Home Tech News How to restore WhatsApp chat history on Android: Check tips and tricks
If your WhatsApp chat got deleted or you lost it while changing your device, the good news is that there is a way to retrieve them. Here we show you how to restore WhatsApp chat history on Android. Now, WhatsApp is one of the most widely used applications and users send billions of messages including images, audio, video, GIFs, among others every day to the people on their contact list. You should know that these messages are delivered to users' phones instantly and WhatsApp deletes them promptly from the company's servers.
If you have lost your WhatsApp chats and want to restore the history then you can try the following methods. However, in case you want to restore your conversation on a new Android device then you need to ensure that your chats are backed up before restoring them. In order to take the chat backup you need to open WhatsApp, go to more settings, select chat and then chat backup.
Also, choose the Google Account that you want your chats backed up to. You can also create a local backup on your device. Then tap back up. After the backup has been saved, you can remove WhatsApp from your device and install it on your new Android device.
To maintain a copy of your WhatsApp chat history on Google Drive, you can enable the automatic backup feature and select its frequency as daily, weekly, or monthly. In order to successfully restore a Google Drive backup, you need to use the same phone number and Google Account used to create the backup.
You need to ensure that your new Android device is linked to the Google Account where your backup is saved. Install and open WhatsApp, then verify your number. Tap RESTORE when prompted to restore your chats and media from Google Drive.
After the restoration process is complete, tap NEXT. Your chats will be displayed once initialization is complete.
It can be noted that WhatsApp will continue to restore your media files after your chats are restored. If you install WhatsApp without any prior backups from Google Drive, WhatsApp will automatically restore from your local backup file.
How to restore WhatsApp chat history from local backup
If you want to use a local backup, you will need to transfer the files to the phone using a computer, file explorer or SD Card.
Download a file manager app. In the file manager app, navigate to your local storage or sdcard > WhatsApp > Databases. If your data is not stored on an SD card, you might see "internal storage" or "main storage" instead. Copy the most recent backup file to the local storage's Databases folder of your new device. Then Install and open WhatsApp, then verify your number. Tap RESTORE when prompted to restore your chats and media from the local backup.
Also, users need to remember that your phone will store up to the last seven days worth of local backup files. Local backups will be automatically created every day at 2:00 AM and saved as a file in your phone. If your data is not stored in the /sdcard/WhatsApp/ folder, you might see "internal storage" or "main storage" folders.
If you want to restore a local backup that is not the most recent one, you will need to do the following:
Download a file manager app. In the file manager app, navigate to your local storage or sdcard > WhatsApp > Databases. If your data is not stored on the SD card, you might see "internal storage" or "main storage" instead. Rename the backup file you want to restore from msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt12 to msgstore.db.crypt12. It is possible that an earlier backup might be on an earlier protocol, such as crypt9 or crypt10. Do not change the number of the crypt extension. Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp and tap RESTORE when prompted.
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First Published Date: 02 Jan, 16:49 IST
Tags: whatsapp
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Bradley Harvey | Jan 18, 2023
A veteran data engineer, experienced in data processing, data flow and data migration, etc.
Also a heavy WhatsApp user, he helps you know the ins and outs of WhatsApp data transfer better than anyone else.
Are you finding it difficult to back up or restore your WhatsApp chats? Well, don't fret. If there's one thing I know about WhatsApp, it's the feeling of frustration you get when you lose your WhatsApp data, sometimes forever.
In my past 10-year career as a data expert, WhatsApp has literally been my work and life necessity, recording my communications with clients and partners, and my chats with families and friends. Losing those valuable memories is a huge cost both emotionally and commercially. If you are like me, congrats, you have come to the right place.
Based on my years’ experience on data processing, I'm going to teach you how to conduct WhatsApp backup restore successfully. Also, I'll be sharing how you can restore your chats on an iPhone. And as a bonus I'll be sharing a secret trick to transfer WhatsApp chats in minutes.
Without further ado, let's see how to solve your backup and restore problems once and for all.
If you're an Android user, then chances are that your WhatsApp has been preset to backup data to Google drive. This backup is usually done in the background at specific time intervals. Most times you may not even notice it.
However, if your Android isn't defaulted to backup WhatsApp data automatically to Google Drive, you can follow the instructions below to set things up yourself.
Here are the steps for a Google Drive backup:
If you haven't connected a Google account yet, then tap "Add account" when prompted and enter your login details. Note: Backing up your files over a cellular network may attract additional data charges from your ISP.
Backing up WhatsApp data to Google Drive is quite effective because your data will always be safe. If you need to restore your data, all you have to do is log in to google drive and restore. But before you can use Google Drive backup the following things must be in place:
Once you have met the above requirements, then you are good to go.
One downside with backing up your WhatsApp data to google drive is that it won't be encrypted. An encrypted WhatsApp backup is always saved to your phone's internal storage. Hence, when saving WhatsApp data to your android's local storage, you are making a manual backup of your WhatsApp data.
There's a way to stop WhatsApp from saving your data to Google Drive. You can force it to backup to your phone's internal storage instead.
Here are the steps for local drive backup of WhatsApp data.
If you follow the above steps, your WhatsApp data will only be stored in your Android's local storage. Usually, the backup data is stored in internal storage. But if your phone has an SD Card, the backup files may be stored on the SD Card.
Now, here is my favorite part. Nearly all engineers are keen about encryption. So, what exactly is end-to-end encryption, and what makes it so special?
End-to-end encryption is a type of additional security for your chats. It ensures that only you and the other party you're communicating with can read or listen to messages. Nobody else, not even WhatsApp can know or access the chats between you and the other user.
When you set up an end-to-end encrypted backup, your chats and media are stored in the cloud servers. They're secured by a password or 64-digit encryption key.
End-to-end encrypted Backup
Note: If you lose your WhatsApp data and want to restore your backed-up data, you'll have to input the password or key.
If you lose this key you won't be able to access your end-to-end encrypted backup files. WhatsApp too, will not reset your password for you. So you must keep the password or encryption key safe.
Here's how to set up end-to-end encryption.
Note:
To turn off end-to-end encryption, repeat steps 1 and 2 above, and tap "Turn Off". You'll then be prompted to input your password. After that, you'll have to confirm your action by tapping the "Turn Off" button one more time.
If you're skeptical, you'll probably want to see your backups with your own eyes before believing they're there. If so, then read on.
I've got you covered.
End-to-end encrypted Backup
If you find WhatsApp messenger in the drop-down list, then that's the proof you need. You'll only see WhatsApp there if your data is being stored on your Google drive.
However, if you're still not convinced, then repeat steps 1 and 2 above. Next, in the general tab, tap on "view items taking up too much space". Next, go to backup and you'll find your WhatsApp backup file with your phone number attached to it.
First, you need to check where your WhatsApp back is stored, whether to your local phone memory or to your Google Drive.
Then check below to find one method suitable for you.
When your WhatsApp messages are backed up in your phone’s local storage, you can restore them with these simple steps:
After taking the above steps, just wait for a few minutes for your previous data to be restored.
To restore your WhatsApp chats from Google Drive, these are the accurate steps you must follow:
This should be the Google account where your WhatsApp backup is saved. Most times, WhatsApp will continue to restore your media files in the background, even after restoring your chats.
For iPhone users, restoring your WhatsApp data to your iPhone may not be as straightforward as on Android. However, it's still something you can easily do.
Here are the various ways and steps to restore your WhatsApp data on your iPhone.
First of all, you have to verify that an iCloud backup exists. To find this, go to WhatsApp > settings > chats > chat backup.
Ensure you are signed in with the same Apple ID you used to access iCloud. Also, your iCloud Drive must be turned on.
Secondly, there must be adequate free space on your iCloud and iPhone. You need free space that is at least twice the actual size of your backup. Ensure you have this amount of free space both on your iCloud and your iPhone.
Lastly, you must use the same number you used for backup for restoration.
Once the above conditions are met, all you have to do is install and activate WhatsApp with your phone number. After that, follow the prompts to restore your chat history.
In this case, you'll need a professional transfer tool to transfer your WhatsApp data from an Android to an iPhone. Mobitrix WhatsApp Transfer is a highly recommended tool and is one of the best out there.
Simply follow the steps below to experience how it's done.
Voila!! You've successfully transferred your data from an Android device to an iPhone.
In case you're wondering what makes Mobitrix better than other software, here are some reasons:
Restoring your WhatsApp backup from Google Drive to a new iPhone is also easy, with the Mobitrix WhatsApp Transfer software.
First, you’ll need to reinstall WhatsApp and restore the WhatsApp backup on your Android phone. Next, you should enter the phone number you used to back up your WhatsApp data for verification and then proceed as prompted.
Once your WhatsApp backup is detected, hit the Restore button and wait until the backup data is fully restored.
And Mobitrix will take care of the rest:
Once done, you will be able to access your WhatsApp conversations again on your iPhone.
Final Notes
If you're a long-term user of WhatsApp like me, you’ll definitely need to know how to perform WhatsApp backup & restore effectively. I have shared different methods with you in this article on how to backup and restore your chats. These methods can solve the backup and restore problems of 99% of WhatsApp users.
If you ever find yourself in need of a backup or restore, simply use any of the methods that suit you.
October 15, 2022 Likbez Technologies
Quick ways through backups or third party software.
You can fully restore deleted WhatsApp chats from Google Drive only if you first activate the backup function. To do this, in the application settings, you need to go along the path "Chats" → "Backup of chats", and then set the frequency of creating a backup: daily, weekly or monthly.
The backup will only be stored on the Google account that originally started the backup. To restore correspondence, you need to use the same phone number to which your account in the messenger is registered.
Your device stores local backup files from the last week. To recover deleted messages, you need to transfer these entries to the folder with the WhatsApp chat database using a file manager.
There are a large number of WhatsApp data recovery tools.
For example, Tenorshare UltData, Wondershare MobileTrans, iMyFone D-Back and similar programs. They should pull up deleted chats and other information both from the smartphone’s memory and from backups.
Almost all apps require a subscription to enable WhatsApp data recovery. At the same time, they do not have extraordinary algorithms for rolling back deleted files. For example, the mobile version of the UltData for Android application uses the same reserves as the messenger itself. Therefore, it is not worth placing high hopes on such programs. But you can use one of these PC utilities if other methods have not worked.
In most cases the sequence is very similar:
Most often, at this point, a window appears with a description of paid features and a call to purchase. Pay for a subscription or one-time cost. You can use auto-save to iCloud to back up and restore your chat history. As in the case of Android, you must first activate the backup in the WhatsApp settings.
You can only start recovery with the same Apple ID that you use with iCloud. At the same time, the amount of free space in the cloud and in the memory of your device must be at least twice the size of the backup.
The date and time of the last save should be entered here. For iOS, there are versions of the same software as for Android. All of them require payment, but they do not give guarantees for the full restoration of correspondence. Rather, it's just a more convenient way to selectively search for backups in local storage or the cloud than the full processing of all chats saved in iCloud.
If you decide to use this method, the procedure is almost the same as with Android.
Read also 📱
Communication via the Internet is very popular these days - you can easily send a message or make a video call to a person who is on the other side of the globe using a messenger Whatsapp.
One of the advantages of WhatsApp is that there is no user fee, you can share files, chat and much more for free. Is it possible to restore whatsapp correspondence if you deleted it? Definitely yes. Don't worry about lost WhatsApp messages on Android. Check out this article and you will find out 5 effective ways to help you restore chat on Android.
Let's start with the simplest way, for which we do not need to use third-party programs. During the dialogue, you can accidentally delete a message - this happens quite often and there is a solution to this.
Your correspondence is saved not only with you, but also with your interlocutor. Therefore, you can ask him to redirect those messages that you have deleted.
To restore WhatsApp correspondence, you must do the following:
Done. We restored messages very quickly and easily without using additional third-party programs. This method can be applied if your interlocutor has saved your correspondence.
The service offered by Google Drive is very popular among gadget users. You can store data, create and edit documents for free. Also, with Google Drive, you can create backups. If you haven't already, enable this feature: Tap More options > Settings > Chats > Chat backup > Backup to Google Drive
To restore whatsapp android chat, follow these steps:
Is it possible to restore correspondence in WhatsApp? Of course yes.
In this method, we will look at how to do this from a Google backup through the official website. In order to recover deleted messages in WhatsApp Android through the official Google website, you need to remember the phone number and Google account that you specified when creating the backup. This method will help restore your contacts if no more than 30 days have passed since they were deleted.
Perform the following steps:
Make sure you have a file manager. It will be needed in order to rename backups. Please note that if more than 7 days have passed since the deletion of the correspondence, then it will be impossible to restore the WhatsApp correspondence from the backup.
Consider the method - how to recover deleted WhatsApp Android conversations using a program such as Tenorshare UltData for Android. It is impossible not to note the advantages of this utility: support for recovering almost all types of WhatsApp Android / iOS data, such as contacts, sms, call history, photos, videos, notes and much more. The program works on many models of Android smartphones, such as Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, LG, Sony, Google. Even if you deleted the correspondence a long time ago, the program will be able to detect and restore it in a matter of minutes.
The utility is fully compatible with Android 12/11/10/9/ 8.1/ 8/7/6/5/4.4.
Follow this manual:
Next, you will need to connect your Android device to your PC/Mac using an OEM USB cable. After that, launch Tenorshare UltData for Android on your computer. Then, on the main interface of the program, you must click on the "Recover lost data" function.
Then you need to enable USB debugging on your Android device according to the instructions;
After that, the program will detect your Android device and you will be taken to the next screen. Click the "Start" button to find the deleted WhatsApp data on your device;
Sign in to your WhatsApp account on your device. If you have already done so, click the "Yes, I want to continue" button;
Note: To avoid data loss, follow the on-screen instructions to backup WhatsApp;
After Backup, UltData for Android will start scanning WhatsApp data on your device;
After scanning, all WhatsApp data will be displayed, including deleted data.
