Guides

Restore WhatsApp: complete guide

Learn how to restore WhatsApp and recover chats and messages even without a backup. Complete guide for Android and iPhone.

Android and iPhone devices

4 December 2025

Table of contents

  • What does it mean to restore WhatsApp?
  • Why do you lose WhatsApp or chats?
  • How to restore WhatsApp on Android
  • How to restore WhatsApp on iPhone
  • How to restore WhatsApp accidentally deleted without backup
  • How to manually back up WhatsApp
  • Practical tips to avoid losing chats

Have you ever found yourself in the unpleasant situation of accidentally deleting WhatsApp or losing your WhatsApp chats after switching phones? You’re not alone. Every day, millions of users search for how to restore WhatsApp after an accidental uninstallation, a phone reset, or an operating system update. The biggest fear is losing important messages, shared photos, or work files.

In this complete guide, we’ll look at how to restore WhatsApp chats in different scenarios: from recovery via Google Drive or iCloud backup, to more complicated situations such as restoring WhatsApp accidentally deleted without backup. We’ll analyze the differences between Android and iPhone devices, the technical limitations of the procedures, practical tips to avoid data loss, and even some alternative solutions.

What does it mean to restore WhatsApp?

When we talk about restoring WhatsApp, we mean bringing the app and its content back to a previous state. This can happen in several ways:

  • Reinstalling the app from the Play Store or App Store.
  • Recovering WhatsApp chats from a backup file saved on Google Drive, iCloud, or locally.
  • In more complex cases, using third-party software to recover deleted files.

Restoring can involve the entire application or just the messages. Sometimes the app reinstalls without issues, but the conversations don’t appear because the backup wasn’t set up correctly or wasn’t up to date.

Why do you lose WhatsApp or chats?

Before learning how to restore a WhatsApp backup, it’s important to understand why users face the loss of their conversations. The causes can vary and often occur unexpectedly, creating panic and frustration.

One of the most common reasons is accidental deletion. It may seem trivial, but a simple wrong tap on the screen can uninstall the app, or a quick reset of applications to free up memory can remove it. In these cases, if no WhatsApp backup was set, reinstalling won’t bring messages back. Many users realize this problem only after losing important information such as work conversations or significant media files.

Another common situation is changing devices. Switching from an old phone to a new one is something everyone faces eventually. However, if the data transfer isn’t configured properly, WhatsApp chats may not transfer automatically.

Example
On Android devices, the backup is managed via Google Drive, while on iPhone it’s handled through iCloud. Those who don’t know this difference risk having the app installed but with no saved conversations.

Resetting the operating system is another frequent cause. Many users format their smartphones to solve performance issues, free up space, or after a failed update. However, this process also deletes WhatsApp’s local backup files. If the backup wasn’t sent to Google Drive or iCloud, the chats are permanently lost.

Then there are update issues. Sometimes a WhatsApp or system update may create temporary incompatibilities or, worse, corrupt saved data. A damaged local backup or one incompatible with the new software version can prevent the correct restoration of chats. This often happens when using very old versions of the app or operating system that no longer support the latest backup formats.

Finally, there’s the issue of disabled backup. Many users ignore the automatic save option and never click “Back up now.” Without scheduled backups, WhatsApp doesn’t generate security copies, and upon reinstallation, it won’t be possible to restore messages. This mistake is even more common among those unfamiliar with app settings or cloud services like Google Drive and iCloud.

How to restore WhatsApp on Android

For Android devices, there are two main options: restoring chats from a Google Drive backup or from a local backup saved in the phone’s internal storage.

Restore from Google Drive

The most common method is through Google Drive, as WhatsApp allows you to link your Google account and automatically save data.

Steps:

  • Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp from the Play Store.
  • Launch the app and enter your phone number.
  • After verification, WhatsApp will detect the Google Drive backup.
  • Tap “Restore” to recover messages, photos, and videos.

Note: You must use the same phone number and Google account for data recovery to work.

Restore from local backup

If, for any reason, the Google Drive backup isn’t available, you can try recovering via a backup file saved in the phone’s internal memory.

Typical path:

Internal Storage > WhatsApp > Databases

Here, you’ll find files with extensions like msgstore.db.crypt14. These are your local backups.

Steps:

  • Copy the most recent file onto the new device, in the same folder.
  • Install WhatsApp.
  • During setup, the app will detect the local backup and ask if you want to restore it.

How to restore WhatsApp on iPhone

For iOS users, the procedure is slightly different, since the default backup service is iCloud, not Google Drive.

Restore from iCloud

  • Check that a backup exists on iCloud Drive: go to Settings > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups.
  • Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp from the App Store.
  • Enter your phone number.
  • Accept restoration from iCloud.

If backup was never enabled, chats cannot be recovered.

Automatic local backup

How to restore WhatsApp accidentally deleted without backup

Many users look for solutions in this scenario: the app was deleted, and no WhatsApp backup exists. Unfortunately, recovery isn’t guaranteed, but there are some methods worth trying:

  • Automatic local backup
    WhatsApp automatically creates daily copies (for 7 days) in the phone’s memory. You might find them even without Google Drive enabled.
  • Data recovery software
    Programs like Dr.Fone or iMyFone can scan the phone’s memory for deleted files. Success depends on how much time has passed since deletion.
  • Check media files
    Shared photos and videos may still be in your gallery, even if chats are gone.

Note: It’s not always possible to restore WhatsApp accidentally deleted without backup, since deleted files may be overwritten by the operating system.

How to manually back up WhatsApp

Sometimes the problem isn’t the absence of a backup, but the fact it isn’t up to date. In these cases, you can force an immediate save.

On Android:

  • Go to WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat backup.
  • Tap “Back up now.”

On iPhone:

  • Go to WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat backup.
  • Choose whether to include videos, then tap “Back up now.”

Once the file is created, you can reinstall the app and recover all your data.

Differences between Android and iOS

While the procedures to restore WhatsApp are similar, there are some differences:

  • Android uses Google Drive and also supports local backups.
  • iPhone relies exclusively on iCloud.
  • On Android devices, you can manually copy backup files, while iOS doesn’t allow this.
  • The operating system’s compatibility can affect recovery: older versions may not support newer backup formats.

Practical tips to avoid losing chats

Restoring WhatsApp can certainly be useful, but the real winning strategy is to prevent conversation loss before it even happens. Many users only realize the importance of backups when it’s too late, and by then, they are left trying complex procedures with uncertain results. To avoid unpleasant situations, there are some good practices you should follow regularly, regardless of the type of phone you use.

  • The first tip is to always enable automatic backups on Google Drive for Android devices or iCloud for iPhones. This way, your WhatsApp chats are continuously saved, and you can easily recover them in case of uninstallation or switching to a new smartphone. Activating this feature takes only a few seconds, yet it can make the difference between losing everything and restoring your messages in just a few clicks.

If you use the app frequently for work, or exchange important photos, videos, and documents, it’s advisable to schedule daily backups. By setting a daily frequency, you ensure even your most recent messages are included in the backup. Backups can also be scheduled weekly or monthly, but the more frequent they are, the lower the risk of losing important conversations.

  • Another good habit is to manually check the backup status. Simply setting it up isn’t enough sometimes, due to internet connectivity issues or limited space on Google Drive or iCloud, the backup may fail. Periodically checking the date and time of your last backup ensures the system is working correctly. If something seems off, you can immediately click “Back Up Now” to create an updated file.

A critical moment when many users lose their chats is when changing phones. Before moving your SIM to a new device, it’s essential to perform a full backup. Only then can you easily restore your conversations on the new smartphone, regardless of the operating system. When switching between Android and iPhone, dedicated tools exist to simplify migration, but having an up-to-date backup remains indispensable.

Finally, a common mistake to avoid is manually deleting backup files from your device’s internal storage. You might want to free up space by removing folders that seem unnecessary, but WhatsApp backup files are essential for recovery. Even if you rely on Google Drive or iCloud, keeping a local copy can be an extra safeguard in case of cloud issues.

Practical scenarios

  • Scenario 1
    You changed your Android smartphone and want to transfer chats. → Solution: restore from Google Drive.
  • Scenario 2
    You formatted your phone without enabling backup. → Solution: try recovery from a local backup.
  • Scenario 3
    You accidentally deleted the app without enabling backup. → Solution: try data recovery software.

Limits of restoration

Even though procedures work in most cases, there are limitations:

  • You can’t restore backups created with a different phone number.
  • You can’t transfer chats from Android to iPhone with official methods (a dedicated tool is required).
  • Very old backups may no longer be compatible.

Questions and answers

  1. Can I restore WhatsApp without a backup?
    Yes, but only in lucky cases through local backup or data recovery software.
  2. Where can I find local backups on Android?
    In Internal Storage > WhatsApp > Databases.
  3. Can I choose which backup to restore?
    Yes, by renaming the desired file as msgstore.db.crypt14.
  4. How long does it take to restore chats?
    It depends on the backup size and your connection speed.
  5. Are recently deleted messages always recoverable?
    No, it depends on whether they were included in the last backup.
  6. If I change my phone number, can I restore chats?
    No, backups are tied to the original number.
  7. Are media files restored along with chats?
    Yes, if they were included in the backup.
  8. Can I transfer chats from Android to iPhone?
    Not with standard methods; third-party apps like “Move to iOS” are needed.
  9. What happens if I uninstall WhatsApp without backup enabled?
    You risk losing all chats.
  10. How do I check if backup is active?
    Go to WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat backup and check the last backup date.
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