WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps with over 2 billion active users worldwide. It allows users to send messages, make voice and video calls, and share photos, documents, user locations and other media. One of the best things about WhatsApp is that it backs up chats to iCloud on iOS devices automatically. This allows you to restore chats in case you lose them or switch to a new device.
However, sometimes WhatsApp chat history fails to restore on iPhone during the process. There could be several reasons for this issue. In this detailed guide, we will uncover all the probable causes and solutions to fix WhatsApp chat history not restoring on iPhone.
Why WhatsApp Chat History Fails to Restore on iPhone?
There are a few common reasons why your WhatsApp chat history may fail to restore properly when you set up WhatsApp on a new iPhone or try to restore chats on your existing iPhone.
Incorrect iCloud Settings
One of the main reasons why WhatsApp chat history won’t restore on iPhone is if you don’t have proper iCloud settings enabled. WhatsApp uses iCloud to regularly back up your chats. So if iCloud backup is disabled or not configured correctly, your WhatsApp backups won’t happen as expected.
Some things to check:
- Make sure iCloud backup is enabled in your iPhone Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.
- Check that you have sufficient iCloud storage for backing up your device.
- Confirm that WhatsApp is toggled ON for iCloud backup under Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups.
- Enable Wi-Fi syncing for faster, unrestricted backups under Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.
Outdated or Corrupted Backup
If your last WhatsApp backup on iCloud is too old or has become corrupted, it can prevent a proper restore. Make sure your last backup was recent and completed successfully.
You can check your last backup date under WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chat Backup. If it was too long ago, manually back up to iCloud again.
Insufficient Storage Space
WhatsApp backups can take up a considerable amount of iCloud storage space. If your iCloud storage is completely full, the backup cannot complete and chat history will not restore.
Check your iCloud storage usage under Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage. If it’s full, you’ll need to free up space or purchase more iCloud storage.
Restoring from Non-iCloud Source
WhatsApp chat history will only restore from an iCloud backup. If you are trying to restore chats from a third-party app, local iTunes backup or Google Drive backup, it will not work.
Make sure to back up your chats to iCloud and restore from iCloud specifically when setting up WhatsApp again.
Chats Backup Not Enabled
WhatsApp allows you to disable chat backups entirely. So if you have disabled backups, there won’t be any chat history to restore.
Go into WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chat Backup and make sure it is enabled with a valid iCloud account connected.
Wrong iCloud Account
If you are restoring on a new iPhone or reinstalled WhatsApp, make sure you are logging in with the same iCloud account that was previously used to back up your chats.
Using a different iCloud account during setup won’t restore your chat history as it’s associated with your old account.
How to Fix WhatsApp Chat History Not Restoring on iPhone
Based on the reasons above, here are some step-by-step solutions to try when your WhatsApp chat history won’t restore on iPhone:
1. Check iCloud Settings
First, verify your iCloud backup settings:
- Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud.
- Make sure iCloud Backup is ON.
- Tap Manage Storage under Backup.
- Confirm WhatsApp is toggled ON.
While here, delete any old backups and check your iCloud storage usage. Free up space if needed.
2. Force iCloud Backup
Even with the correct settings, a manual backup may be required:
- Open WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
- Tap Back Up Now.
- Use Wi-Fi if prompted to avoid cellular data usage.
- Let the manual iCloud backup complete.
3. Update WhatsApp
An outdated version of WhatsApp could be causing the issue. Update to the latest version:
- Go to the App Store.
- Pull to refresh and check for any WhatsApp updates.
- Update WhatsApp if an update is available.
- Try your chat history restore again after updating.
4. Reinstall WhatsApp
If all else fails, uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp:
- Delete WhatsApp from your iPhone.
- Power cycle your device.
- Reinstall WhatsApp from the App Store.
- Restore chats during setup and see if it works properly.
5. Contact WhatsApp Support
For additional help, reach out directly to WhatsApp Support:
- Twitter: @WhatsApp
- Facebook: @WhatsApp
- Email: [email protected]
Explain your chat history is not restoring and they can troubleshoot further based on your specific situation.
Prevent WhatsApp Chat History Loss
Following proper backup procedures can help avoid losing your chat history if things go wrong in the future:
- Enable iCloud backup in Settings and keep backups recent.
- Back up important chats manually before uninstalling WhatsApp.
- Maintain sufficient iCloud storage for backups.
- Disable auto-delete old chats in WhatsApp Settings.
- Export the most important chats to email or other apps.
WhatsApp Chat History Restore Fails: Troubleshooting Questions
Here are some common troubleshooting questions and answers about restoring WhatsApp chat history:
Why does my WhatsApp history fail to restore?
The main reasons your WhatsApp chat history may fail to restore include incorrect iCloud settings, outdated/corrupted backups, insufficient storage, restoring from non-iCloud sources, chat backup disabled, or using the wrong iCloud account.
How can I get my WhatsApp chat history back?
First, force a manual iCloud backup from WhatsApp Settings. Then uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp, making sure to use the same iCloud account during setup. Your chat history should restore from iCloud backup.
Where are my old WhatsApp chats stored?
WhatsApp automatically backs up your chat history to iCloud on iOS devices. So your chat history is stored in iCloud as long as you have enabled WhatsApp chat backups.
Why are my old WhatsApp chats missing?
If your old WhatsApp chats are missing after restoring, the likely cause is that you don’t have a valid recent backup containing those chats in iCloud. You may need to recover missing chats from another source.
How do I transfer WhatsApp chats to a new phone?
To move WhatsApp chats to a new iPhone, you need to use the Move to iOS app during setup. This transfers iCloud backups from your Android device to your new iPhone, including WhatsApp.
How can I tell if my chats were restored?
Open up different chats in WhatsApp to verify your chat history. Check dates stamps on older messages to see if they were restored properly. You can also compare number of messages before and after.
Why does WhatsApp keep saying waiting for backup?
If WhatsApp is stuck “waiting for backup,” there is likely an iCloud sync issue preventing WhatsApp from backing up. Check your internet connection and iCloud settings. Force quit and restart WhatsApp to resolve.
Conclusion
Restoring WhatsApp chat history allows you to get back lost chats and seamlessly switch devices. But sometimes WhatsApp backup fails and chat history won’t restore on iPhone properly. By checking your iCloud settings, reinstalling WhatsApp, and contacting support, you can typically get your chats back. Be sure to maintain regular WhatsApp backups to iCloud to avoid permanent data loss.