Title: How to Restore WhatsApp Backup on iPhone & Android (2026 Guide) URL Source: https://recovery-next-web.pages.dev/blog/restore-whatsapp-backup Published Time: 2025-12-16T03:36:07.000Z Markdown Content: ![Image 1: iPhone Data Recovery Predictor](https://resource.gbyte.com/20251211/original/Group%201000008143.webp) iPhone Data Recovery Predictor Not sure if your iPhone data can be recovered? Find out in 30 seconds. [](https://recovery-next-web.pages.dev/blog/restore-whatsapp-backup)[Test Now](https://www.gbyte.com/iphone-data-recovery-predictor) Restoring a WhatsApp backup sounds simple — until it fails. Some users can restore their chats in minutes. Others get stuck with _“No backup found”_, endless loading screens, or discover their backup doesn’t contain the messages they need. This guide walks you through **every reliable method for restoring a WhatsApp backup**, clearly separated by**iPhone (iOS)**and**Android**, and explains**what each method can and cannot do**—so you can choose the right path without guessing. Quick Answer: How to Restore WhatsApp Backup (Choose Your Device) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ⏱️WhatsApp backup restore depends on two things: **your device** and whether **a usable backup exists**. Select your situation below to jump to the correct solution — no guesswork required. ### iPhone (iOS) * **No backup found or restore failed?** → [_Restore WhatsApp on iPhone when no backup is found_](https://www.gbyte.com/features/whatsapp-recovery) * **Confirmed iCloud backup available?** → [_Restore WhatsApp from iCloud backup on iPhone_](https://www.gbyte.com/blog/restore-whatsapp-from-icloud) ### Android * **Google Drive backup detected?** → [_Restore WhatsApp backup from Google Drive on Android_](https://www.gbyte.com/blog/restore-whatsapp-backup-from-google-drive) * **No Drive backup, but local files exist?** → [_Restore WhatsApp from local backup on Android_](https://www.gbyte.com/blog/whatsapp-local-backup) Understanding WhatsApp Backups: What You Need to Know ----------------------------------------------------- Before jumping into restoration, it’s crucial to know how WhatsApp backs up your data: * **iPhone:** Backups are stored only in iCloud (not on your device). No local backup is created by default. * **Android:**Backups can be saved to Google Drive (cloud) or locally on your device (in `/WhatsApp/Databases/`). * **Important:**You can only restore a backup to the same phone number and platform (e.g., Android → Android, iPhone → iPhone). If you never enabled backups, your messages may be lost — unless you use[a specialized WhatsApp recovery tool](https://www.gbyte.com/blog/best-whatsapp-message-recovery-software)(more on that later). How to Restore WhatsApp Backup on iPhone (iOS) ---------------------------------------------- Restoring WhatsApp on iPhone is **more restrictive** than on Android. Apple’s ecosystem prioritizes security, but that also means **fewer recovery options** when something goes wrong. ### Method 1: Restore WhatsApp on iPhone When No Backup Is Found (Fastest Option) If WhatsApp says **“No backup found”**, or your restore gets stuck, this usually means **WhatsApp itself can no longer access your data**. This happens more often than users realize. #### **Why iCloud Restore Doesn’t Always Work** Based on real iOS recovery testing, WhatsApp restore fails most commonly when: * iCloud backup was **never enabled** inside WhatsApp * A newer backup **overwrote** older chat data * Apple ID or phone number doesn’t match the backup * You can’t reset your entire iPhone to restore Once this happens, **WhatsApp offers no official way to recover missing chats**. #### **Practical Alternative: Recover WhatsApp Data with Gbyte (iOS)** In these cases, a dedicated iPhone data recovery solution like[Gbyte Recovery](https://www.gbyte.com/features/whatsapp-recovery) can help bridge the gap. Instead of relying on WhatsApp’s restore screen, Gbyte scans **iPhone-linked cloud data** directly to locate recoverable WhatsApp messages that may still exist. **What makes this approach different:** * No factory reset required * Works even when WhatsApp shows _no backup found_ * Lets you **100% FREE****scan and preview chats before restoring** * Apple ID login is used **only for encrypted data access** #### **How to Recover WhatsApp Messages with Gbyte (iOS)** Instead of repeating every technical step here, we’ve prepared a clear, visual step-by-step guide that walks you through the entire process safely and quickly. ![Image 2: scan-data-type-gbyte.webp](https://resource.gbyte.com/20250905/large/scan-data-type-gbyte.webp) 👉[Follow the complete WhatsApp recovery guide](https://www.gbyte.com/guide) here (installation, select, scan, and restore explained in detail). > **Expert note: Results depend on whether recoverable WhatsApp data still exists in your cloud account. No tool can recover data that was permanently overwritten.** ### When This Method Is Most Useful * You’re unsure whether a WhatsApp backup exists * iCloud restore failed or is unavailable * You need specific chats, not a full device restore In these situations, **this may be the only practical recovery option left**. ### Method 2: Restore WhatsApp from iCloud Backup (iPhone) This is the official and recommended method—but it only works if you have a valid WhatsApp iCloud backup. > 💡 Not sure if your backup exists or want to preview what’s recoverable before reinstalling? You can use tools like [Gbyte Recovery to scan your iCloud WhatsApp backup directly](https://www.gbyte.com/blog/restore-whatsapp-from-icloud) without deleting the app or resetting your phone. #### How iCloud WhatsApp Restore Works WhatsApp backups are stored in **iCloud Drive**, not in Apple’s full device backup. During setup, WhatsApp checks: * Your phone number * Your Apple ID * The latest WhatsApp backup tied to both #### Step-by-Step: Restore from iCloud **Step 1:** Open **WhatsApp → Settings → Chats → Chat Backup** Confirm: * Backup date * Backup size (must not be zero) **Step 2:** Delete WhatsApp from your iPhone **Step 3:** Reinstall WhatsApp from the App Store **Step 4:** Verify the **same phone number** **Step 5:** Sign in with the **same Apple ID** **Step 6:** Tap **Restore Chat History** when prompted ![Image 3: restore-whatsapp-from-icloud-steps.webp](https://resource.gbyte.com/20251212/large/restore-whatsapp-from-icloud-steps.webp) #### ✅ Pros of iCloud Restore * Official WhatsApp-supported method * Safest option when backup is recent * Preserves chat structure and media #### ⚠️ Limitations * Only the **latest backup** can be restored * Older backups are inaccessible * Requires deleting and reinstalling WhatsApp * Will fail if backup is missing, corrupted, or overwritten #### 📝 Important Notes * iCloud device backups ≠ WhatsApp backups * iCloud Drive must be enabled * If WhatsApp shows _“No backup found”_, this method will not work How to Restore WhatsApp Backup on Android ----------------------------------------- Android offers **more flexibility** than iOS, but also more room for mistakes. WhatsApp backups on Android can exist in **two different locations**. ### Method 3: Restore WhatsApp from Google Drive Backup (Android) This is the primary and most reliable method for Android users—provided you have a valid WhatsApp backup in Google Drive. > 💡 Unsure if your backup exists or whether it includes the chats you need? You can [preview your Google Drive WhatsApp backup before restoring](https://www.gbyte.com/blog/restore-whatsapp-backup-from-google-drive)—even recover deleted messages that may no longer appear in the latest backup. #### **How Google Drive Restore Works** WhatsApp encrypts your chats and stores them in Google Drive under: * Your Google account * Your phone number The backup is hidden from the Drive interface but automatically detected during setup. #### Step-by-Step: Restore from Google Drive **Step 1:** Open **WhatsApp → Settings → Chats → Chat Backup** Confirm: * Google account used * Backup date and size ![Image 4: whatsapp-chat-backup.webp](https://resource.gbyte.com/20250910/large/whatsapp-chat-backup.webp) **Step 2:** Uninstall WhatsApp **Step 3:** Reinstall WhatsApp from Google Play **Step 4:** Verify the **same phone number** **Step 5:** Tap **Restore** when prompted #### ✅ Pros of Google Drive Restore * Official WhatsApp method * Stable and reliable * Works when switching Android devices * Restores chats and media together #### ⚠️ Limitations * Only the most recent backup is available—older versions are overwritten * Requires the same Google account and phone number * Fails silently if the local encryption key (stored on your device) is missing—e.g., after a factory reset without prior backup * No option to selectively restore individual chats #### 📝 Important Notes * WhatsApp backups on Google Drive do not count toward your storage quota—they’re stored separately. * The backup won’t appear in your Google Drive folder; it’s managed invisibly by WhatsApp. * If WhatsApp says “No backup found” despite a recent backup, the issue may be account mismatch or missing encryption keys. ### Method 4: Restore WhatsApp from Local Backup (Android – Last Resort) Local backups are stored directly on your phone’s internal storage. #### **How Local Backup Restore Works** WhatsApp creates daily local backups stored in: `Internal Storage > WhatsApp > Databases` Backup files are named like: `msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.crypt14` #### **Step-by-Step: Restore from Local Backup** **Step 1:** Open the **Databases** folder using a file manager **Step 2:** Select the backup file with the desired date **Step 3:** Rename it to `msgstore.db.crypt14` ![Image 5: whatsapp-database.webp](https://resource.gbyte.com/20251217/large/whatsapp-database.webp) **Step 4:** Uninstall WhatsApp **Step 5:** Reinstall and restore when prompted ![Image 6: restore-backup-whatsapp.webp](https://resource.gbyte.com/20251119/large/restore-backup-whatsapp.webp) #### ✅ Pros of Local Backup Restore * Can restore **older backups** (within retention period) * No internet required * Useful when Google Drive backup is missing #### ⚠️ Limitations * Local backups are usually kept for **7 days only** * Easily overwritten * Does not work after factory reset * More technical, higher risk of user error #### 📝 Important Notes * Android 11+ may restrict folder access * Encryption versions must match * Clearing storage deletes local backups permanently WhatsApp Backup Restore Problems & Fixes ---------------------------------------- ### Why can’t I restore my WhatsApp backup? Most restore failures happen because of: * Account mismatch (phone number or Apple ID / Google account) * Backup overwritten by a newer one * Backup disabled before data loss * Corrupted or incomplete backup ### WhatsApp restore stuck on “Preparing” — what should I do? * Use a stable Wi-Fi connection * Ensure sufficient free storage * Restart the device and retry * If the issue repeats, official restore may no longer be viable ### Can I restore WhatsApp without reinstalling the app? * **Officially:** No * **Practically:** Only via alternative recovery solutions when supported Final Recommendation -------------------- To restore WhatsApp backup successfully, always start by identifying: * Your device (iPhone or Android) * Whether a backup truly exists * Whether official restore is still possible **Best practice:** ✔ Use official restore methods when a valid backup is confirmed ✔ Use alternative recovery solutions only when official methods fail Most restore failures are not user mistakes—they’re **platform limitations**. Knowing which path applies to your situation saves time, stress, and permanent data loss.