How to Restore WhatsApp from a Backup

WhatsApp only offers to restore during setup, right after you verify your phone number. If a backup exists in Google Drive or iCloud, you can bring your chats back on a new phone or a fresh install.

Confirm a backup exists

On Android, open WhatsApp and go to Settings, Chats, Chat backup. The screen shows the date of the last Google Drive backup and which Google account holds it. On iPhone, go to Settings, Chats, Chat Backup and check the last iCloud backup date. If you still have the old phone, tap Back up (Android) or Back Up Now (iPhone) so the backup is current. The phone you restore on must use the same phone number and the same Google account or Apple Account.

Install WhatsApp and verify your number

On a new phone, install WhatsApp from the Play Store or App Store. On a phone that already has WhatsApp, uninstall it first, then reinstall. Open the app, agree to the terms, enter the same phone number, and type the verification code that arrives by SMS or call.

Tap Restore

After verification, WhatsApp looks for a backup that matches your number and account. On Android, tap Restore; you may be asked to allow access to Google Drive and to pick the Google account. On iPhone, tap Restore Chat History. If the backup is end-to-end encrypted, enter the backup password or the 64-digit encryption key you saved when you turned that on.

Wait, then tap Next

A progress bar shows messages being restored. Do not close the app or switch phones during this step. When it finishes, tap Next, set your profile name, and the chats appear. Photos, videos, and voice notes download in the background over the following minutes or hours, depending on the size of the backup.

If you skipped the Restore prompt. WhatsApp does not offer it again inside the app. Uninstall WhatsApp, reinstall it, verify the number, and the prompt returns as long as the backup is still in Drive or iCloud.

If you are switching between Android and iPhone. Google Drive and iCloud backups cannot cross platforms. Use the chat transfer option shown during setup on the new phone instead. On Android, if Drive shows no backup, a local copy may still exist in the phone's storage under the WhatsApp/Databases folder, and WhatsApp offers to restore from it when Drive comes up empty.