Where to view WhatsApp backup on Android phone?

Where to view WhatsApp backup on Android phone - briefly?

To view your WhatsApp backup on an Android phone, navigate to the internal storage or external SD card where the backup is saved. The backup files are typically stored in a folder named "WhatsApp" and contain a ".db" file.

Where to view WhatsApp backup on Android phone - in detail?

To view your WhatsApp backup on an Android phone, you need to follow a series of steps that involve accessing the appropriate files and using the correct tools. Here is a detailed guide to help you locate and view your WhatsApp backup:

1. Understand Backup Types: WhatsApp creates two types of backups for Android devices: local backups and Google Drive backups. Local backups are stored on your phone's internal memory, while Google Drive backups are uploaded to your cloud storage.

2. Local Backups:

   • File Location: Local WhatsApp backups are typically saved in the /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases directory. This folder contains files with names like msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.db.crypt12.
   • Viewing Backup Files: To view these backup files, you need a file manager app that can navigate through your phone's internal storage. Popular choices include ES File Explorer or Solid Explorer.
   • Decryption: WhatsApp backups are encrypted for security purposes. To view the content, you will need to decrypt them using a third-party tool like Dr.fone - WhatsApp Transfer or WazzapMigrator. These tools can read and display the messages from your backup files.

3. Google Drive Backups:

   • Accessing Google Drive: To view backups stored on Google Drive, you need to log in to your Google account via a web browser or the Google Drive app on your phone.
   • Locating Backup Files: WhatsApp backups on Google Drive are usually found in the WhatsApp folder within your Google Drive storage. The files will have names like msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.db.crypt12.
   • Downloading and Viewing: Download the backup file to your computer or phone. Since these files are encrypted, you will need a decryption tool (as mentioned above) to view their contents.

4. Using WhatsApp to Restore Backup:

   • If you prefer to restore your backup using WhatsApp itself rather than viewing it directly, follow these steps:
     • Uninstall and then reinstall WhatsApp from the Google Play Store.
     • Open WhatsApp and follow the prompts to set up your account.
     • When prompted, tap on "Restore" when you see the option to restore your chat history from a backup.
     • Wait for the restoration process to complete. Once done, you will be able to access all your backed-up messages and media within WhatsApp.