatsApp handles backups. Here’s a detailed guide:
Understanding WhatsApp Backups
WhatsApp automatically backs up your chats and media to Google Drive daily at 2 AM local time. This backup includes messages, photos, videos, and voice messages. However, keep in mind that multimedia files are not backed up if you have selected the "Only when connected to Wi-Fi" option under WhatsApp settings.
Viewing Backup on Google Drive
To view your WhatsApp backup on Google Drive:
- Open Google Drive: Go to drive.google.com or open the Google Drive app on your Android device.
- Access Hidden Apps Folder: In the Google Drive app, tap on the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top left corner. Scroll down and select "Backup." This will show you a list of all backups associated with your Google account.
- Identify WhatsApp Backup: Look for entries with the name format "WhatsApp" followed by the date and time of the backup. These are your WhatsApp backups.
- Download Backup: You can download a specific backup to view its contents. However, keep in mind that this will only show you the backup files and not the actual messages or media in a readable format.
Restoring a Backup to View Messages
To actually view your WhatsApp messages from a backup, you need to restore it:
- Uninstall WhatsApp: Remove WhatsApp from your device by going to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Uninstall.
- Reinstall WhatsApp: Download and install WhatsApp from the Google Play Store.
- Restore from Backup: During the initial setup, WhatsApp will prompt you to restore a backup. Tap "RESTORE" to recover your chats and media from the most recent backup on Google Drive.
- Complete Setup: Follow the remaining prompts to complete the setup process. Once done, you can open WhatsApp and view all your backed-up messages and media.
Viewing Backup Files Directly
If you need to see the raw backup files:
- File Manager: Open a file manager app on your Android device that can access internal storage.
- Navigate to Backups Folder: Go to
Internal Storage > WhatsApp > Databases. Here, you will find SQLite database files named "msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.db.crypt12" or similar. - Decrypt Files: These files are encrypted and cannot be viewed directly. To view them, you would need specialized software to decrypt the files, which is generally not recommended due to privacy concerns.
Conclusion
While viewing raw backup files directly is complex and not typically user-friendly, restoring a WhatsApp backup to your device allows you to easily view all your backed-up messages and media within the app itself. By following these steps, you can effectively manage and access your WhatsApp backups on an Android device.