Back Up WhatsApp Chats in 2026: Android & iPhone Guide

Your WhatsApp chats can contain family conversations, work messages, photos, documents and voice notes you may not have saved anywhere else. If you lose your phone or switch devices without a current backup, some of that history may be difficult or impossible to recover. The safest approach is to check your backup settings before you need them.

This 2026 guide explains how to back up WhatsApp chats on Android and iPhone, what to check before switching phones, how encrypted backups work, and how to troubleshoot a backup that is stuck or missing.

Before you start: know which backup method you need

• Android: WhatsApp can back up chats to your Google Account. You can also transfer chats directly to another compatible phone.
• iPhone: WhatsApp uses iCloud for chat backups, and direct chat transfer may also be available.
• Switching between Android and iPhone: use WhatsApp’s supported transfer process for the direction and devices involved. A Google Drive backup does not restore directly to an iPhone, and an iCloud backup does not restore directly to Android.

Keep WhatsApp updated on both phones, make sure you have access to the phone number linked to your account, and use a stable connection. The exact menu wording can vary by app version.

How to back up WhatsApp chats on Android to a Google Account

1. Open WhatsApp on your Android phone.
2. Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
3. Go to Settings → Chats → Chat backup.
4. Choose the Google Account you want to use. Add an account if one is not connected.
5. Choose a backup schedule under Back up to your Google Account, such as Daily, Weekly or Monthly.
6. Review options such as Include videos and whether backups may use mobile data.
7. Tap Back up to create a backup now. Keep the phone connected to a reliable network and power if the backup is large.

After it finishes, return to the Chat backup screen and check the Last backup date and time. Do not assume a backup exists just because automatic backup is switched on; confirm that a recent backup completed successfully.

WhatsApp says Android backups use the storage in your Google Account. If your account is over its storage limit, you may need to clear Google Account space before a new backup can complete. See WhatsApp’s information about Google Account backups.

How to back up WhatsApp chats on iPhone

1. Open WhatsApp on your iPhone.
2. Tap Settings → Chats → Chat Backup.
3. Check that iCloud Drive is enabled for your Apple Account and WhatsApp has permission to use it.
4. Tap Back Up Now to create a manual backup.
5. Choose Auto Backup and a schedule if you want recurring backups.
6. Turn on Include Videos only if you want videos included and have enough iCloud and device storage.

Check the last backup date and size on the same screen. You need enough free space on both the iPhone and iCloud to create and restore a backup. For the official restore requirements, see WhatsApp’s iPhone chat-restore guide.

What is included in a WhatsApp backup?

A chat backup is intended to preserve your WhatsApp message history and supported media so you can restore them later. The exact contents depend on the platform, backup settings and the type of content.

• Messages: chat history available at the time the backup completes.
• Media: supported photos, voice messages and documents; videos may require the Include Videos option.
• Channels and communities: WhatsApp notes that backups can include messages and media from communities and certain channel updates, with specific limitations for channel media.
• Newer messages: messages received after the last successful backup are not included in that backup.

Do not treat a backup as a permanent archive of every file. If a document or photo is especially important, save a separate copy somewhere you control. If you only need a readable copy of one conversation, use WhatsApp chat export instead of relying on a full-device restore.

Should you include videos in the backup?

Videos can make a WhatsApp backup much larger and slower to upload. If you have limited cloud storage or a slow connection, you may choose to leave videos out. However, videos that are not included in the backup may not return when you restore your chats.

Before changing phones, review the backup size and decide whether videos and other important media need to be included. Do not delete the original files until you have verified that they are saved somewhere else.

How to turn on end-to-end encrypted WhatsApp backups

Cloud backups are not automatically protected by WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption in the same way as personal messages and calls. WhatsApp offers an optional end-to-end encrypted backup setting for an additional layer of protection.

1. Open WhatsApp → Settings → Chats → Chat backup.
2. Tap End-to-end encrypted backup.
3. Tap Turn on and follow the available setup options.
4. Depending on your app version and account, choose a passkey, password or encryption key option when offered.
5. Complete the setup and store any recovery credential safely, away from the phone being backed up.

Important: you must be able to authenticate with the method you set up when restoring an encrypted backup. If you lose access to the required passkey, password or key and cannot use an offered recovery method, WhatsApp cannot simply read the backup for you. Do not enable encryption and then save the only recovery credential inside the same phone without another recovery plan. WhatsApp has also introduced passkey-encrypted backups, with availability depending on rollout and app version. Read its passkey backup announcement.

How to restore WhatsApp chats on a new Android phone

1. On the old phone, open WhatsApp → Settings → Chats → Chat backup and run a fresh backup. Check the last backup time.
2. On the new phone, add the same Google Account that holds the backup.
3. Install WhatsApp from Google Play and verify the same phone number used for the backup.
4. When WhatsApp finds the backup, choose Restore from backup and follow the prompts. If offered, you may also see a direct transfer option from the old phone.
5. Keep both devices charged and connected as instructed. Media may continue restoring after messages appear.

WhatsApp backups are associated with both the phone number and Google Account. If you use a different account or number, the expected backup may not appear. Google also explains the supported WhatsApp transfer process to a new Android phone.

How to restore WhatsApp chats on a new iPhone

1. Confirm that a recent WhatsApp iCloud backup exists on the old iPhone.
2. On the new iPhone, sign in to the same Apple Account and enable iCloud Drive.
3. Install WhatsApp, verify the same phone number and follow the restore prompt during setup.
4. Keep the iPhone connected to Wi-Fi and power while messages and media restore.

If you have no iCloud backup but still have the old phone, check whether WhatsApp offers a supported direct chat-transfer option. Do not erase or trade in the old phone until the new phone shows the chats and important media you expected.

Transfer chats when moving between Android and iPhone

A Google Account backup is not a universal file that can be restored on every platform. When moving from Android to iPhone or iPhone to Android, follow WhatsApp’s supported device-migration flow and the setup instructions for the destination phone. The available process depends on the direction of transfer, phone models, operating-system versions and whether the destination phone is being set up for the first time.

Keep the old phone available, update WhatsApp on both devices, use the same WhatsApp phone number where required, and do not reset the old phone until the transfer is complete. Avoid unofficial migration apps that ask for broad access to private chats.

Local WhatsApp backups on Android: what to know

WhatsApp may maintain local backup files on an Android device, but their location and accessibility can vary with Android versions and app storage restrictions. A local copy stored on the same phone is not protection against losing or damaging that phone. It can also be overwritten as newer backups are created.

Do not delete WhatsApp database folders or rename backup files casually. If you are relying on a local backup for a move or recovery, follow WhatsApp’s current instructions for your device and make a separate copy before changing files. A current Google Account backup or supported direct transfer is usually the simpler option for most Android users.

Fix common WhatsApp backup problems

Backup is stuck or taking a long time

• Use a stable Wi-Fi connection and connect the phone to power.
• Restart the phone and try again.
• Check that there is enough free space on the phone and in the Google Account or iCloud account.
• Temporarily exclude videos if the backup is too large.
• Update WhatsApp and Google Play services on Android.

WhatsApp cannot find my Google Account backup

• Confirm that the same Google Account is added to the new phone.
• Verify the same phone number that was used to create the backup.
• On the old phone, check the Last backup date and confirm the backup completed.
• Make sure the new phone has enough free storage and a reliable internet connection.

Restore option is not appearing

WhatsApp normally offers the restore prompt during initial setup after number verification. If you skipped the prompt, follow WhatsApp’s official recovery instructions before reinstalling. Reinstalling or clearing app data can remove newer messages on the new phone, so make sure those messages are not needed first.

Encrypted backup password or key is not accepted

Check that you are entering the exact credential or using the passkey/recovery method originally configured. Do not delete the old phone or its WhatsApp installation until you have exhausted the supported recovery options.

For more troubleshooting steps, use WhatsApp’s official backup and restore troubleshooting page.

Backup checklist before changing phones

• Check the last successful backup date and time.
• Confirm the Google Account or Apple Account that contains the backup.
• Verify that you can receive verification codes for the WhatsApp phone number.
• Decide whether videos should be included.
• Save the encrypted-backup recovery method somewhere secure, if enabled.
• Keep the old phone until the new phone has restored and checked your important chats and media.

Frequently asked questions

1. How do I back up all my WhatsApp chats?

On Android, open WhatsApp → Settings → Chats → Chat backup, select a Google Account and tap Back up. On iPhone, open Settings → Chats → Chat Backup and tap Back Up Now. Check the last backup time after the process finishes.

2. Are WhatsApp backups stored in Google Drive?

On Android, WhatsApp can back up chats to the Google Account associated with the phone. The cloud storage is provided and managed by Google, and the backup uses space in that account.

3. Do WhatsApp backups count toward Google Account storage?

Yes. WhatsApp states that Android backups use Google Account storage. If the account is over its storage limit, you may need to free up space before backups can resume.

4. Can I back up WhatsApp without Google Drive?

WhatsApp also supports direct chat transfer between compatible devices. Android devices may have local backup files, but a local copy on the same phone is not a safe off-device backup. Follow WhatsApp’s supported transfer steps for your devices.

5. Can I restore WhatsApp chats without the old phone?

Yes, if you have a usable cloud backup and can access the same phone number and associated Google or Apple account. Without a backup or access to the old phone for a direct transfer, recovery may not be possible.

6. Will my WhatsApp videos be backed up?

Videos are controlled by an Include Videos setting on supported backup screens. If the option is off, videos may not be restored from that backup. Check the setting before creating the backup.

7. Can I restore an Android Google Drive backup on an iPhone?

No. A Google Account backup is not restored directly to WhatsApp on iPhone. Use WhatsApp’s supported cross-platform transfer process when moving between Android and iPhone.

8. What happens if I turn on end-to-end encrypted backups?

Your backup receives an additional layer of end-to-end encryption. You must retain access to the passkey, password or key method configured for recovery. Availability of passkey options can vary during rollout.

9. Why is my WhatsApp backup not completing?

Common causes include an unstable connection, insufficient phone or cloud storage, a large video backup, outdated app components or an interrupted process. Restart the phone, check storage, update the app and retry on a stable connection.

10. Does WhatsApp keep old versions of Google Account backups?

WhatsApp says a new Google Account backup replaces the previous backup for that phone number, so you should not expect to choose an older version later. Check the backup date before switching phones or restoring.

Final takeaway

Set up automatic WhatsApp backups, run a manual backup before changing phones, and verify the last successful backup rather than assuming it worked. Keep the linked Google or Apple account accessible, include videos if you need them, and protect encrypted-backup recovery credentials. Most importantly, keep your old phone until your new phone has successfully restored the chats and media you care about.

Related WhatsApp guides: After securing your backups, review our WhatsApp privacy tips to protect chats and account visibility, and learn how to use WhatsApp on multiple devices when accessing your account across phones and computers.