WhatsApp backs up to either Google Drive or iCloud depending on your phone, but you have to turn it on yourself
WhatsApp does not automatically save your messages to the cloud. Instead, it offers two separate backup systems: Google Drive for Android phones and iCloud for iPhones. Both work the same way — they copy your chat history and media to cloud storage on a schedule you set — but you need to configure each one in WhatsApp's settings before anything gets backed up.
The backup includes your messages, photos, videos, voice messages, and call logs, but not your profile picture or status updates. If you switch phones or reinstall WhatsApp, you can restore from that backup so you do not lose your conversation history. The catch is that the backup only works if you stay signed into the same Google or Apple account on your phone.
Key Takeaways
- Android users back up to Google Drive; iPhone users back up to iCloud, and each requires a separate setup in WhatsApp settings.
- Backups happen on a schedule you choose — daily, weekly, or monthly — and only when your phone is connected to WiFi and plugged in.
- You need enough free space in your Google or iCloud account for the backup to complete, and you can check how much space the backup uses in WhatsApp settings.
- Restoring from backup only works when you reinstall WhatsApp and log in with the same phone number on the same account.
Setting up backup on Android with Google Drive
Open WhatsApp and tap the three-dot menu at the top right, then go to Settings > Chats > Chat backup. You will see a button that says Back up to Google Drive. Tap it, and WhatsApp will ask you to choose which Google account to use — pick the one you want the backup stored in. Then select how often you want backups to happen: daily, weekly, or monthly.
After you choose the frequency, WhatsApp will ask whether you want to include videos in the backup. Videos take up a lot of space, so WhatsApp lets you exclude them if you are running low on Google Drive storage. Once you confirm, WhatsApp will create the first backup right away if your phone is on WiFi and plugged in. After that, it will back up automatically on the schedule you set, but only when both conditions are met — WiFi connection and charging.
You can see how much space your backup is using by going back to Settings > Chats > Chat backup and looking at the size listed under your Google account name. If you run out of space in Google Drive, the backup will fail silently — WhatsApp will not warn you, so check this number occasionally if you have a lot of media.
Setting up backup on iPhone with iCloud
On iPhone, open WhatsApp and tap Settings at the bottom right, then go to Chats > Chat Backup. Tap Back Up to iCloud, and WhatsApp will confirm which Apple ID it is using — this should be the account you use to sign into your iPhone. Choose your backup frequency (daily, weekly, or monthly), and decide whether to include videos.
Unlike Google Drive, iCloud backups on iPhone require you to have iCloud+ or enough free space in your regular iCloud account. WhatsApp uses whatever iCloud storage plan you already have, so if you are close to your limit, the backup may not complete. You can check your iCloud storage in the iPhone Settings app under your name > iCloud > Manage Storage.
One important difference: iCloud backups only work if you have iCloud Drive turned on in your iPhone settings. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and make sure the toggle next to iCloud Drive is on. If it is off, WhatsApp backups will not happen even if you have set them up.
What happens when you restore from a backup
Backups only restore when you reinstall WhatsApp or set it up on a new phone. When you open WhatsApp for the first time after installing it, you will be asked to verify your phone number. After verification, WhatsApp will detect that a backup exists for that number and ask whether you want to restore it. Tap yes, and your messages, photos, and videos will download from Google Drive or iCloud.
The restore process can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have and your internet speed. Keep your phone connected to WiFi and plugged in while it restores — if you disconnect, the process will pause and resume when you reconnect. You will not be able to use WhatsApp normally until the restore is complete.
Why backups sometimes fail or do not happen
The most common reason a backup does not happen is that your phone was not on WiFi or was not plugged in when the scheduled backup time arrived. WhatsApp only backs up under both conditions to avoid using your mobile data and draining your battery. If you want to force a backup right now, go to Settings > Chats > Chat backup and tap the backup button again — but your phone still needs to be on WiFi and charging.
Another reason backups fail is running out of storage space. If your Google Drive or iCloud account is full, the backup will not complete, and WhatsApp will not tell you why. Check your cloud storage space in Google Drive or iCloud settings if your backups have not happened in a while. You may need to delete old files or photos from your cloud account to make room.
If you changed your Google or Apple account, or if you signed out of that account on your phone, WhatsApp will not be able to back up. Make sure you are still signed into the same account you chose when you set up the backup. If you switched accounts, you will need to set up a new backup with the new account.
Local backups as an alternative
Both Android and iPhone also offer local backups, which save your chat history to your phone's internal storage instead of the cloud. These backups do not require a Google or iCloud account, but they only help if your phone is not damaged or lost — you cannot restore them to a different phone.
On Android, local backups happen automatically every day and are stored in a folder called WhatsApp/Databases on your phone. You can also manually back up by going to Settings > Chats > Chat backup and tapping Back up to device storage. On iPhone, local backups are not as straightforward — they require connecting your phone to a computer and using iTunes or Finder to back up your entire phone, which then includes WhatsApp data.
Local backups are useful as a second layer of protection, but they do not replace cloud backups if you want to restore to a new phone. Most people should use Google Drive or iCloud as their main backup method and think of local backups as extra insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I back up to both Google Drive and iCloud at the same time?
No. Android phones can only back up to Google Drive, and iPhones can only back up to iCloud. You cannot use both services on the same phone. If you switch from Android to iPhone, your old Google Drive backup will not transfer — you will need to set up a new iCloud backup on your iPhone.
What if I do not have enough storage space in Google Drive or iCloud?
You can buy more storage through Google One (for Google Drive) or iCloud+ (for iCloud). Alternatively, you can exclude videos from your backup to save space, or delete old files from your cloud account to free up room. WhatsApp will not back up if there is not enough space, so check your storage if backups have stopped.
Will my backup include messages from group chats?
Yes. Backups include all your messages, whether they are from individual chats or group chats. They also include all media — photos, videos, voice messages, and documents — that were shared in those conversations.
Can someone else restore my WhatsApp backup if they have my phone number?
No. To restore a backup, they would need access to your Google or iCloud account, not just your phone number. WhatsApp verifies your phone number during setup, but the actual backup download requires logging into your cloud account. If you are concerned about security, make sure your Google and Apple passwords are strong and unique.
How long does a backup take?
The first backup can take 10 to 30 minutes depending on how many messages and media files you have. Later backups are usually faster because WhatsApp only backs up new or changed data. Very large backups with years of messages and thousands of photos may take longer.