There are a few common reasons why WhatsApp messages may not restore from an iCloud backup:
- The iCloud backup is outdated and doesn’t contain the WhatsApp data you need
- There is a problem with the iCloud backup itself
- Your iPhone storage is full which can prevent restoring from iCloud
- WhatsApp’s restore feature is having technical issues
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to troubleshoot and get your WhatsApp messages back from an iCloud backup. In this article, we will cover the main reasons for WhatsApp messages not restoring and what you can do to fix it.
When was your last iCloud backup?
The first thing to check is when your last successful iCloud backup was completed. If it was awhile ago, your more recent WhatsApp messages won’t be included in that backup.
To view your last iCloud backup date:
- Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud
- Look under Apps Using iCloud for WhatsApp
- View the Last Backup date shown
If your last iCloud backup was more than a few days ago, the WhatsApp messages you are missing weren’t backed up. You’ll need to backup your iPhone again to iCloud to include your latest WhatsApp data.
Before doing another backup, try deleting the WhatsApp app from your iPhone and reinstalling it. This resets the app and forces it to fully backup next time.
Then connect to WiFi, plug your device into power, open WhatsApp and verify chats are syncing. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap Back Up Now. Stay connected until the process completes. This newer backup will include your latest WhatsApp information.
Check for issues with iCloud storage
If your iCloud storage is completely full, your backup can fail or only partially complete. This results in missing WhatsApp messages when you try to restore.
Check your iCloud storage usage in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage. If it’s completely full, you’ll need to upgrade your iCloud storage plan or clear out existing backups and files from your iCloud.
After freeing up iCloud space, do a fresh iCloud backup to capture your latest WhatsApp data. The steps are:
- Delete the WhatsApp app and reinstall it (resets the cache)
- Connect to WiFi and plug into power
- Open WhatsApp and verify chats are syncing
- Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now
- Stay connected until the new backup finishes
This will backup your WhatsApp messages to iCloud provided you have sufficient storage.
Troubleshoot iPhone and iCloud connection
For WhatsApp to successfully backup your messages, you need a stable internet connection and working iCloud sync between your iPhone and iCloud servers.
If you are having connection issues, here are some troubleshooting steps:
- Check your WiFi or cellular data connection on your iPhone. Go to Settings > WiFi or Settings > Cellular to verify you have a strong signal.
- Restart your iPhone – turn it fully off then back on. This resets connections.
- Update your iPhone software in Settings > General > Software Update. Being on the latest version fixes bugs.
- Make sure WhatsApp has permission to backup. Check Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > WhatsApp.
- Log out then back into iCloud on your device via Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud. Enter your Apple ID and password to re-authenticate.
- Use another WiFi/cellular network if possible in case your current one is having issues.
After troubleshooting connectivity, test your iCloud backup again. Delete and reinstall WhatsApp, verify chats are syncing, then do an iCloud backup with WhatsApp open. This often resolves intermittent connection problems.
Clear WhatsApp cache and data
WhatsApp can sometimes develop corrupt caches or data that prevent proper syncing and backup. Clearing this data forces WhatsApp to start fresh.
On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Look for WhatsApp and tap on it. At the bottom tap Offload App, then tap Reinstall App to clear all WhatsApp data.
When you open WhatsApp again, it will be like a fresh install. Log in, verify your chats are syncing, then back up to iCloud again. Clearing the corrupt data can allow your messages to properly backup.
Use iTunes or Finder to backup
If iCloud backups are still having issues, you can try backing up your iPhone locally using iTunes (Windows) or Finder (Mac). Connect your phone to your computer with a USB cable and backup to your PC or Mac instead.
Then when you restore your phone, choose to restore from this local iTunes/Finder backup file. It keeps your WhatsApp messages saved on your computer as an alternative to iCloud.
Restore from Google Drive backup
WhatsApp gives you the option to backup your messages to Google Drive as well. Check your WhatsApp settings to see if you have Google Drive backups enabled.
If so, uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp on your iPhone. When prompted, choose to restore from your Google Drive backup. This will retrieve your chat history from Google’s servers rather than iCloud.
The downside is Google Drive backups are manual and only happen when the app is open. But it provides a fallback option if you can’t get iCloud backups working properly.
Use WhatsApp Web to restore messages
If your messages are showing properly in WhatsApp Web but not on your iPhone, you can use the desktop app to restore your chat history:
- Go to web.whatsapp.com on your computer browser.
- Open WhatsApp on your iPhone > Settings > WhatsApp Web/Desktop > Scan the QR code.
- Verify your chats are showing in web app, then log out.
- On your iPhone, uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp.
- Scan the QR code again to link the mobile app to the desktop app.
- This will sync your chat history saved on WhatsApp Web to your iPhone.
While tedious, this process essentially uses WhatsApp Web to restore your chats and messages on mobile.
Contact WhatsApp support
If all else fails, reach out to WhatsApp directly for further help troubleshooting. Describe your situation and steps taken so far. Their technical support team may be able to identify issues recovering from iCloud and assist further.
- Twitter: @WhatsApp
- Facebook: WhatsApp Facebook Page
- Website contact: WhatsApp FAQ Contact
WhatsApp can investigate and resolve backup problems, restore messages if available, or at minimum provide specific steps tailored to your situation on getting your chat history back.
Third party apps to extract WhatsApp messages
If you are unable to restore using WhatsApp’s own backup features, third party apps provide another option to retrieve messages from iPhone or iCloud backups.
They extract the WhatsApp database files containing your chats from your device or iCloud. You can then view and export your conversations to PDF or other formats.
Some popular third party WhatsApp backup extractor apps:
These paid software let you dig into iPhone and iCloud backups to extract WhatsApp chats specifically. Handle your device carefully during the recovery process.
Use a different device for WhatsApp
If your iPhone continues having issues with WhatsApp backups and restoring messages, a workaround is to use a different device for WhatsApp until it gets resolved.
You can temporarily install WhatsApp on an Android phone or tablet, backup your chats, then access your messages on that device instead. Or use WhatsApp Web on your computer for chat access.
While not ideal, it allows you to regain access to your WhatsApp conversations by bypassing the iPhone restore issues. Be sure to continue troubleshooting so you can get WhatsApp working properly on your Apple device again.
Prevent Future WhatsApp Message Loss
Once you successfully recover your WhatsApp messages, follow these tips to keep them properly backed up and prevent issues re-occurring:
- Frequently back up your iPhone to iCloud – daily if heavily using WhatsApp.
- Enable Google Drive backups in WhatsApp settings for redundancy.
- Watch for iCloud storage full warnings and upgrade if needed.
- Keep your iPhone operating system up to date.
- Troubleshoot any WhatsApp crashes or connection issues immediately.
- Always maintain backups of your WhatsApp chats on another device or computer as well.
Proactively managing your WhatsApp backups helps secure your chat history. Act quickly if you notice your messages are not being restored properly from iCloud.
Conclusion
WhatsApp messages not restoring from iCloud backup can be frustrating. But in most cases, the issue can be resolved by troubleshooting your iCloud connection, managing storage, reinstalling WhatsApp, and forcing a fresh backup containing your chat data.
Check that your iCloud and iPhone are working properly, clear corrupt WhatsApp files, and try alternative backup options to iCloud like local iTunes or Google Drive. Contact WhatsApp support if the problems continue.
Be diligent about regularly backing up your WhatsApp chats and act quickly when something goes wrong. With proper troubleshooting, you can typically recover your lost or missing WhatsApp messages, keeping your conversations safe.