I recently switched to iPhone and like everyone, I wanted to carry forward all the WhatsApp data I had on my Android phone. Nobody wants to leave their precious memories stored in the form of chats, images, and whatnot – and I too wanted to preserve all of it.
Being a software engineer, I thought it would be really easy for someone like me, but it wasn't. I had to spend hours searching for a practical solution – which I eventually did. To help other users who might be facing a similar issue, I have listed multiple tricks below. This blog will not just help you back up your WhatsApp data in Google Drive, but will also help you restore, check, download, or even delete it.
What is a Google Drive WhatsApp Backup?
You must be wondering what happens to your WhatsApp data if, let's say, your phone gets broken, or misplaced, or you just switch to a new one? Well, in such a case, you need a Google Drive WhatsApp backup.
A Google Drive WhatsApp backup is a file that saves your
- Messages
- Media files (pictures, videos, audio notes
- Attachments, etc.
You can use this file to restore your WhatsApp chats whenever you switch to a new phone to retain your data.
Trick 1: How To Backup WhatsApp To Google Drive
Before you back up your WhatsApp data to Google Drive, you need to ensure that you have a Google account. Once you do that, you can proceed to the actual process.
Here's how to restore WhatsApp backup from Google drive:
- Open WhatsApp and tap on More Options, then navigate in the following order: Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > Backup to Google Drive.
- Select a backup frequency which you would prefer other than Never.
- After that, you'd have to select a Google Account to which you want your data backed up. If you do not seem to have a Google Account connected, then tap on Add Account and type in your credentials to get it connected.
- Videos are not backed up by default, don't forget to turn on 'Include videos.'
- Lastly, tap on Back up over to select the network you prefer for backups.
- That's it! Your WhatsApp data will be stored on Google Drive and can be retrieved whenever you want and yes! On any device, you want to.
WhatsApp chat backup settings
Backup WhatsApp to Google Drive
Backup WhatsApp videos
Backup WhatsApp to Google Drive
Android users enjoy an unlimited backup on Google Drive as per an agreement signed between Google and WhatsApp some years ago. However that's going to change.
According to a report by WABetaInfo, Android users won't be able to enjoy an unlimited backup feature on Google Drive. They would either be charged for storage above a planned quote or they would have to save space by managing their backup and excluding some files from being backed up. iPhone users already have limited space for WhatsApp backups on iCloud.
Trick 2: How to Restore WhatsApp from Google Drive to iPhone
There's no direct way to restore WhatsApp backup from Google Drive to iPhone as Google Drive's encryption protocols are not compatible with iPhone, however I found a handy tool for this purpose.
Known as Mobitrix WhatsApp Transfer, it is a third-party tool that helps you bypass Google's encryption protocols to ensure a sound transfer of your WhatsApp backup from Google Drive to your iPhone. Mobitrix can do much more than that, but let's stay relevant to the problem we have.
Here's how to restore WhatsApp backup from Google Drive to iPhone by Mobitrix:
- Launch Mobitrix WhatsApp Transfer tool > Click on Backup > Backup via Google Drive.
- Log into your Google Drive account.
- Click on the backup history you want to restore > Click on Continue. It will start downloading your Google Drive WhatsApp data to your computer.
- Verify the process by entering your Country Code & Phone Number.
- Wait for the download to complete and click on Restore Now.
- Connect your iPhone with a USB cable to your computer.
- Make a right-click on your Backup file > Click on Restore to phone > Select iPhone.
- And that's it, your WhatsApp chats and data will be restored to your iPhone.
Transfer WhatsApp using Google Drive backup
Log into your Google Drive
Download Google Drive WhatsApp backup
Verify WhatsApp backup account
Google Drive WhatsApp backup is ready
Restore Google Drive WhatsApp backup to iPhone
Restoring WhatsApp data to iPhone
Why I Do Recommend Mobitrix?
- Backup and Restore WhatsApp between Android and iPhone.
- Restore WhatsApp from Google Drive to iPhone.
- Transfer All WhatsApp Data(texts, grout chat, photos, videos, etc.)
- Supports all WhatsApp versions(WhatsApp/WhatsApp Business) - Including the modded apps(GB/FM/OG/AERO WhatsApp)
- Supports 6000+ different smartphone models running on iOS and Android.
Former Apple Technican
Trick 3: How to Restore WhatsApp from Google Drive to Android
Restoring your WhatsApp data from Google Drive to your Android phones is not a big deal. But first, you need to make sure you use the same device that you used to create a backup on Google otherwise it won't recognize you. After that, you just need to follow these step-by-step instructions to restore the backup:
- First, you need to uninstall your currently installed WhatsApp application on your device and reinstall it from Google Play Store.
- While following the on-screen instructions during installation, verify your phone number.
- Tap Next > Continue > Allow > Restore to commence your WhatsApp data restoration process from Google Drive on your Android.
- Simply tap on Next when the restoration process from Google Drive is complete. You will finally be able to keep track of your previous WhatsApp chat history and once the chat restoration is complete, the media files will be displayed as well.
Welcome to Whatsapp
Restore WhatsApp Backup from Google Drive
Sometimes the restoration may fail due to one of the following reasons:
- You are not signed in on your Google Account, or you might not be using the same Google Account you previously used for backup.
- You aren't using the same phone number you initially used for the backup.
- You are not using WiFi but rather a cellular network.
In such cases, I would recommend you do the following:
- Sign in with the same Google Account you used for backup.
- Use the same cell number you previously used for backup.
- Switch to WiFi from a cellular network.
Trick 4: How to Check WhatsApp Backup in Google Drive
If you're wondering how to check WhatsApp backup in Google Drive, let me tell you a few important things. It may sound easy, but it's not. You might end up hitting a dead end when trying to do so.
Your WhatsApp Backup on Google Drive is end-to-end encrypted. But that also does not imply that you cannot access and manage your WhatsApp backup on Google Drive. So how do you do that? Let me show you these easy steps.
- Start by logging in on your Google Account used for backup on any web version of Google Drive.
- Then navigate to the gear icon located on the top right corner of the screen to visit Google Drive's Settings.
- Then go to the Managing Apps section and visit the WhatsApp section.
- By going to the Options tab of WhatsApp, you can manage your WhatsApp backup on Google Drive.
Sign in Google account
Google account settings
Manage apps on Google account
Google Drive WhatsApp backup options
Important Note: The Google Drive will only let you backup or delete your WhatsApp data as it is end-to-end encrypted. Hence you can not extract the data from any other application.
Trick 5: How to Download WhatsApp Backup from Google Drive to PC
As for downloading WhatsApp Backup from Google Drive to PC, I have a useful tool for that as well. Known as whapa, this free tool extracts your WhatsApp backup files from Google Drive and downloads them on your PC.
Here's how to download WhatsApp backup from Google Drive using whapa free tool.
- Download whapa and python3.8.10 on your PC.
- Open the downloaded file and locate the configuration file named settings.cfg
- Open the settings.cfg file and configure your Google Drive credentials (username and password) as well as your phone number.
- Now run this command: python whagodri.py –i on your PC. It will allow you to view all of your WhatsApp chats.
- Run another command: python whagodri.py -s -o data to download this backup file on your PC.
Download Google Drive WhatsApp backup
Configure Google Drive account
View WhatsApp messages with the command
Download WhatsApp backup using command
Here are the pros and cons of whapa tool that I found while usinng it:
Pros
- It is free of cost.
- The method is quick and time saving.
- It lets you access your entire Google Drive backup information, such as the backup name, the backup time, the size of backup files as well as backup database, and the number and size of backup audio/ video files..
Cons
- Its interface is not user friendly
- You need to download two tools instead of one.
- It can be difficult for a person who has little computer expertise.
You can also use Mobitrix tool to download your WhatsApp backup from Google Drive to PC/ computer and, to be honest, I found that easier and more convenient than any other method, including the whapa tool.
Trick 6: How to Delete WhatsApp Backup in Google Drive
In case you are not aware of the recent developments, Google has intimated that the WhatsApp backup will not be taking up any space on Google Drive.
It suggests that there is no need to be worried about the storage space, but there are some issues you may encounter, with backup prevention from WhatsApp being the primary one. The best way to get rid of this issue is to delete your backup from your account.
Here's how to delete WhatsApp backup from Google Drive while ensuring your data privacy so that it doesn't end up with an hacker or any malicious user.
- Visit www.drive.google.com and log in with the Google Account credentials you used to create the backup originally.
- Go to Settings in the main Google Drive windows.
- Then tap on the Managing Apps section in the options that appear in front of you.
- Navigate to WhatsApp among the list of applications in the next window. Go to Options and select Delete Hidden App Data.
- You will then see a warning sign telling you the exact amount of data that will be ridden off on your command. Tap on Delete to confirm your intentions of deleting the backup.
Sign in Google account
Google account settings
Manage apps on Google account
Delete Hidden App Data
And that's it, your backup will be permanently deleted from your Google Account.
Trick 7: How to Re-encrypt and Decrypt a Google Drive WhatsApp Backup
When it comes to re-encryption, you need to set up an end-to-end encrypted backup that is stored on the cloud servers, and that is secured by a 64-digit encryption key. So, make sure you do not forget that key. Follow these steps to ensure end-to-end encryption:
End-to-end Encrypted Backup
- Hover to WhatsApp Settings
- Then go to chats > chat backup > end-to-end encrypted backup
- Then simply tap on Turn On and follow the instructions to set up a password or a key
- Now click on Create to get the end-to-end encrypted backup to be processed.
Take end-to-end encrypted backup of Whatsapp
As far as decryption is concerned, it's easy provided you follow these steps:
- Take a backup of your WhatsApp chats by going to Settings > Chat backup > (select your Google Account) > Backup
- Restore your WhatsApp backup from Google Drive by first (deleting and reinstalling WhatsApp on your device with the same Google Account and credentials used for backup) and then click on the Restore prompt to get the backup restored
FAQs
Q1. How to Restore WhatsApp Backup from Google Drive without Uninstalling
Mobitrix can restore WhatsApp backup from google drive to iPhone and Android devices without uninstalling.
Q2. Can I Restore Chats without a WhatsApp Backup in Google Drive?
Yes, Android devices usually keep the last 7 days' local backup automatically, and you could restore it if you deleted messages accidentally
Q3. What to Do if My Google Drive WhatsApp Backup Overwritten?
The same as Q2, use the local backup to restore a previous backup or use Mobitrix to backup to your computer, you can restore any backup at any time.
You just cannot start over when you switch to another smartphone. Your WhatsApp chats and the memories associated with them is a priceless treasure that you must retain at all costs.
To help you keep your WhatsApp data regardless of any smartphone you switch to, I have tried to give you the best solutions to do so. These solutions are already tried and tested, so feel free to act on them to manage your WhatsApp backup in the best manner possible.
If you ask me, I'd recommend Mobitrix WhatsApp Transfer as the best tool to deal with all problems related to your Google Drive WhatsApp backup. It is free, safe, and, most importantly, very easy to use.
