WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. Many WhatsApp users have iPhones and utilize iCloud for storage. A common question is whether WhatsApp chats are stored in iCloud.
The Short Answer
WhatsApp chats are not directly stored in iCloud. However, iCloud backups do include WhatsApp data such as messages, media, and settings. So while WhatsApp data is not stored directly in iCloud, it is included in iCloud backups.
Where WhatsApp Stores Data
WhatsApp has its own built-in database to store all user data, including:
- Messages
- Media (photos, videos, voice messages, documents)
- Contacts
- Settings
This WhatsApp database is stored locally on each user’s device. For iPhone users, it is stored in the apps internal storage. It is not directly stored in or synced with iCloud.
WhatsApp Database Storage on iPhones
On iPhones, the WhatsApp database is stored in the following location:
Internal Storage > Apps > WhatsApp > Documents > ChatStorage.sqlite
This database file contains all messages, media files, contacts and other data from WhatsApp. It allows WhatsApp to store and retrieve data on the local device storage.
iCloud Backups Include WhatsApp Data
While WhatsApp does not directly sync or store data in iCloud, WhatsApp data is included in iCloud backups on iPhones. Here’s how it works:
- iCloud can be enabled to create regular backups of iPhone data
- These backups include all apps data, settings and files
- WhatsApp’s local database and files are included in iCloud backups
- Restoring from an iCloud backup restores WhatsApp content and data
So in this sense, WhatsApp chats, history, media, contacts etc are all backed up to iCloud. But the WhatsApp database itself remains stored locally and separate from iCloud.
WhatsApp Data in iCloud Backups
Here are some examples of WhatsApp data that is included in iCloud backups from iPhones:
| WhatsApp Data | Description |
|---|---|
| Messages | Text messages, attachments, date/time stamps |
| Media | Shared photos, videos, voice messages, documents |
| Contacts | WhatsApp contacts, contact details |
| Settings | Preferences, notification settings, chat wallpapers |
Restoring WhatsApp Backups from iCloud
The main benefit of having WhatsApp data included in iCloud backups is it allows restoring your WhatsApp content.
If you get a new iPhone, restoring an iCloud backup will also restore your WhatsApp data such as:
- Message history
- Media files sent/received
- Contacts
- Settings and preferences
This makes moving to a new iPhone much easier, as you can pick up where you left off with WhatsApp.
Steps to Restore WhatsApp from iCloud
Follow these steps to restore WhatsApp from an iCloud backup on iPhone:
- Reset or setup new iPhone
- Select ‘Restore from iCloud backup’ during setup
- Log in to iCloud and choose desired backup
- Allow backup to restore to iPhone
- WhatsApp data will be restored
- Log in to WhatsApp to finish setup
Manually Backing Up WhatsApp Data
While iCloud backups provide an overall backup containing WhatsApp data, you can also manually backup your WhatsApp information.
This allows creating a dedicated WhatsApp backup file to export or save separately from iCloud.
Creating Local WhatsApp Backups
To manually backup WhatsApp data on an iPhone:
- Open WhatsApp Settings
- Go to Chats > Chat Backup
- Tap “Back Up Now” to create new local backup
This will create a latest local backup of your WhatsApp data which can be restored later if needed.
Restoring from Local WhatsApp Backups
To restore WhatsApp content from a manually created backup:
- Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp
- Verify phone number
- On setup screen, tap “Restore”
- Select desired local backup to restore
Transferring WhatsApp to New iPhone
When moving to a new iPhone, you have a few options to transfer WhatsApp data:
- Restore iCloud backup on new phone
- Use Move to iOS app to transfer WhatsApp content
- Manually export chat history and import on new phone
Using Move to iOS App
Move to iOS is an Apple app for Android that transfers data from Android to iPhone. This includes WhatsApp content.
To use Move to iOS to transfer WhatsApp:
- Install Move to iOS on Android phone
- Follow prompts to transfer data to new iPhone
- WhatsApp history will be copied from Android to iPhone
Manually Transferring WhatsApp Data
You can also manually export WhatsApp chat history from your old iPhone and import it on your new iPhone.
Follow these steps:
- On old iPhone, backup WhatsApp chats to iCloud
- On new iPhone, install WhatsApp and verify number
- On old iPhone, open WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chat History > Export Chat History
- Email chat history file to yourself
- On new iPhone, open exported file to import history
Backing Up WhatsApp Data Outside of iCloud
While iCloud provides an overall backup solution, you may want to backup your WhatsApp data separately as well.
This provides an additional backup source for your WhatsApp information that is separate from iCloud.
External Storage Options
Some options for backing up WhatsApp outside of iCloud include:
- Computer – Save chat history files and media to computer
- External drive – Use flash drive or external HDD to store WhatsApp backups
- Google Drive – Android users can backup WhatsApp to Google Drive
- Other cloud storage – Services like Dropbox or OneDrive can store WhatsApp backups
Third-party Apps
There are various third-party apps that can help backup WhatsApp chats, media, and data outside of iCloud:
- Wutsapper – Backup app that exports WhatsApp data to computer
- iMazing – Manage and export iPhone/iPad backups, including WhatsApp
- PhoneView – Browse and extract backup files, allows WhatsApp backup
These types of apps provide more manual control over WhatsApp data backups.
Summary
In summary:
- WhatsApp stores data locally in its own database, not directly in iCloud
- WhatsApp data is included in overall iCloud backups from iPhones
- You can restore WhatsApp chats, media, contacts by restoring an iCloud backup
- Manually back up WhatsApp anytime outside of iCloud for extra redundancy
So while WhatsApp and iCloud are not directly integrated, you can use iCloud backups to preserve your WhatsApp data. You can also create separate WhatsApp backups manually for additional backup protection.
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