What is backup in WhatsApp and how to disable it?

What is backup in WhatsApp and how to disable it - briefly?

Backup in WhatsApp refers to the automatic saving of chat history, photos, videos, and other data to your device's storage or cloud service. To disable this feature, go to WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chats Backup, and toggle off the "Include Videos" option for local backups or disconnect from Google Drive for cloud backups.

What is backup in WhatsApp and how to disable it - in detail?

Backup in WhatsApp refers to the regular saving of your chats, media, and settings on a cloud service or local storage. This feature ensures that you do not lose important data even if you switch devices, reinstall the app, or encounter any issues with your phone. By default, WhatsApp automatically backs up your data to your connected cloud account (Google Drive for Android users and iCloud for iPhone users) every day at 2 AM. This backup includes messages, photos, videos, voice notes, and other media shared in your chats.

Disabling the automatic backup feature can be useful if you have limited storage space on your cloud account or want to control when backups are performed manually. Here’s how you can disable WhatsApp backups on both Android and iPhone:

For Android Users:

  1. Open WhatsApp: Tap on the three dots in the upper right corner of the screen to access the menu.
  2. Go to Settings: Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu.
  3. Navigate to Chats: In the settings menu, tap on "Chats".
  4. Access Backup Options: Scroll down and tap on "Backup" to view your backup options.
  5. Disable Automatic Backups: By default, WhatsApp backs up data to Google Drive. To disable this, ensure that the "Back up to Google Drive" option is unchecked or set to "Never".
  6. Additional Controls: You can also choose the frequency of backups (daily, weekly, monthly) if you decide not to disable them entirely.

For iPhone Users:

  1. Open WhatsApp: Tap on "Settings" at the bottom right corner of your screen.
  2. Go to Chats: In the settings menu, tap on "Chats".
  3. Access Backup Options: Scroll down and select "Chat Backup".
  4. Disable Automatic Backups: Ensure that the "Backup" option is turned off or set to "Off". This will prevent WhatsApp from automatically backing up your data to iCloud.
  5. Additional Controls: You can also manually back up your chats by tapping on "Back Up Now", but this will not affect the automatic backup setting.

By following these steps, you can effectively manage and disable the automatic backup feature in WhatsApp, giving you greater control over how and when your data is saved.