WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. It allows users to easily communicate with friends, family and coworkers through text, voice messages, video calling and more. One of WhatsApp’s key features is its ability to backup chats and media to the cloud, providing users with a way to restore their messages if they lose their phone or switch to a new device.
By default, WhatsApp backs up user data to Google Drive on Android devices and iCloud on iOS. However, sometimes users may want to transfer their backup from one cloud service to another – for example, when switching from an Android phone to an iPhone. So can you download your WhatsApp backup from Google Drive and upload it to iCloud? Let’s take a look at how WhatsApp backups work and if it’s possible to transfer them between cloud services.
How WhatsApp Backups Work
When enabled, WhatsApp automatically backs up your messages, media, settings and other data on a regular basis. Backups include your chat history, photos, videos and other media you’ve exchanged, as well as your settings and chat configurations.
On Android devices, WhatsApp backs up to your Google Drive account. You can configure how often backups occur (such as daily or weekly) and whether they are done only when connected to WiFi. Backups are stored in Google Drive within a specific WhatsApp folder. The backup files are encrypted and cannot be read or opened without WhatsApp.
For iOS devices, WhatsApp backs up your data to iCloud. Backups occur daily when your phone is connected to power and WiFi. Your chat history and media is encrypted and stored in iCloud Drive within the WhatsApp backup folder. As with Google Drive, these backups are encrypted and can only be restored within WhatsApp.
So in summary:
- Android: Backups to Google Drive account
- iOS: Backups to iCloud Drive account
- Backups are encrypted and exclusive to WhatsApp
- Allows you to restore chats, media, settings when installing WhatsApp on new device
Can You Transfer WhatsApp Backups Between Google Drive and iCloud?
Since WhatsApp backups are encrypted and tied specifically to WhatsApp, you cannot simply move the backup files between cloud services and expect them to work. For example, you cannot manually download your Google Drive WhatsApp backup and upload it to iCloud Drive.
Even if you could upload the files, they would not restore properly within WhatsApp. Each backup is encrypted uniquely for the platform it was created on. A Google Drive backup has different encryption than an iCloud backup. So a backup made for Android won’t restore all your data correctly on an iPhone, and vice versa.
Unfortunately, there is no official way to transfer your WhatsApp backup from Google Drive to iCloud if you want to switch ecosystems. The only option is to use a third-party app or service that can transfer your chats and media across platforms.
Third-Party Options to Transfer WhatsApp Chats
Here are a few third-party options you can use to transfer your WhatsApp chats and history between Android and iOS:
Dr.Fone – WhatsApp Transfer
Dr.Fone is a popular data transfer app for iOS and Android. Their WhatsApp Transfer tool allows you to move your WhatsApp data between devices, including chat history, photos, videos, voice messages and more. Here’s an overview of how it works:
- Install Dr.Fone on both your old Android device and new iPhone.
- Connect both devices to your computer.
- Select WhatsApp Transfer and choose your transfer direction.
- Dr.Fone will sync and transfer your WhatsApp data directly between devices.
- You can then restore and access your chats on your new phone.
Dr.Fone transfers the WhatsApp data file directly between devices, independent of your backups. This allows you to move your chats between Android and iOS seamlessly.
CopyTrans Contacts
CopyTrans Contacts is designed to quickly transfer contacts, calendars, and other data between iOS, Android, and other platforms. This includes the ability to transfer WhatsApp messages between devices. Here’s how it works:
- Install CopyTrans Contacts app on both devices.
- Connect both phones to your computer.
- The app will detect WhatsApp messages on your devices.
- Select the WhatsApp chats you want to transfer.
- Verify and confirm the transfer between devices.
- Your WhatsApp chats and history will now transfer to your new phone.
The main drawback is that CopyTrans Contacts requires you to root (Android) or jailbreak (iOS) your devices for WhatsApp transfers. So it’s a bit more complex than some other solutions.
MobileTrans – WhatsApp Transfer
MobileTrans by Wondershare is another phone data transfer tool similar to Dr.Fone. It allows you to move WhatsApp messages between iOS, Android, and other platforms. Here is an overview of the process:
- Download and install the MobileTrans app on your computer.
- Connect your Android and iOS devices to your computer.
- Select the WhatsApp Transfer option in MobileTrans.
- Preview and select the WhatsApp chats you want to transfer.
- MobileTrans will migrate your chats to your new device.
The main advantage of MobileTrans is that it does not require you to root or jailbreak your devices. It can transfer chats directly between Android and iOS effortlessly.
Other Options
A few other apps and services that advertise WhatsApp backup transfers between Android and iOS include:
- Syncios – Claims to transfer WhatsApp chats between different operating systems without rooting or jailbreaking.
- CopyTrans Shelbee – Another utility by CopyTrans that focuses specifically on WhatsApp transfer between platforms.
- iMyFone iTransor – WhatsApp transfer app that supports iOS and Android.
- Tenorshare iCareFone – Transfer tool that can move WhatsApp chats directly between Android and iOS.
However, quality and reliability of these third-party apps can vary. I recommend researching reviews and feedback for any app before downloading and trying it.
Using Local WhatsApp Backups
If you are unable to use a third-party app, another option is using local WhatsApp backups saved on your device:
- On Android – Go to WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > Back Up to create a local backup file on your device storage or SD card.
- On iPhone – Go to WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > Back Up Now to create an iCloud backup or Encrypted Backup to store locally on your device.
- Locate the backup file on your old device and transfer it to your new device using a USB cable or cloud storage service.
- On your new device, restore your WhatsApp backup:
- Android – On first open, select Restore > Next and locate your backup file.
- iOS – Delete WhatsApp, reinstall, verify your number, then on first open tap Restore > Next and select your backup.
This uses your local backups rather than your Google Drive or iCloud backups. While a bit more complex, it does provide a way to transfer chats without third-party apps if needed.
Summary
To recap the key points:
- You cannot directly transfer WhatsApp backups between Google Drive and iCloud
- Backups are encrypted specifically for Android and iOS
- You need a third-party app to transfer WhatsApp chats between platforms
- Dr.Fone, CopyTrans, MobileTrans are top options for WhatsApp transfers
- You can use local backups as an alternative to cloud backups for chat transfers
I hope this gives you a better understanding of how WhatsApp backups work and the options to move your chats from Android to iOS or vice versa. Let me know if you have any other questions!