How to view WhatsApp on Google Drive?

How to view WhatsApp on Google Drive - briefly?

To view WhatsApp backups stored in Google Drive, you need to restore them from within the WhatsApp application on your device. This process will overwrite any existing data on your phone with the backup data from Google Drive.

How to view WhatsApp on Google Drive - in detail?

To view WhatsApp messages and media on Google Drive, you need to follow a detailed process that involves backing up your WhatsApp data to Google Drive and then accessing it. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you achieve this:

1. Back Up Your WhatsApp Data:

   • Open the WhatsApp application on your Android or iOS device.
   • Go to the "Settings" menu by tapping on the three dots in the top right corner (Android) or the gear icon at the bottom of the screen (iOS).
   • Navigate to "Chats" and then select "Chat Backup."
   • You will see an option to back up your chats to Google Drive. Tap on this option and follow the prompts to complete the backup process. Ensure that you are signed in to your Google account.

2. Access Your WhatsApp Data on Google Drive:

   • Open a web browser and go to drive.google.com.
   • Sign in to your Google account if you haven't already done so.
   • Once logged in, you will see a list of files and folders stored in your Google Drive. WhatsApp backups are typically saved as hidden files, so they might not be visible immediately. To unhide these files:
     • Click on the gear icon in the top right corner to open the settings menu.
     • Select "General preferences."
     • Scroll down and check the box that says "Show hidden files."
   • After enabling this option, you should see a folder named "WhatsApp" or something similar. Open this folder to access your backups.

3. Viewing WhatsApp Messages and Media:

   • The backup files in Google Drive contain all the messages, photos, videos, and other media exchanged on WhatsApp. However, Google Drive itself does not provide a built-in viewer for these files.
   • To view your WhatsApp data, you will need to download the backup file to your computer.
     • Right-click on the desired backup file and select "Download."
   • Once the file is downloaded, you can use third-party software or apps designed to open and view WhatsApp backups. Some popular options include WhatsApp Backup Extractor and WazzapMigrator.
     • Install one of these tools on your computer.
     • Open the tool and follow the instructions to import and view your WhatsApp backup file.

4. Restoring Your Data:

   • If you wish to restore your WhatsApp data back to your device, you can do so directly from Google Drive without needing to view it first.
   • Uninstall and then reinstall WhatsApp on your device.
   • During the setup process, you will be prompted to restore your chats from a backup. Choose "Google Drive" as the backup source.
   • Follow the prompts to select the desired backup file and complete the restoration process.