Where can I find the backup copy of WhatsApp on Android?

Where can I find the backup copy of WhatsApp on Android - briefly?

To locate your WhatsApp backup on an Android device, navigate to the internal storage or SD card (depending on where you initially set up backups) and look for a folder named 'WhatsApp' or 'WhatsApp Backup'. This is where all your chat history and media are stored.

Where can I find the backup copy of WhatsApp on Android - in detail?

To locate a backup copy of WhatsApp on an Android device, follow these detailed steps:

  1. Local Backup: By default, WhatsApp creates local backups that are saved to your phone's internal storage or SD card. These backups include messages, photos, videos, and other media files. To find this backup:

    • Open the File Manager app on your Android device.
    • Navigate to the following directory: /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases. If you are using an internal storage device, replace /sdcard with /storage/emulated/0.
    • Here, you will find a file named msgstore.db.crypt12 or similar, which is your WhatsApp backup. The number in the filename (e.g., crypt12) indicates the version of encryption used.

  2. Google Drive Backup: If you have enabled Google Drive backup in WhatsApp settings, your chats and media are backed up to your Google Drive account. To find this backup:

    • Open the Google Drive app or go to drive.google.com on a web browser.
    • Ensure you are signed in with the same Google account linked to your WhatsApp.
    • In the search bar, type WhatsApp and press Enter. You should see folders named like this: WhatsApp/Backup.
    • These folders contain your chat history and media files. The latest backup is usually the one with the most recent date and time in the filename.

  3. Restoring Backups: To restore a WhatsApp backup, either local or from Google Drive, follow these steps:

    • Uninstall WhatsApp from your device.
    • Reinstall WhatsApp from the Google Play Store.
    • Open WhatsApp and follow the on-screen instructions to set up your account.
    • When prompted to restore a backup, choose either 'Local' or 'Google Drive', depending on where your backup is stored.
    • Follow the remaining prompts to complete the restoration process.