Where is WhatsApp backup stored on Android?

Where is WhatsApp backup stored on Android - briefly?

WhatsApp backups on Android are typically stored in Google Drive. The storage location can be customized through the app's settings.

Where is WhatsApp backup stored on Android - in detail?

On Android devices, WhatsApp backups are primarily stored in two locations: Google Drive and local device storage. Here's a detailed breakdown of where you can find these backups:

  1. Google Drive Backup: WhatsApp allows users to back up their data to Google Drive. This is particularly useful for preserving your chat history, photos, videos, and other media files in case you lose your phone or need to switch devices. To locate your WhatsApp backup on Google Drive:

    • Open the Google Drive app on your Android device or visit drive.google.com on a web browser.
    • Tap on the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the upper left corner.
    • Select "Backup" from the menu. Here you will see all your backed-up data, including WhatsApp backups.
    • The backup files are typically named with a format like WhatsApp_<date>, where <date> is the date of the backup.
  2. Local Device Storage: Besides Google Drive, WhatsApp also creates local backups on your Android device's internal storage. These backups are saved in a hidden folder and can be useful if you prefer not to use cloud storage or if you want an additional layer of backup security. To find these local backups:

    • Open the File Manager app on your Android device. If you don’t have one, you can download it from the Google Play Store.
    • Navigate to the internal storage directory.
    • Look for a folder named WhatsApp or WhatsApp/Databases. This folder contains SQLite database files that store your WhatsApp data.
    • The local backup files are usually named with a format like msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.db.crypt12, where YYYY-MM-DD is the date of the backup.

Regularly backing up your WhatsApp data ensures that you don't lose important conversations and media. Both Google Drive and local storage options provide flexibility, allowing you to choose the method that best suits your needs.