WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps used by billions of people around the world. It allows users to easily communicate with friends, family and colleagues through text, voice messages, video calls and more. One of the key features of WhatsApp is its ability to backup chats locally on the user’s device. This allows people to restore their chat history if they lose their phone or switch devices. However, many users have recently reported problems with WhatsApp not taking backups properly to restore from. In this article, we will explore some of the main reasons why WhatsApp local backups may fail and potential solutions to fix the problem.
Insufficient Storage Space
One of the most common reasons for WhatsApp backup failure is not having enough free storage space on your device. WhatsApp backups can take up quite a bit of space, especially if you have long chat histories and large media files. Here are some key points about WhatsApp backup size:
- Backups are stored in the internal storage of your phone, not external SD card
- Each backup file can be up to hundreds of MB or even GB in size
- The amount of storage space required depends on number of chats and media
- Video files, photos and documents take up the most backup space
If your phone storage is almost full, WhatsApp may not be able to successfully create a backup. Try freeing up space on your device by removing unused apps, files, videos and photos. You ideally need at least 500MB – 1GB of free space for WhatsApp to backup properly. You can also move files and media to an external SD card or cloud storage service.
Connectivity Issues
WhatsApp requires an active internet connection to backup your chats. Problems with your WiFi network or mobile data connectivity can prevent successful backup. Here are some potential connectivity issues:
- Poor WiFi signal or unstable internet connection
- Mobile data disabled or no reception/coverage
- Restrictive network firewalls blocking WhatsApp
- VPN configurations interfering with WhatsApp
Try switching between WiFi and mobile data to see if backups will work. Move closer to your wireless router to get a stronger signal. Disable any VPN services temporarily. Contact your mobile carrier if you frequently have network or data issues.
App Problems
Sometimes issues with the WhatsApp app itself can prevent proper backups. Things to check include:
- Update to the latest WhatsApp version
- Force close and restart the WhatsApp app
- Clear app cache and data
- Reinstall WhatsApp completely
- Check for any Android OS or firmware updates
- Try backing up on another phone if possible
Updating WhatsApp and your device software can resolve bugs preventing backups. Completely reinstalling the app as a last resort may also fix underlying app errors.
Backup Frequency
WhatsApp has automatic backup frequency set to 24 hours by default. This means it will only attempt a new backup once per day. If your backup fails one day, you may have to wait up to 24 hours for WhatsApp to try again. You can change the auto backup frequency to as often as every 30 minutes in WhatsApp settings.
Frequent automatic backups give you more chances to capture your latest chats. However, this may drain battery and mobile data. Find a balance that fits your usage needs.
Corrupted Backup Files
In some cases, the WhatsApp backup files themselves may become corrupted or damaged. This can prevent restoring even if backups were created successfully. Potential causes include:
- Power failures or device crashes during backup
- Unstable internet causing incomplete backups
- File system errors on device storage
- Using 3rd party tools trying to modify backups
If you suspect your backups are corrupted, first try deleting old backups in WhatsApp settings and forcing a fresh backup. As a last resort, perform a factory reset on your device to wipe its storage. Set up WhatsApp again to create brand new backups.
Third-party Apps
Using some third-party apps like backup managers, cleaners or battery savers can disrupt the official WhatsApp backup process. The app may block WhatsApp from accessing storage or terminating background tasks.
Try disabling or removing any apps that could modify device storage or app performance. Reboot your device after making changes to ensure normal operation.
Google Drive Backups
WhatsApp also offers backup to Google Drive to store your chat history online. However, there are a few key limitations:
- Only available on Android, not iOS
- Backup size limited to max of 2GB
- Requires Google account and Drive activated
- Needs stable internet connection to backup
Ensure you have enough free space in Google Drive and a strong internet connection. WhatsApp will backup the most recent chats up to the 2GB limit. Check Google Drive settings and account details if backups still fail.
Solutions to Restore Backups
If your WhatsApp backups are not working properly, here are some potential solutions to restore your chat history:
Use a Different Device
Try restoring your backup on a different phone or tablet if possible. This will confirm if the issue is with your specific device or something else.
iCloud or iTunes Backup
For iOS users, you may be able to extract WhatsApp chats from an iCloud or iTunes backup file saved on your computer.
Google Drive Backup
If you have Google Drive backup enabled, you can restore chats from there even if local backup fails.
SD Card Transfer
On Android, locate the WhatsApp/Database folder on internal storage or SD card. Copy the msgstore.db.crypt12 file to another device to import.
Third-party Apps
Some apps claim to extract WhatsApp chats from device storage or cloud backups. However, safety and reliability vary across apps.
WhatsApp Support
In some cases, you may need to contact WhatsApp support directly for help restoring chats if all else fails.
How to Fix WhatsApp Not Backing up in the Future
Once you have restored your chat history, take steps to avoid WhatsApp backup issues going forward:
- Clear sufficient storage space on your device
- Use stable WiFi or mobile data connections
- Update WhatsApp to latest version
- Adjust backup frequency as needed
- Disable battery optimizer settings for WhatsApp
- Remove any third-party apps interfering with WhatsApp
Setting up regular and automated backups is also recommended to avoid ever losing your chat history again. Enable Google Drive backup for an extra layer of protection.
Conclusion
WhatsApp backup failures can be frustrating but are often fixable. The most common issues involve insufficient storage, poor internet connections, app problems or corrupted files. Try the various solutions outlined above to restore and resume backups properly. With the right troubleshooting steps and setup, you can make sure your valuable WhatsApp chats are always backed up and safe.