How to back up your WhatsApp chats
If you lose or change your phone, a backup is the only way to get your chats back. WhatsApp does not keep them on its servers.
On Android
- Open WhatsApp and tap the three dots, then Settings.
- Look for Chats, then Chat backup.
- Choose the Google account to use and tap Back up (or Back up to Google Drive).
- Set how often you want automatic backups, such as daily or weekly.
- Decide whether to include videos. They take a lot of space.
On iPhone
- Open WhatsApp, then Settings.
- Look for Chats, then Chat Backup.
- Tap Back Up Now to save to iCloud.
- Turn on Auto Backup and pick a schedule.
Your iPhone needs enough free iCloud storage for the backup.
Turn on encrypted backups
In the same Chat Backup screen, look for End-to-end encrypted backup. It protects the backup with a password or key that only you know. Keep that password safe: without it you cannot restore.
Check it worked
Open Chat Backup and look at the last backup time and size. If it says “never”, fix it now.
Before you change phones
- Make a fresh backup.
- Use the same phone number and the same Google account or Apple ID on the new phone.
- Install WhatsApp, verify the number and choose Restore when asked.
More steps are in how to switch phones without losing anything.
Save space
Backups include photos and videos. If space is tight, see phone storage full: how to free up space, and secure your account with how to protect your WhatsApp account.
