On iPhone, WhatsApp backs up your chats to iCloud. Make sure iCloud Drive is on, then go to WhatsApp Settings › Chats › Chat Backup › Back Up Now. To restore, sign in with the same Apple Account, verify the same number and tap Restore Chat History.
Check iCloud first
- Open the iPhone Settings app and tap your name at the top.
- Tap iCloud. Make sure iCloud Drive is on.
- In the list of apps using iCloud (tap Show All if needed), turn on WhatsApp.
Your backup needs free space in iCloud. A free iCloud plan gives 5 GB, which fills quickly with photos. The backup needs roughly twice its size free while it is being made.
Make a backup
- Open WhatsApp and tap Settings (bottom right).
- Tap Chats › Chat Backup.
- Tap Back Up Now. Stay on Wi-Fi and keep the app open until it finishes.
- Turn on Auto Backup and pick Daily, Weekly or Monthly.
- Turn Include Videos off if your iCloud is nearly full.
For extra privacy, use End-to-end Encrypted Backup on the same screen and set a password. If you forget it, the backup can't be restored by anyone.
Restore your chats
- On the new or reset iPhone, sign in with the same Apple Account and turn on iCloud Drive.
- Install WhatsApp from the App Store and verify the same phone number.
- Tap Restore Chat History when asked. Enter the backup password if you set one.
- Wait until it finishes. Keep the phone on Wi-Fi and charging if the backup is big.
If it doesn't work
- "Not enough iCloud storage": delete old iPhone backups or photos from iCloud, turn off Include Videos, or buy more iCloud storage. You can also clear big files in WhatsApp first (see free up storage).
- Backup stuck: check your internet, restart the iPhone, and make sure you are signed in to iCloud. Low Power Mode can pause backups; turn it off.
- No restore option: the Apple Account or the phone number is different from the one used for the backup.
- Backup from Android: an Android Google backup can't be restored on iPhone. Use the move method in move chats to a new phone.
Safety tip
Keep your Apple Account password private and turn on two-factor authentication for it. Anyone who gets into your iCloud could restore your WhatsApp backup if it is not end-to-end encrypted. Also turn on WhatsApp's own two-step verification.
This is GroupChatOn’s own easy guide. We are not WhatsApp and are not linked with WhatsApp or Meta. WhatsApp sometimes changes its menus: if a button looks different on your phone, update WhatsApp from the Play Store or App Store.
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