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How to Backup WhatsApp Chats: Step-by-Step Guide

Here's how to never lose those precious chats again

Abubakar Mohammed profile picture
by Abubakar Mohammed
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Mockup of a phone with WhatsApp's Chat Backup screen with back up option

Image Credit: Beebom Gadgets

Summary

  • WhatsApp chats on Android can be backed up easily using the built-in Google Drive integration.
  • On an iPhone, you can back up chats using iCloud, provided the linked phone number is the same.
  • WhatsApp backups could take up a lot of space, so we recommend freeing up your cloud storage beforehand.

For most, WhatsApp is a one-stop destination for messaging, sending photos and videos. It almost acts as a second memory for many, and losing it accidentally or while switching phones would not be good. Thankfully, WhatsApp has a built-in backup option that allows you to back up all your chats, including photos and videos. Here's how to backup WhatsApp chats on Android and iPhone.

How to back up WhatsApp chats on Android

WhatsApp uses Google Drive to back up chats on Android; therefore, you need to have ample space on your Google Drive. WhatsApp backups could span around 5 GB if you also choose to backup photos and media, which is what most users will end up choosing.

  1. Launch WhatsApp and tap on the 3-dots icon at the top right.
Launch whatsapp from home screen and tap three dots
Launch whatsapp from home screen and tap three dots
  1. From the overflow menu, select Settings and then go to Chats on the next screen.
WhatsApp Settings and Chats option in settings
WhatsApp Settings and Chats option in settings
  1. Scroll down on this screen and select Chat backup.
WhatsApp Chat backup option with Chat backup screen
WhatsApp Chat backup option with Chat backup screen
  1. Select your preferred Google account where you want to back up your chats to.
Chat Backup Google Account option with option to choose an account
Chat Backup Google Account option with option to choose an account
  1. Now, tap on Automatic backups and select the frequency at which you want WhatsApp to back up your chats.
WhatsApp Chat backup automatic backups options with frequency selection
WhatsApp Chat backup automatic backups options with frequency selection
  1. Now, turn on the Include videos toggle to allow WhatsApp to back up videos alongside chats.
  2. Finally, tap on Back up to initiate a full backup of your WhatsApp chats to Google Drive.
Enabling the include videos toggle and tapping on Back up option
Enabling the include videos toggle and tapping on Back up option

How to backup WhatsApp chats on iPhone

Like Android, WhatsApp on iPhone uses iCloud to back up chats, and it's pretty straightforward to use. Some of the prerequisites you need to follow are that your WhatsApp phone number needs to be the same as the one linked to your iCloud account. Also, you need to have ample storage in iCloud before proceeding.

  1. Launch WhatsApp on your iPhone and head over to the Settings tab at the bottom right.
  2. Then tap on Chats and select Chat backup.
WhatsApp settings tab and chat backup option in settings
WhatsApp settings tab and chat backup option in settings
  1. Now tap on Back up now to upload all your chats to iCloud.
  2. You can also turn on Auto backup and select the frequency of the backup to Daily.
  3. Like on Android, you can also turn on the Include videos toggle to upload videos as part of your WhatsApp backup.
Include videos toggle turned on with Back up now option highlighted
Include videos toggle turned on with Back up now option highlighted

If you lose access to your device or accidentally delete all your messages, restoring backup chat in WhatsApp could make things easier. It could also come in handy to see deleted messages on WhatsApp.

Abubakar Mohammed profile picture
Abubakar Mohammed

Guides Writer

Expertise :

Abubakar is a seasoned Tech Journalist who covers everything Android and consumer electronics. He's a die-hard self-repair enthusiast who loves to dive into the specifics of consumer tech. In his free time, you will find him hunting heads in Valorant. He has previously worked with Android Police and How-to Geek.

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