WhatsApp is a popular messaging app used by millions of people around the world. It allows you to send messages, photos, videos and make voice and video calls for free. Over time, the app can take up a significant amount of storage space on your iPhone. You may want to uninstall WhatsApp to free up storage space without losing your messages, media, and other data.
Can I uninstall WhatsApp without losing my data?
Yes, it is possible to uninstall WhatsApp without losing your messages, media, and other data. Here are the key things to know:
- Your WhatsApp data is stored separately from the app itself. Uninstalling the app does not delete your WhatsApp data.
- Your messages, photos, videos and other data are saved to your iPhone’s internal storage.
- As long as you do not delete the WhatsApp data from your iPhone’s storage, you can uninstall the app and reinstall it later to restore access to your data.
How to backup WhatsApp data
Before uninstalling WhatsApp, it is highly recommended to create a backup of your WhatsApp data. This provides an extra layer of protection in case anything goes wrong.
There are two ways to backup WhatsApp on iPhone:
iCloud Backup
You can enable iCloud backups to automatically backup your WhatsApp data along with your other iPhone data. To do this:
- Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud
- Make sure iCloud Backup is toggled on
- Tap on iCloud Backup and ensure WhatsApp is selected
- Tap Back Up Now to perform a manual iCloud backup
Local Backup
You can also backup WhatsApp locally to your iPhone’s storage:
- Open WhatsApp
- Go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup
- Tap on Back Up Now to perform a manual local backup
The local WhatsApp backup will save to your iPhone’s internal storage under WhatsApp/Databases.
How to uninstall WhatsApp
Once you have backed up your WhatsApp data, you can proceed to uninstall the app:
- Go to the Home Screen of your iPhone
- Locate the WhatsApp app icon
- Press and hold the WhatsApp icon until the icons start wiggling
- Tap the cross icon on the WhatsApp app to uninstall it
- Tap Delete to confirm and uninstall WhatsApp
This will only remove the WhatsApp app from your iPhone. Your messages, media, and other data will still be saved internally on your iPhone storage.
Reinstall WhatsApp to restore data
When you are ready to restore WhatsApp, simply redownload the app from the App Store and install it again. Upon opening WhatsApp, you will be given the option to restore your data from your previous iCloud or local backup.
To restore WhatsApp data on iPhone:
- Download and install WhatsApp from the App Store
- Open WhatsApp and agree to the Terms of Service
- On the ‘Restore Chat History’ page, tap Restore
- Select the backup source – iCloud Backup or Local Backup
- Tap Next and your backup will be restored
And that’s it! Your WhatsApp messages, media, and data will be restored as if you never uninstalled the app in the first place.
Important notes
- Do not delete the WhatsApp folders from your iPhone’s internal storage before reinstalling the app. This will erase your data.
- Make sure you remember your phone number associated with your WhatsApp account.
- If prompted for your SIM card during reactivation, use the same SIM that was associated with your account.
- If you get a new phone number, you will lose access to your old WhatsApp data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does uninstalling WhatsApp also delete my chat history?
No, uninstalling the WhatsApp app does not delete or erase your chat history, media, or account information that is saved on your iPhone’s internal storage. Your data remains intact unless you manually delete it.
Should I backup WhatsApp before uninstalling?
Yes, it is highly recommended to backup your WhatsApp data before uninstalling the app. Backing up to iCloud or locally provides an extra safeguard if anything goes wrong.
Where does WhatsApp store my chat history on iPhone?
WhatsApp data including messages, media files, and documents are stored in the WhatsApp database folders on your iPhone’s internal storage. The folder location is WhatsApp/Databases.
Can I restore my chat history if I reinstall WhatsApp?
Yes, when you reinstall WhatsApp on your iPhone, you will get the option to restore your chat history and data from either your iCloud backup or local backup files.
What happens if I get a new phone number before reinstalling WhatsApp?
WhatsApp is tied to your phone number. If you get a new phone number, you will no longer be able to restore your chat history on that device. Your only option would be to use your old number again.
Is my WhatsApp account deleted when I uninstall the app?
No, uninstalling WhatsApp only removes the app from your device. Your account continues to exist so long as you still have access to the phone number associated with the account.
Can I restore my chat history from Android on iPhone?
Unfortunately no, WhatsApp data from an Android device cannot be transferred directly to an iPhone. You can however email chat exports from Android to have a record.
Conclusion
Uninstalling WhatsApp does not have to result in losing valuable conversations, media, and information. By backing up your data properly and reinstalling WhatsApp, you can retrieve your chat history seamlessly. Remember to never delete the WhatsApp folders from your iPhone’s storage prior to reinstallation. With the proper steps, you can remove WhatsApp to free up space without the risk of losing your data.