WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. It gets regular updates to add new features and fix bugs. However, a common concern when updating WhatsApp is the fear of losing chats and media. Thankfully, there are ways to update WhatsApp and keep your chat history intact.
Back Up Chats Before Updating
The key to updating WhatsApp without losing data is to back up your chats before installing the update. WhatsApp has a built-in backup feature that saves your messages, media, and settings to Google Drive or iCloud. Here are the steps to back up chats on Android and iOS:
On Android:
- Open WhatsApp and tap the three-dot menu icon in the top-right.
- Go to Settings > Chats > Chat backup.
- Tap Back Up to confirm backing up your chats to Google Drive.
On iPhone:
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings.
- Tap Chats > Chat Backup.
- Tap Back Up Now to confirm backing up chats to iCloud.
Backups happen automatically daily when your phone is charging and connected to Wi-Fi. However, it’s best to manually trigger a backup before an update just to be safe.
Update WhatsApp via the Play Store or App Store
Once your chat history is backed up, you can proceed to update WhatsApp on your device. The easiest way is to update via the app store on your platform:
On Android:
- Open the Play Store app.
- Go to the Updates section.
- If WhatsApp has an update available, tap Update.
On iPhone:
- Open the App Store app.
- Tap your profile icon in the top-right.
- Scroll down to see available updates and tap Update next to WhatsApp.
The update will download and install automatically. Be patient and let the update process complete before opening WhatsApp.
Restore Chats from Google Drive or iCloud
After updating, launch WhatsApp on your device. On first open, it will likely prompt to restore chats from the cloud backup. Tap Restore to retrieve your chat history and media from the backup.
If not prompted automatically, follow these steps:
On Android:
- Open WhatsApp > Three-dot menu > Settings > Chats > Chat restore.
- Tap Restore to retrieve chats from Google Drive.
On iPhone:
- Open WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Restore.
- Tap Restore to retrieve chats from iCloud.
Restoring from backup can take a few minutes depending on how much chat data you have. Once it’s complete, all your chats and media from before updating should be intact.
Enable Auto-Download to Recover Media
The chat history is recovered instantly from backup, but your media files (photos, videos, documents etc.) need to be downloaded again. To automatically re-download media from chats after restoring:
On Android:
- Go to WhatsApp Settings > Chats.
- Enable ‘Auto-download’ options for when on Wi-Fi and cellular data.
On iPhone:
- Go to WhatsApp Settings > Chats.
- Turn on ‘Auto-download’ options for when on Wi-Fi and cellular data.
This will queue all your previously sent media to auto-download in the background. You can also manually download specific media by tapping and holding the file placeholder.
Troubleshoot Issues Restoring Chats
In some cases, you may encounter issues restoring chats from backup after a WhatsApp update. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Check your internet connection – Backups require a stable internet connection.
- Update to the latest WhatsApp version – Old app versions may not read new backup files properly.
- Clear app cache/data – This wipes the app data and forces re-initialization.
- Unlink and relink WhatsApp account – Removes account association and re-verifies it.
- Contact WhatsApp support – They can further assist if backups get corrupted.
Prevent Chat Loss Without Backups
If you updated WhatsApp without backing up chats, all may not be lost. Here are some last resort tips to try recovering chats:
- iTunes or iCloud backup – Chats may be preserved in a local device backup.
- Google Drive backup – Android users may have old auto backups.
- SD card reader – Attach phone SD card to a computer to access files.
- Data recovery app – Specialized apps like Dr.Fone can restore some deleted data.
- Phone manufacturer tools – Some OEMs like Samsung have their own backup tools.
However, there is no guarantee of chat recovery without a proper WhatsApp backup. Always backup chats regularly to avoid permanent data loss.
Best Practices to Protect Chats
Follow these tips to make sure your chats are always protected when updating and reinstalling WhatsApp:
- Enable auto backup in WhatsApp settings to backup chats daily.
- Manually backup chats before every app update or phone OS update.
- Record important media and files outside WhatsApp for redundancy.
- Create a reminder to back up chats regularly every few weeks.
- Store media on SD card instead of internal storage if possible.
- Back up phone locally through iTunes or computer as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does WhatsApp backup chats?
WhatsApp automatically backs up chats daily if you have chat backup enabled in settings, your phone is charging and connected to Wi-Fi. You can also manually trigger a backup anytime.
Where does WhatsApp backup chats?
WhatsApp backs up chats to Google Drive for Android users and iCloud for iPhone users. Backups are encrypted and private to you.
Can I restore WhatsApp backup from old phone to new phone?
Yes, when setting up WhatsApp on a new phone, you can restore your chat history by verifying your phone number and restoring from Google Drive or iCloud.
Will my media files restore from backup?
Only chat history is instantly restored. Media files like photos and videos need to be re-downloaded from the backup after verifying your number.
How do I backup WhatsApp without Google Drive or iCloud?
You can manually back up WhatsApp chat history and media to a computer via third-party software like Dr.Fone, iSkysoft Toolbox or Wondershare MobileTrans.
Conclusion
Updating WhatsApp doesn’t have to mean losing valuable chats and memories. As long as you properly back up your chats before updating, you can seamlessly update to the latest WhatsApp version without any data loss. Remember to enable auto-backup, manually backup before updates, restore chats after updating, and re-download media for a smooth transition every time WhatsApp rolls out new features.