WhatsApp backup: Save chats in cloud

To prevent you from ever losing messages and photos in WhatsApp, this service automatically creates a backup. The first time you launch WhatsApp, the app will ask if you want to back up to Google Drive or iCloud once in a while, depending on whether you have an Android or iOS device. This way you play it safe. This is how you make a WhatsApp backup.

Step 1: Set up

Open WhatsApp, go through the Settings nasty chats and open there Backup chats† If you want to make a backup right away, use the blue button Back up now† Here you can read how large the backup is in the meantime and when the last backup was made. Tap on auto. backup and select a backup plan. You have the choice of Daily† Weekly or Monthly†

Since videos quickly take up a lot of storage space, they are skipped in the backup by default. In the window Backup chats you can decide to back up the videos anyway. In that case, you have to take into account that this can cost a lot of storage space.

For these automatic backups to work, the function Background Refresh are turned on. Check this in the app Settings from iOS, so not in the settings in WhatsApp. Open the Settings and scroll down until you whatsapp finds. Here you can slide the slide Background Refresh activate.

Step 2: Encrypt

WhatsApp’s backup function is not new, but since October 2021 it is possible to encrypt the backup with end-to-end encryption†

In the window Backup chats you can enable this method of encryption. When you do that, no one but you can access the backup, not even Apple, Google or WhatsApp. For this you use a password that consists of at least six characters and one letter. Go through all the steps and Kees is ready.

Step 3: Restore

Once it’s set up, you don’t have to pay attention to the backup system anymore. But if, for example, you change phone and want to restore a backup, first install WhatsApp and enter your phone number. You confirm your account with the two-step verification code. The program shows when the last backup was made.

Insert the charger into the device and tap Restore chat history† You may need to enter the encryption key if you have used that security. After a few minutes (depending on the size of the backup) the message that the restore was successful will appear.

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