‘My iCloud is likely to run out of room. Can I stop WhatsApp backup on iPhone?’— From discussions.apple.com
Explore solutions to halt WhatsApp backup on iPhone/Android devices, and This guide covers methods to stop it, giving you better control over your data management.
How to Stop WhatsApp Backup on iPhone
On iPhone, the main difference between these methods is whether you are turning off WhatsApp's own backup schedule, cutting off iCloud access for the app, or blocking the internet connection entirely. Each one stops backups in a different way.
1.1 Stop from iPhone Settings
You can easily disable an automatic WhatsApp backup from the iPhone settings. Follow these simple steps to do it.
- Open the settings on your iPhone then tap on your name at the top.
- Select “iCloud” and then scroll down to find “WhatsApp”.
- Toggle the switch next to it to turn off “WhatsApp”. This will disable the automatic backup and prevent WhatsApp from the backing up to iCloud.
stop whatsapp backup on iphone settings
1.2 Disable WhatsApp Backup from iCloud
You can disable the automatic WhatsApp backup from within WhatsApp. Here’s how to do it.
- Open WhatsApp on your device then go to the “Settings”.
- Tap Chats > Chat Backup.
- Tap on “Auto Backup” then tap “Off” and automatic backups to iCloud will stop.
disable whatsapp backup from icloud
You can follow the same steps above to turn on the automatic backup feature again.
1.3 Turn off Network Connection
Turning off network access can also stop backups, but it is the bluntest method because it affects much more than WhatsApp. Use it only as a temporary workaround, since it can interrupt app updates, message delivery, and other services on the phone.
How to Stop WhatsApp Backup on Android
There are 3 ways for Android device users to stop WhatsApp from automatically updating to Google Drive as well. They include the following.
2.1 From WhatsApp Settings
The simplest Android method is changing the WhatsApp backup frequency to "Never." That keeps the app installed and working while preventing future automatic Google Drive backups until you switch the setting back.
- Open WhatsApp on your device then tap on the “Menu” (the three dots at the top right corner of the screen”.
- Now select “Settings” then tap “Chats”.
- Tap “Chat Backup” then select “Back up to Google Drive” under “Google Drive Settings”.
- Tap on “Never” to change the backup frequency so WhatsApp will stop all automatic backups on WhatsApp to your Google Drive.
stop whatsapp backup on android
You can also use this process to enable the automatic backup process again if you want.
2.2 From Google Drive
If you want to disable the existing WhatsApp backup entry from the Google Drive side, use these steps. This approach is more about stopping Drive from keeping that backup relationship than just changing the in-app schedule.
- Open the Google Drive app on your device and the tap on the three dots at the top right corner.
- Tap “Backups” in the options that appear.
- You should see “WhatsApp Backup”. Tap on the three dots (menu) button next to it.
- Tap “Turn off this Backup” and automatic WhatsApp backups to your Google Drive will stop.
google drive whatsapp backup location
2.3 Turn off Network Connection
You might also be able to turn off automatic backups by disabling the network connections on your device. To do that, simply open the settings on your device and then turn off both “Wi-Fi” and “Mobile Networks”.
Although this will turn off the automatic backups, it also means that you won’t be able to access features, services and apps that require a connection to function properly.
Tip: Backup WhatsApp without Storage Restriction (FREE)
You may find an iCloud or Google drive alternative to back up WhatsApp with unlimited storage. To do this however, you need a third-party tool – Mobitrix WhatsApp Transfer, allowing you to easily back up WhatsApp messages with the most exclusive technology.
- Totally free to fully or partially back up WhatsApp chats & attachments on your computer. Your private data will not be uploaded to cloud or be leaked out.
- It smoothly supports all Android and iOS device models, including the latest operating systems, Android 16.0 and iOS 26.
- Large amount of WhatsApp messages can be backed up by Mobitrix without storage restriction.
successfully back up whatsapp
The safest approach is not "no backup" but "no unwanted automatic backup." If you disable the cloud schedule, make sure you still keep a manual backup plan somewhere else so an app reinstall, phone reset, or lost device does not wipe out your chat history unexpectedly.
