What is WhatsApp backup and how do I remove messages from it on my phone - briefly?
WhatsApp backup is a feature that allows users to save their chat history, including messages, photos, videos, and other media, to their device or cloud storage. To remove messages from the backup on your phone, you will need to delete the entire backup and create a new one without the unwanted messages.
What is WhatsApp backup and how do I remove messages from it on my phone - in detail?
WhatsApp backup serves as a critical function for safeguarding your conversations, media files, and other essential data. This feature allows you to create a copy of your chats and store them either locally or in the cloud, ensuring that you never lose important information even if you switch devices or need to reinstall WhatsApp.
To understand how to remove messages from a WhatsApp backup on your phone, it's essential first to clarify the types of backups available: local and Google Drive backups. Local backups are stored directly on your device, while Google Drive backups are saved in the cloud.
Removing Messages from Local Backup:
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Locate the Backup Folder: WhatsApp stores its backup data in a specific folder on your device's internal storage or SD card. The default location is usually:
/sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases. -
Identify the Backup File: The backup file typically has a name pattern like
msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.db.crypt12whereYYYY-MM-DDrepresents the date of the backup. -
Delete the Backup File: To remove messages from this backup, you need to delete the relevant file. Open your device's file manager and navigate to the WhatsApp Databases folder. Locate the backup file you wish to delete and tap on it. Confirm the deletion when prompted.
Removing Messages from Google Drive Backup:
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Disconnect Google Drive: Before deleting any messages, it's crucial to disconnect your WhatsApp account from Google Drive to prevent automatic backups during this process. Go to WhatsApp settings > Chats > Chat backup and tap on the 'Account' option. Select 'Disconnect' and confirm.
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Uninstall WhatsApp: After disconnecting, uninstall WhatsApp from your device. This action will remove all local data and backups associated with the app.
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Reinstall WhatsApp: Reinstall WhatsApp from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. During the setup process, you can choose not to restore the backup if prompted.
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Clear Backup Files from Google Drive (Optional): If you want to remove all existing backups from your Google Drive account, log in to your Google Drive on a computer, locate the WhatsApp folder, and delete any files within it.
Important Considerations:
- Data Loss: Deleting backup files will permanently remove the messages and data stored within them. Ensure you do not need this information before proceeding.
- Automatic Backups: WhatsApp regularly creates automatic backups. To avoid retaining deleted messages, ensure that your device's storage or cloud account does not have sufficient space for new backups containing these messages.
By following these steps, you can effectively remove messages from your WhatsApp backup on both local storage and Google Drive, maintaining control over your data and privacy.