Losing your WhatsApp chats after switching phones or resetting your device is frustrating—especially if you never backed them up. Good news: you don’t need Google Drive or iCloud. WhatsApp lets you create and restore from a local backup stored directly on your Android device.
This guide explains what a local backup is, where it’s stored, when a database restore works, and what to do when it doesn’t. The goal: help you choose the fastest, safest path to get your chats back.
What Is WhatsApp Local Backup? (Android Only)
A local backup is an automatically generated, device-stored copy of your WhatsApp messages, media, and call logs. This feature is exclusive to Android users.
What Is a WhatsApp Database File (msgstore.db)?
Every day, WhatsApp on Android automatically creates an encrypted backup file containing your chat history.
File Name: The file is named
msgstore.db.crypt*(e.g.,msgstore.db.crypt14).Location: Saved directly to your phone’s internal storage or SD card.
Timing: The automatic backup process runs daily at 2:00 a.m.
Manual Option: You can also trigger a manual backup anytime.
⚠️ Important Notes
iPhone users cannot access or create local WhatsApp backups. Apple’s system restrictions prevent direct file access to WhatsApp’s database. iOS users must rely on iCloud—or specialized recovery tools like Gbyte Recovery—if chats are lost.
What the Local Backup Save (and What It Doesn't)
Category | Status | Details |
Text Messages | Saved | Includes chat content, timestamps, and some metadata. |
Media Files | Limited | Saved, but can be restricted if storage permissions are not granted. |
Deleted Messages | Not Saved | Messages that were deleted after the last backup occurred are not included. |
Where Is the WhatsApp Local Backup Stored?
On Android, backups are saved here: /WhatsApp/Databases/
Look for files like:
msgstore.db.crypt14→ Your latest chat databasemsgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt14→ Older daily backups (up to 7 days)
These files are encrypted and can only be used by WhatsApp during reinstallation.
How to Restore WhatsApp from Local Backup (Database Restore Explained)
Before doing anything, confirm there’s a recent msgstore.db.crypt* file in the Databases folder. Note the backup date—this determines how much you can recover.
Step 1: Restore Using WhatsApp’s Official Method
Uninstall WhatsApp
Reinstall and verify your number
When prompted, choose Restore from local backup
Important: This replaces current chats with the backup version.
Step 2: Restore when prompted
WhatsApp will detect the local backup and ask: “Restore chats?” Tap Restore. If chats are missing, stop using the app to avoid overwriting residual data.
Your full chat history will reappear.
✅ Tip: If you’re restoring on the same device after a factory reset, ensure the backup file survives the wipe (save it to a computer first).
No Valid Local Backup? Recover WhatsApp Messages on iPhone Without Database Files
Unlike Android, iOS doesn’t store WhatsApp data in a user-accessible local database. Even if you’ve never deleted your chats, you can’t extract or restore them without an iCloud backup.
And if your iCloud backup is missing, outdated, or disabled—standard recovery is impossible.
That’s where Gbyte Recovery steps in.
Gbyte Recovery is a professional iOS data recovery tool designed to retrieve deleted WhatsApp messages, photos, videos, and attachments directly from your iPhone’s storage.
When Gbyte Recovery Is a Better Choice Than Database Restore
You’re using an iPhone (no access to msgstore.db files)
You need selective recovery instead of a full restore
You want to preview messages before recovery
💡 Note: Gbyte Recovery is iOS-only and cannot assist with Android local backups. Android users should rely on the local backup method described above.
If you’ve lost WhatsApp data on an iPhone and have no iCloud backup, Gbyte Recovery may be your only option.
FAQ: WhatsApp Backup & Recovery
Can I restore WhatsApp from a local backup on iPhone?
No. iOS does not support user-accessible local backups. You must use iCloud—or try Gbyte Recovery if no backup exists.
How often does WhatsApp back up locally on Android?
Once daily at 2 a.m., if your phone is charged and idle.
Does Gbyte Recovery work without an iCloud backup?
Yes. It scans your iPhone’s internal storage directly, making it ideal for users with no backup.
Where is the WhatsApp database on Android?
In /WhatsApp/Databases/—look for msgstore.db.crypt14.
Can Gbyte Recovery restore WhatsApp media?
Yes. It supports messages, photos, videos, voice notes, documents, and group chats—even from deleted conversations.
Final Thoughts
Android users: Leverage local backups—they’re private, fast, and reliable. Back up your
/WhatsApp/folder to a computer regularly.iPhone users: Since local backups aren’t an option, always enable iCloud backup if possible. But if it’s too late—Gbyte Recovery offers a powerful, secure way to recover lost WhatsApp data without any backup.
Whether you’re on Android or iOS, knowing your options today can save your memories tomorrow.
