WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. It allows users to easily communicate with friends, family, colleagues, etc. through text messages, voice calls, video calls, images, documents and more.
One of WhatsApp’s key features is the ability to back up conversations to the cloud. This allows you to restore your chat history if you ever switch phones, upgrade your operating system or just want to free up space. Unfortunately, sometimes the WhatsApp backup restore process doesn’t work as expected. There are a few common reasons why your WhatsApp chats won’t restore properly.
Common Reasons Why WhatsApp Backup Restore Fails
Corrupted or Incomplete Backup File
The most common reason a WhatsApp backup restore fails is because the backup file itself is corrupted or incomplete. This can happen for several reasons:
- Low storage space on your phone during the backup – This can lead to the backup file not being written fully.
- Interrupted internet connection – An unstable internet connection during the backup process interrupts the data transfer and corrupts the file.
- Software bugs – Bugs in WhatsApp’s code can sometimes cause backup files to be created incorrectly.
- Backup location issues – Backing up to unreliable locations like an SD card that gets removed can corrupt backups.
If your backup file is corrupted or partial, WhatsApp will not be able to reliably extract all your chat data from it during a restore.
Mismatch Between Backup and Current WhatsApp Version
WhatsApp is updated frequently with new features and bug fixes. The backup file format also keeps changing to accommodate this.
If the WhatsApp version you are restoring from is too old compared to the version on your new phone, the app may not be able to read the old backup file properly. This compatibility issue leads to incomplete restores.
Restoring Across Platforms
WhatsApp backups are platform specific – iOS vs Android. So if you backup your chats on an iPhone and try to restore to an Android phone, it won’t work. The opposite is also true.
This happens because the chat database formats differ between operating systems. WhatsApp saves iOS backups to iCloud while Android backups go to Google Drive.
Google Drive Sync Issues
For Android users, WhatsApp backups are stored in the Google Drive cloud. Sometimes sync issues between your phone’s WhatsApp and Google Drive can prevent successful backup and restore.
Some common Google Drive sync problems include:
- Google Drive out of storage space – This prevents new backups from being written.
- Google Drive app not installed/configured properly – WhatsApp needs access to Drive for cloud backups.
- Google Drive connectivity issues – Unstable connections disrupt backup syncing.
Using a Very Old Backup
WhatsApp does limit how old a backup can be for a successful restore. This is done to prevent chat history from being too out of date when restoring to a new phone.
Typically, WhatsApp backups older than one year will not work. The app automatically deletes cloud backups over a year old as well.
How to Fix WhatsApp Backup Restore Not Working
If your WhatsApp chats are not restoring properly from a backup, here are some troubleshooting steps to resolve it:
1. Check for Backup Corruption
On Android, go to WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup. Look at the latest backup file size and date. If the size is 0KB or date is too old, your backup is corrupted.
On iPhone, go to Settings > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups. Select your device and check WhatsApp backup size. A size of 0KB indicates corruption.
You may need to delete this backup and create a fresh one.
2. Update WhatsApp to the Latest Version
Having the same WhatsApp version on both your old phone and new phone is vital for restore compatibility. Install all pending updates till you have the latest WhatsApp.
3. Use Cloud Backups, Not Local Ones
Always use WhatsApp’s built-in iCloud/Google Drive cloud backups for easy restores across devices. Avoid manual phone-to-phone local backups which have compatibility issues.
4. Check Google Drive Settings (Android Only)
On Android, ensure Google Drive has enough storage space, the app is installed/updated and you have stable internet connectivity. This will help avoid backup syncing issues.
5. Transfer Chats Manually (iOS Only)
On iPhone, you can manually transfer WhatsApp chats via a wired connection without backups. Just connect both phones and follow the data transfer prompts when setting up your new iPhone.
6. Contact WhatsApp Support
If all the above steps don’t work, contact WhatsApp support. They may be able to troubleshoot further and recover your chat history if backups are unreadable.
Best Practices for Backing Up WhatsApp Chats
Here are some tips to prevent WhatsApp backup and restore issues in the future:
- Create backups regularly, not just when switching phones.
- Only use official WhatsApp tools for backups – iCloud or Google Drive.
- Ensure your phone has enough storage space for backups.
- Connect to stable WiFi when making backups for uninterrupted uploads.
- Double check the last successful backup date and size under settings.
- Update WhatsApp frequently to avoid version compatibility problems.
- Never delete backup files manually from iCloud or Google Drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my WhatsApp backup size show as 0KB?
A 0KB WhatsApp backup size usually means the backup file is corrupted. This can happen due to connectivity issues, low phone storage, software bugs or other technical reasons while creating the backup initially. You’ll need to delete it and make a fresh backup.
Are WhatsApp backups encrypted?
Yes, WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption for all backups stored on Google Drive or iCloud. This means only you can access the backup – not even WhatsApp can read your chats. The encryption key is stored on your phone.
Can I transfer WhatsApp from iPhone to Android?
Directly transferring WhatsApp chat history between iOS and Android is not possible officially. Due to platform differences, your options are to either retain both phones or use a third party migration tool at your own risk.
Why does my old WhatsApp backup not restore on the new phone?
WhatsApp backups older than one year are not supported for restores. Even otherwise, major version updates can make very old backups incompatible. Try creating a new backup on your old phone before switching to avoid this issue.
How many WhatsApp backup files are stored in Google Drive?
WhatsApp maintains only the most recent backup in Google Drive. Older backups are deleted automatically once a day to save storage space. iCloud also keeps only the latest iOS WhatsApp backup.
Conclusion
WhatsApp backup restore not working properly is a common frustration for those switching phones or reinstalling the app. The most likely culprits are corrupted or old backup files, platform compatibility issues and Google Drive sync problems.
Following WhatsApp’s best practices around frequent, automated backups and updating the app regularly can help minimize backup and restore troubles. You can also try manual solutions like transferring chats directly from your old iPhone. But if all else fails, contacting WhatsApp support to retrieve your data remains an option.
With over a billion users, WhatsApp backup and restore is not always perfect. But keeping your data safe and being able to migrate to a new phone is critical. So understanding why WhatsApp backup restore can fail and how to fix it will save you from a major headache if you ever lose access to valuable chat history.