Backing up your WhatsApp chats can be time consuming, especially if you have a lot of media files like photos and videos. The default WhatsApp backup to iCloud can take hours to complete. Luckily, there are some tricks you can use to speed up the WhatsApp backup process on your iPhone.
Why Should I Backup My WhatsApp Chats?
Here are some key reasons why you should regularly backup your WhatsApp chats:
- Preserve your chat history, media files, and documents in case you lose your phone or switch devices
- Restore chats if you accidentally delete a conversation or media file
- Transfer your chat history if you are moving to a new iPhone
Without a backup, you risk permanently losing all your WhatsApp data which can be devastating. So it’s crucial to backup regularly.
How Does WhatsApp Backup on iPhone Work?
WhatsApp uses iCloud to backup your chats on iPhone. Here is an overview of how it works:
- Backups occur automatically daily when your phone is charging, on WiFi, and the screen is locked
- The backup includes your chat history, photos, videos and other media files you exchanged
- The backup files are encrypted and stored in iCloud Drive
- You can also manually trigger a backup at any time from WhatsApp Settings
- Each account has its own backup so you can restore one chat history at a time
By default, WhatsApp will backup to iCloud so you don’t have to actively manage the process. But the frequency and speed of backups depend on your internet connection and iPhone storage availability.
How to Speed Up Your WhatsApp Backups
Here are 5 tips to speed up WhatsApp backup on your iPhone and spend less time waiting:
1. Use a Stable WiFi Connection
Since your WhatsApp backup uploads to iCloud, the speed depends largely on your internet connectivity. Backup over WiFi instead of mobile data for much faster speeds.
If you have an unstable WiFi router, consider upgrading to a mesh WiFi system for wider coverage. Or move closer to the router when you manually backup. Avoid backing up when connected to public WiFi which tends to be slower.
2. Backup Overnight or When Not Using Your Phone
WhatsApp backups happen automatically overnight when your phone is idle, charging and on WiFi. This is an optimal time as WiFi networks tend to be less congested.
Manually trigger a backup during downtime when you don’t need to use your iPhone. The backup will go much quicker if WhatsApp isn’t competing for bandwidth with other apps on your phone.
3. Clear Chat Backup Size in Settings
WhatsApp allows you to manage the size of your chat backups. The default is unlimited but this takes longer. Narrow it down to the most recent period you want backed up.
Go to WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chat Backup and select a size limit e.g. last 7 days. The smaller your backup, the less time it will take.
4. Update to Latest iOS Version
Apple regularly optimizes iOS to improve performance across the system. This includes faster backup speeds for various services including WhatsApp.
So always keep your iPhone updated to the latest iOS version. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check for any available updates to install.
5. Delete Large Files Before Backup
Media files like photos, videos and documents take up the bulk of WhatsApp backup size. So delete large files you no longer need before your next backup.
You can sort your chats by size in Settings > Data and Storage Usage. Review and delete the largest files from chats or media.
Other WhatsApp Backup Tips
Here are some additional tips for managing your WhatsApp backup:
- Check backup status regularly in WhatsApp Settings > Chats
- Create reminders to manually backup your chats regularly
- Turn on iCloud Backup in iPhone Settings to automatically backup WhatsApp
- Offload unused apps to free up storage space for backup
- Connect iPhone to power source so backup isn’t interrupted
- Use a different WiFi network if your primary one has issues
Alternative Faster Backup Methods
If your WhatsApp backups to iCloud are still too slow, consider these alternative backup methods:
Local iPhone Backup
You can backup WhatsApp chats directly to your iPhone storage rather than iCloud. This removes the Internet transfer time.
Go to WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chat Backup and select “Backup to this iPhone”. Just ensure you have enough free storage space on your device.
iTunes Backup
When you connect your iPhone to iTunes and do a full backup, this includes your WhatsApp chats. The wired connection makes it faster than wireless iCloud.
Third-party Apps
Apps like iMyFone iTransor for WhatsApp offer quicker backups over WiFi to your computer. But the chats are less secure versus encrypted iCloud backups.
Restore Chats from Backup
Once you have a recent WhatsApp backup, you can restore it to retrieve deleted chats or transfer to a new iPhone.
On your new device, install WhatsApp and verify your number. On the Chats screen, tap “Restore” and select the backup to restore from iCloud.
Conclusion
Backing up WhatsApp chats is essential to avoid losing your valuable conversations, photos, videos and other media. While the default iCloud backup can be slow, you can optimize the speed by following the tips outlined in this article.
Key recommendations include using a stable WiFi connection, scheduling backups for downtime, deleting large files before backup, staying updated on the latest iOS version and considering alternative backup tools. With a few adjustments, you can reduce the WhatsApp backup time on your iPhone drastically.