Yes, you can backup WhatsApp using mobile data. WhatsApp allows users to backup their chat history, media, and settings to Google Drive or iCloud. This backup can be done over WiFi or mobile data.
How does WhatsApp backup work?
WhatsApp backups are done automatically from time to time. However, you can also initiate a manual backup whenever you want. Here is an overview of how WhatsApp backup works:
- The backup includes your messages, photos, videos, voice messages, document files, and other media you have exchanged on WhatsApp.
- It also backs up your WhatsApp settings and chat history.
- The backup is saved to your Google Drive account if you’re on an Android phone or to iCloud if you’re on an iPhone.
- WhatsApp encrypts your chat backup so that it remains private and secure.
- Each backup file can be up to 12GB in size.
- You can configure WhatsApp to do daily, weekly, or monthly backups.
- Manual backups don’t count against your Google Drive or iCloud storage quota.
How much data does WhatsApp use for backups?
The amount of mobile data used by WhatsApp for backups depends on the size of your backup file and the frequency of backups. Here are some estimates:
| Backup frequency | Estimated data usage |
|---|---|
| Daily | 100MB – 250MB per backup |
| Weekly | 500MB – 1GB per backup |
| Monthly | 1GB – 3GB per backup |
So if your backup file is around 500MB and you have weekly backups enabled, it may use 500MB – 1GB of mobile data for each backup. The actual usage can vary depending on your chat activity and media usage.
How to reduce WhatsApp backup data usage
Here are some tips to reduce WhatsApp backup data usage on mobile data:
Exclude large media from backup
WhatsApp allows you to exclude videos, photos, and other media from the backup. This significantly reduces backup size and data usage. You can find this option in WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
Use WiFi for backups
Configure WhatsApp to backup only when connected to WiFi. This prevents large backups from eating into your mobile data. Go to WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chat Backup and enable ‘Backup over WiFi only’.
Backup less frequently
Reduce the backup frequency to monthly or weekly instead of daily. Less frequent backups use less mobile data.
Delete old backups
WhatsApp doesn’t automatically delete old backups. You can manually delete backups older than a few months or weeks to save storage space and reduce backup size.
Clear WhatsApp cache
Clearing the WhatsApp cache can recover tens or hundreds of megabytes of space by removing temporary files. This helps keep backup size in check.
Limit media auto-download
If you have WhatsApp media auto-download enabled, it uses mobile data in the background. Restricting it only on WiFi saves mobile data.
Use Google Drive’s free 15GB quota
WhatsApp backups to Google Drive don’t count against your 15GB free storage quota. So make full use of this quota before paying for additional Google Drive storage for backups.
Should you rely solely on mobile data for WhatsApp backups?
It’s not recommended to rely entirely on mobile data for WhatsApp backups. Here’s why:
- Frequent large backups can eat up your monthly data allotment.
- Backups may fail to complete if you have poor/unreliable mobile data connectivity.
- Some media or messages may not get backed up properly on mobile data.
- It’s best to use WiFi for large, infrequent backups and mobile data for smaller, regular backups.
- Only use mobile data for backups if you have an unlimited data plan or don’t use WhatsApp heavily.
Best practices for backing up WhatsApp on mobile data
If you do need to backup WhatsApp on mobile data, follow these best practices:
- Reduce backup frequency to weekly or monthly instead of daily.
- Exclude large videos/photos from backup and only backup text messages.
- Manually backup important recent chats only instead of full backups.
- Stick to small weekly backups on mobile data and do a full backup monthly on WiFi.
- Ensure backups complete even if mobile data drops out temporarily.
- Perform manual backups to control exactly how much mobile data is used.
- Monitor your data usage closely and upgrade your plan if backups use up most of your data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WhatsApp backup to Google Drive free?
Yes, WhatsApp backups to Google Drive do not count against your Google Drive storage quota. So you get free unlimited storage for WhatsApp backups.
Can I schedule WhatsApp backups?
Yes, you can schedule automated daily, weekly, or monthly WhatsApp backups within the app settings. Go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > Backup Frequency.
How long are WhatsApp backups stored in Google Drive?
WhatsApp backups in Google Drive are stored indefinitely until you manually delete them. There is no expiration time for backups.
Do WhatsApp backups use Google Drive space?
No, WhatsApp backups to Google Drive do not count against your overall Google Drive storage quota. They get unlimited free storage.
Can I password protect my WhatsApp backup?
No, there is no option to password protect WhatsApp backups. However, they are end-to-end encrypted by WhatsApp to keep them private and secure.
How do I restore WhatsApp backup from Google Drive?
On an Android phone, uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp. On the setup screen, tap ‘Restore from Google Drive’ to restore your backup. On iPhone, uninstall WhatsApp, reinstall, verify your number, and tap ‘Restore’ on the backups screen.
Conclusion
Backing up WhatsApp on mobile data is possible but should be done cautiously. Prioritize using WiFi for large, comprehensive backups and restrict mobile data backups to small, incremental ones. Configure your backup settings wisely, exclude non-essential media, and monitor your data usage to avoid surprises. With prudent settings, you can safely backup your essential WhatsApp data over mobile data.