How to Back Up and Restore WhatsApp Chats on Android and iPhone
Back up WhatsApp chats to your Google Account or iCloud, restore them safely, and troubleshoot missing or encrypted backups.
Before you start
A chat backup protects your message history if you switch phones, reinstall the app, or lose your device. WhatsApp stores cloud backups in your Google Account on Android and iCloud on iPhone. End-to-end encrypted backups can use a passkey, a password or a 64-digit key. Keep the method you choose available when changing phones.
Prerequisites
The same phone number you use on WhatsApp (restores fail with a different number).
A Google account (Android) or Apple ID with iCloud Drive enabled (iPhone).
Enough free cloud storage for the backup size (check inside WhatsApp's chat settings).
Stable Wi-Fi — large backups over mobile data can be slow or costly.
Sufficient battery, ideally plugged in during the first full backup.
Note: Exact menu labels change between WhatsApp versions. If a label differs slightly, look for the closest match under Settings → Chats.
Backing up on Android
Open WhatsApp and tap the three-dot menu → Settings.
Tap Chats → Chat backup.
Under Back up to your Google Account, choose the account and backup schedule. Older versions may label this option Back up to Google Drive.
Decide whether to include videos (off by default to save space).
Optionally enable End-to-end encrypted backup. Follow the options shown to create a passkey, password or encryption key, and keep access to it.
Confirm the Google account shown is the one you want, then tap Back up and wait until it finishes.
Backing up on iPhone
In the iOS Settings app, confirm iCloud Drive is on and you have free space.
Open WhatsApp → Settings → Chats → Chat Backup.
Tap Back Up Now for an immediate snapshot, or set Auto Backup to daily, weekly, or monthly.
Toggle Include Videos only if you need them.
For extra protection, open End-to-end encrypted backup and follow the available passkey, password or encryption-key setup. Keep access to that method.
Restoring your chats
Before uninstalling WhatsApp or removing data from a phone you still use, check Settings → Chats → Chat backup for a completed backup and its date. Keep your old phone's data until you have confirmed that restoration worked.
On the target Android phone, sign in to the same Google Account used for the backup. On an iPhone, use the same Apple Account and iCloud account.
Install WhatsApp on the new phone. If you need to repeat initial setup on a phone already running WhatsApp, reinstall only after checking that the required backup exists.
Verify the same phone number used to create the backup.
When prompted, tap Restore on Android or Restore Chat History on iPhone. For an encrypted backup, supply its passkey, password or encryption key as requested.
Wait for your messages to restore. Media may continue downloading afterward.
Cloud restoration uses your latest successful backup; it does not provide a choice of older snapshots. Messages received after that backup are not included. A Google Account backup cannot be restored directly to iPhone, or an iCloud backup directly to Android; use WhatsApp's official cross-platform transfer instructions instead.
Troubleshooting
"Not enough storage": Free space in Drive/iCloud, or exclude videos.
Backup stuck at a percentage: Restart the phone, reconnect to Wi-Fi, retry off peak hours.
No backup found on the new phone: Check you're signed into the correct Google/Apple account and the same number.
Forgotten backup password: If your old phone still opens your WhatsApp chats, go to Settings → Chats → Chat backup → End-to-end encrypted backup → Change password → I forgot my password and follow the verification steps. Create a fresh backup before switching phones. Without access to the original chats or the required backup credential, WhatsApp cannot unlock that encrypted backup for you.
Transferring Android ↔ iPhone: Use the official migration flow on both devices rather than a cloud restore.
If problems persist, use the official troubleshooting guide below or contact support from WhatsApp settings.
