WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. It allows users to backup their chat history and media to Google Drive or iCloud. This provides an easy way to transfer WhatsApp data to a new device or restore it in case your phone is lost, stolen, or needs to be replaced.
If you have an iPhone and backed up your WhatsApp data to Google Drive, you may need to access those backups from your iPhone at some point. Here are the key things you need to know about accessing WhatsApp backup on Google Drive using an iPhone.
Requirements for Accessing WhatsApp Backup on Google Drive
To access your WhatsApp backups from Google Drive on an iPhone, there are a few requirements:
- You need to have backed up your WhatsApp data to Google Drive previously from that iPhone or any Android device.
- Your iPhone needs to be connected to the internet to access Google Drive.
- You’ll need the Google account details that were used to backup WhatsApp data.
- Ensure you have enough free space on your iPhone to restore the backup.
- Your iPhone needs to be running iOS 10 or later.
As long as your iPhone meets these requirements, you can go ahead and access your WhatsApp backup from Google Drive using the steps outlined below.
Accessing WhatsApp Backup on Google Drive via iPhone
Here are the step-by-step instructions to access your WhatsApp backup saved on Google Drive using your iPhone:
- Open WhatsApp on your iPhone.
- Go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
- Tap on “Backup to Google Drive.”
- You’ll be asked to confirm your Google account details that were previously used to backup WhatsApp data.
- Enter your Google email ID and password when prompted.
- Tap “Backup” to begin restoring your WhatsApp data from Google Drive.
- Wait for the restore process to complete. This can take a while depending on the size of your backup.
- Once finished, your WhatsApp chats and media from Google Drive backup will be restored on your iPhone.
That’s it! By following these simple steps, you can easily access your WhatsApp backup from Google Drive on your iPhone. The data will be completely restored so you can continue using WhatsApp seamlessly.
WhatsApp Backup Size Limit on Google Drive
WhatsApp allows backing up your chat history and media to Google Drive for free. However, there is a size limit:
- Each WhatsApp user gets a free quota of 12GB on Google Drive to backup WhatsApp data.
- This includes chat history, photos, videos and other media files exchanged on WhatsApp.
- If the backup size exceeds 12GB, you’ll need to pay for additional Google Drive storage.
- Google Drive subscription plans start at $1.99 per month for 100GB storage.
So ensure your WhatsApp backup size is under 12GB to avoid any storage issues restoring it from Google Drive to your iPhone. You can check the backup size in WhatsApp’s chat backup settings.
Manage or Delete WhatsApp Backups on Google Drive
If you want to manage your WhatsApp backups saved on Google Drive, here are some options:
- View backup details – Open WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup. This shows your latest backup date, size and Google account used.
- Delete old backups – Only the most recent backup is required. Older backups can be deleted to free up storage space.
- Stop auto backup – You can turn off auto backup by going to WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > Auto Backup. This will prevent any new backups to Google Drive.
- Exclude media from backup – Large media files can be excluded from the backup in WhatsApp Settings > Data and Storage Usage.
All your WhatsApp backup files are saved in your Google Drive account under WhatsApp > Backups. You can also login to Google Drive on a computer to view or manage these backup files.
Troubleshooting WhatsApp Backup & Restore Issues
In some cases, you may encounter issues while trying to backup or restore WhatsApp data from Google Drive on your iPhone. Here are some common problems and solutions:
Backup Size Exceeds Limit
If you get an error that the backup size exceeds the 12GB free limit, you’ll need to either delete old backups or buy additional Google Drive storage.
Network Issues
Check that your iPhone is connected to a stable WiFi or cellular network during backup and restore. Slow/unreliable connections can disrupt the process.
Backup Corrupted
In rare cases, your WhatsApp backup file may be corrupted. Try deleting it and making a fresh backup. You may lose some recent data.
Insufficient iPhone Storage
Ensure you have at least a few GBs of free space on your iPhone before restoring a WhatsApp backup from Google Drive.
Wrong Google Account
Use the same Google account credentials that were used originally to backup WhatsApp data to Google Drive earlier.
Google Drive App Outdated
Make sure the latest version of the Google Drive app is installed on your iPhone. Update from the App Store if needed.
If you continue facing issues, contact WhatsApp or Google support with details for further troubleshooting assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WhatsApp backup to Google Drive encrypted?
Yes, WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption to secure backups saved to Google Drive. Only you can access the backup files.
Can I restore WhatsApp backup from Android to iPhone?
Unfortunately, you cannot directly restore a WhatsApp backup taken from an Android device to an iPhone. However, there are some third-party apps that may help transfer your chats.
Do deleted WhatsApp chats get backed up?
No, any messages or media you delete in WhatsApp before taking a backup will not be included in that backup file.
Can I backup WhatsApp without Google Drive?
On iPhone, you have the option to backup WhatsApp chats and media locally to iCloud instead of Google Drive. Just select iCloud in WhatsApp backup settings.
How often does WhatsApp backup to Google Drive?
By default, WhatsApp takes an auto backup to Google Drive daily. But you can also do a manual backup anytime from WhatsApp’s chat backup settings.
Conclusion
Backing up your WhatsApp data provides an easy way to move your chats and media seamlessly to a new iPhone or recover them in case of any issues with your phone. Following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily access your WhatsApp backups from Google Drive on your iPhone.
The key things to remember are – check the backup size limit, use a stable internet connection, enter the right Google account credentials, have enough free iPhone storage and update to the latest app versions. Taking these precautions will ensure smooth backup and restore.
So safeguard your WhatsApp chats, photos, videos and other precious memories by regularly backing up to Google Drive. And you can refer to this guide anytime you need to restore that data back to your iPhone from the cloud.