Where WhatsApp backups are stored on Samsung Android: local and cloud paths

Backups WhatsApp on devices Samsung managed Android are stored in several places at once - and not all users know where exactly to look for these files. Losing correspondence, photos or important documents from chats can become a serious problem if you do not understand backup mechanisms. Unlike iPhone, where everything is synchronized via iCloud, on Android —and especially on smartphones Samsung —the backup system works differently: here coexist local copies (on the device itself) and cloud (in Google Drive).

In this case, storage paths depend on the version WhatsApp, model Samsung (for example, on Galaxy S23 and Galaxy A52 there may be nuances), as well as on account settings Google. If you've never set up a manual backup, there's a high risk that your data is only stored locally - meaning that if you reset your phone or replace your device, it won't be possible to restore it. Next, we will look at all possible storage locations for backups, including hidden folders, cloud services and features of Samsungdevices.

It is worth noting that WhatsApp does not always explicitly inform the user about the location of backup copies. For example, local backups are created automatically every day at 2:00 am, but only if the phone is connected to charging and network Wi-Fi. Cloud copies, in turn, may not be updated for months if regular synchronization is not configured. Therefore, it is important not only to know where to look for files, but also how to check their relevance.

1. Local backups of WhatsApp on Samsung: where and how to find

Local backups WhatsApp are stored directly in the memory of your Samsungsmartphone. These files are created automatically, but can easily be lost when resetting or replacing your device. The main storage location is a folder /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases (even if you do not have a physical memory card, sdcard indicates internal memory). In this directory you will find files with names like msgstore.db.crypt14 —these are your backup copies.

To see these files, you will need any file manager (for example, standard Samsung My Files or Total Commander). Important: by default, the folder WhatsApp may be hidden. To display it, enable the option "Show hidden files"in the manager settings. Also note that backup files take up space - if you have little memory, old copies can be deleted manually (but only if you are sure that they will not be needed!).

• 📁 Main path: /storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp/Databases/ (or /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/)
• 🔄 Frequency of creation: daily at 2:00 (subject to conditions: charging + Wi-Fi)
• 📦 File format: msgstore.db.crypt12, msgstore.db.crypt14 (depends on the version WhatsApp)
• ⚠️ Limitation: when deleted WhatsApp without backup to Google Drive local copies can abyss

If you do not find the folder Databases, check whether backup is enabled in the messenger settings: open WhatsApp, go to ⋮ → Settings → Chat → Chat backup. Here you will see the date of the last local one. If there is no backup, try creating it manually by clicking "Create a copy".

2. Cloud backups in Google Drive: how to check and configure

Unlike local copies, cloud backups are stored. in Google Drive and are linked to your account Google. This is more reliable, since the data will not be lost even if the phone breaks down. However, there are nuances: WhatsApp by default it does not create cloud copies - this function must be configured manually. In addition, backups in Google Drive are not created. are taken into account in the total storage volume (they are free), but take up space in the “hidden” section, which is not displayed in the main statistics Drive.

To check if you have a cloud copy:

1. Open WhatsApp and go in ⋮ → Settings → Chat → Chat backup → Google account.
2. If your Google accountis listed here, then backups are saved in Drive.
3. The date of the last backup is displayed in the same section.

If there is no cloud copy, configure it:

1. In the same section, click "Create a copy" (for manual backup) or "Setup" (for automatic).
2. Select an account Google and copy frequency (daily, weekly, monthly).
3. Make sure that there is enough space on the phone and it is connected to Wi-Fi (backup via mobile data may not work).

Important: cloud copies in Google Drive do not include media files (photos, videos, voice messages) by default. To save them, before creating a backup, download the media manually via ⋮ → Settings → Storage and data → Manage storage.

3. Features of storing backups on Samsung: what distinguishes it from other Android

Smartphones Samsung have several unique features that affect the operation of backups WhatsApp:

1. Double storage: many models Galaxy support both internal memory and a card microSD. By default WhatsApp saves backups to internal memory, but they can be transferred to SD card manually (more on that below).
2. Samsung Cloud: unlike others manufacturers Samsung offers its own cloud service - Samsung Cloud. However, he does not support backup WhatsApp! For the messenger you can only use Google Drive.
3. One UI and access rights: in the firmware One UI (especially in versions 5.0 and later) there may be restrictions on access to system folders. If the file manager does not see the folder WhatsApp, try using Total Commander with rights root or connect the phone to the PC.

Another nuance - data encryption. On some models Samsung (for example, Galaxy S22 Ultra or Galaxy Z Fold) hardware storage encryption is enabled. This means that local backups WhatsApp cannot simply be copied to another phone - they must first be decrypted. To do this:

1. Create a local copy in WhatsApp (it will be encrypted for your current phone).
2. Transfer the file msgstore.db.crypt14 to a new one Samsung.
3. Install WhatsApp on a new device and restore chats from a local copy - the messenger will automatically decrypt the data.

What to do if WhatsApp does not see the local copy on the new Samsung?

If during recovery WhatsApp not finds the backup, check:

1. Does the phone number match (must be the same as on the old device).

2. Is the file msgstore.db.crypt14 in the correct folder (/WhatsApp/Databases/).

3. Have you changed the file name (it should remain original).

4. If you use SD card, make sure that it is formatted as internal memory (in the storage settings Samsung).

4. How to transfer a WhatsApp backup from internal memory to an SD card

If your Samsung has little internal memory, you can transfer backups WhatsApp to microSD. However, there are pitfalls:

• ⚠️ WhatsApp does not officially support storing backups on SD card. This means that automatic backup may not work.
• 🔄 When transferring, you will have to manually copy the files each time before creating a new backup.
• 📛 SD card must be formatted as internal memory (in settings storage Samsung), otherwise WhatsApp will not see the backup.

Transfer instructions:

1. Open the file manager (for example, Samsung My Files) and go to /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/.
2. Copy the files msgstore.db.crypt14 and msgstore.db.crypt14.key to SD card to the same folder (/WhatsApp/Databases/).
3. Delete the original files from the internal memory (so WhatsApp does not confuse the copies).
4. Create a new backup copy in WhatsApp —it will appear on SD card.

Check that the SD card is formatted as internal memory

Create a fresh local copy in WhatsApp

Copy the files msgstore.db.crypt14 and msgstore.db.crypt14.key

Delete the originals from the internal memory

Reboot the phone-->

Attention: if you extract SD card or format it, the backups will be lost. that some models Samsung (for example, Galaxy S23+) do not support formatting microSD as internal memory - in this case, transferring backups to the card is impossible.

5. How to restore WhatsApp from a backup on a new Samsung

Transfer WhatsApp to a new one Samsung-the smartphone requires proper restoration from a backup. The process depends on what type of copy you are using:

Recovery from a local copy:

1. Install WhatsApp on a new phone and confirm your number (must match the old one).
2. When the messenger offers to restore chats, click "Restore".
3. If the copy is stored on SD cardinsert it into the new phone to installation WhatsApp.

Recovery from Google Drive:

1. When installing WhatsApp on a new device, use the same account Googleas on the old one.
2. Connect to Wi-Fi (recovery via mobile data may not work).
3. Wait until the backup is downloaded - the process may take several minutes.

Backup type	Where it is stored	How to restore	Restrictions
Local copy	/sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/	Automatically when installing WhatsApp	Same phone number required
Google Drive	Cloud, linked to Google account	When installing WhatsApp on a new device	Does not include media files by default
SD card	/storage/XXXX-XXXX/WhatsApp/Databases/	Copy manually, then restore	Not all Samsung models support

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If you restore WhatsApp on new Samsung, first check that you have a fresh copy on your old device. Local backups older than 7 days may not be restored!

6. Frequent problems with WhatsApp backups on Samsung and their solutions

Users Samsung often encounter errors when working with backups WhatsApp. Here are the most common problems and how to solve them:

• ❌ "The backup could not be restored"):
  • Check if the phone number matches.
  • Make sure the file msgstore.db.crypt14 is in the correct folder.
  • If you use Google Drive, check that there is enough space on the phone and it is connected to Wi-Fi.
• ❌ A backup is not being created in Google Drive:
  • Update WhatsApp i Google Play Services.
  • Check that your account Google has enough space (although backups WhatsApp do not take up the quota, sometimes errors occur).
  • Disable VPN or proxy - they can block access to Drive.
• ❌ The local copy does not updated:
  • Make sure that the phone is connected to charging and Wi-Fi at 2:00 am.
  • Check if automatic backup is disabled in the settings WhatsApp.
  • If you use Task Killer or optimizers, add WhatsApp to exceptions.

Attention: on some models Samsung (for example, Galaxy A-series s One UI 4.1) an error may occur "The backup could not be created due to lack of space", even if there is enough memory. In this case, try:

1. Clear cache WhatsApp in settings applications.
2. Reboot the phone.
3. Create a copy manually via Settings → Chat → Chat backup.

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If WhatsApp stubbornly does not see local copy, try renaming the file msgstore.db.crypt14 to msgstore.db.crypt12 (sometimes it helps when changing the encryption version).

7. Alternative methods to backup WhatsApp on Samsung

If standard methods are not suitable (for example, you do not have Google account or little space in Drive), you can use alternative options:

• 💾 Manual copying to PC:
  • Connect Samsung to the computer via USB (in file transfer mode).
  • Copy the folder WhatsApp/Databases to hard drive drive.
  • If necessary, restore the files back to the phone.
• ☁️ Third-party cloud services:
  • Download the folder Databases to Dropbox, Yandex Disk or OneDrive.
  • When restoring, download the files back to Samsung.
• 🔄 Backup applications:
  • Use utilities like Swift Backup (requires root) or Titanium Backup.
  • They allow you to create complete copies WhatsApp along with settings.

One of the most reliable methods is export chats to a text file. To do this:

1. Open the desired chat in WhatsApp.
2. Click ⋮ → Export chat.
3. Select whether to enable media files (without them, export will be faster).
4. Send the file to your email or save it to the cloud.

The disadvantage of this method is that exported chats cannot be imported back into WhatsApp, but they will remain with you in the form of readable text.

8. How to check the integrity of your WhatsApp backup

Before resetting your phone or deleting WhatsAppmake sure your backup is intact. Here's how to do it:

• 🔍 Checking a local copy:
  • Open the file manager and find the file msgstore.db.crypt14.
  • Check its size - if it is less than 1 MB, the copy is most likely empty.
  • Make sure that the file is nearby msgstore.db.crypt14.key (it is needed for decryption).
• ☁️ Checking the cloud copy:
  • Go to Google Drive through a browser on your PC.
  • In the search, enter WhatsApp - the backup folder should appear.
  • Check date of the last change - it must match the date in the settings WhatsApp.

If you doubt the integrity of the copy, try restoring it on a test device (or via an emulator Android on a PC). To do this:

1. Install WhatsApp on a second phone with the same number.
2. Place the file msgstore.db.crypt14 in the folder /WhatsApp/Databases/.
3. Run WhatsApp and try restore chats.

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If during recovery WhatsApp shows the "File is corrupted" error, try using an older copy (for example, msgstore-2026-05-01.db.crypt14 instead of the latest one).

Attention: if you use Samsung Secure Folder, backups WhatsApp inside it are stored separately and are not synchronized with the main account. To save them, first export chats from Secure Folder to the regular phone memory.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about WhatsApp backups on Samsung

Is it possible to restore WhatsApp on a new Samsung if a local copy was on the old one SD card?

Yes, but for this you need:

1. Insert the same SD card into a new Samsung.
2. Make sure that the card is formatted as internal memory (in the settings storage).
3. Install WhatsApp and restore chats from a local copy.

If the card was formatted as portable, WhatsApp will not see the backup.

Why doesn’t Google Drive show WhatsApp backups, although they exist?

Backups WhatsApp to Google Drive are stored in a hidden section and are not displayed in the main interface. To see them:

1. Follow the link https://drive.google.com/drive/backups.
2. A section should appear in the list WhatsApp Backups.
3. If it is not there, check that you are logged into the same account Googlethat you used for the backup.

Also make sure that the backup is not deleted - WhatsApp stores only the latest copy, unless otherwise configured.

How to transfer a WhatsApp backup from Samsung to iPhone?

There is no direct way, but you can use workarounds:

1. Export chats to text file (via Chat Export to WhatsApp).
2. Use third-party tools like Backuptrans or iMazing (paid, require a PC).
3. Transfer media files manually via the cloud or USB.

Officially WhatsApp does not support transfer between Android and iOS due to the difference in encryption.

How much space does the backup take up? copy of WhatsApp in Google Drive?

The size depends on the number of messages and media files:

• Only chat texts: ~5–50 MB.
• With media (photos, videos, voice): from 100 MB to several GB.

Backups WhatsApp are not taken into account are limited Google Drive (they are stored separately), but if you manually upload a folder WhatsApp/Media, it will take up space in your quota.

Is it possible to recover deleted WhatsApp messages if there is no backup?

The chances are minimal, but you can try:

1. Use data recovery apps (for example, Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver).
2. Check that Are screenshots or notifications from WhatsApp saved in the notification history (for some Samsung this works).
3. Contact support WhatsApp —they can help if the messages were recently deleted (but this is unlikely).

Without a backup, it is almost impossible to restore chats, so always keep an eye on backups!