Losing important correspondence or deleting a messenger by mistake is an extremely unpleasant situation, but often fixable. For users Android the system WhatsApp provides two main ways to save data: cloud storage Google Drive and local device memory. Understanding the differences between these methods is critical to successful data recovery.
Many users mistakenly believe that they can simply “open” the backup file as a Word document or text to read messages without installing an application. In fact, the database encrypted has a specific format, readable only by the messenger itself at the time of initialization. The process of “entering” a backup copy in practice means a procedure recovery chat when re-installing or setting up an account.
In this article we will analyze in detail the mechanics of backups, methods for forcing recovery and the nuances of working with local files if the cloud option is not available. You will learn where files are physically stored on your smartphone and how to properly prepare the device to recover lost data.
Principles of WhatsApp backup
The data archiving system in the messenger works automatically unless the user has disabled this function in the settings. By default Google Drive is used as the main storage for cloud copies. This allows you to save correspondence history, media files and account settings separately from the physical memory of the phone, which is convenient when changing devices.
However, in addition to the cloud, the application creates daily local copy in/internal storage/Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases. These files are stored in encrypted form with the extension .crypt14 or .crypt15 (the number depends on the version of the application). Decryption keys are tied to a specific phone number and account.
It is important to understand that recovery is only possible if the phone number matches and, in the case of Google Drive, Google accountthat was used to create the backup. An attempt to download someone else's copy or use a file from another number without special tools will result in an initialization error.
⚠️ Attention: Backup files are protected by end-to-end encryption. You cannot read the contents of the file
msgstore.db.cryptusing a text editor or third-party database viewers without the decryption key, which is stored in a secure area of the system.
Make sure that the same Google account is set on your phone that was used to create the Google Drive backup. Otherwise, the application will not see the archive in the cloud.
Preparing the smartphone for data recovery
Before starting the procedure, you need to make sure that a number of technical requirements are met. Ignoring these conditions often results in the “Restore” button simply not appearing or the process being interrupted in the middle. Connection stability and free space are key success factors.
First, check the availability of free space. The size of the restored copy can significantly exceed the size of the archive file itself, since during the unpacking process all media files (photos, videos, voice messages) are loaded. It is recommended to have a memory reserve of at least 2-3 times more the size of the backup file.
Secondly, ensure a stable Internet connection. Cloud recovery requires Wi-Fi or fast mobile data. When using a local file, the Internet may not be needed, but it is necessary to verify the phone number via SMS or call.
☑️ Ready for recovery
It is also worth disabling the power saving mode, which can limit the background activity of the application while unpacking the archive. If you are using custom firmware or you have rights Superuser, make sure that access rights to system folders do not block the operation of the messenger.
Recovery from a cloud copy of Google Drive
This is the easiest and most common way to get your data back. The process is fully automated, but requires the correct sequence of actions when installing the application. If you are simply updating the application, the recovery will not begin - a complete reinstallation is required.
First, remove the current version WhatsApp from your device. Then go to Google Play Market and download the official version of the messenger. Launch the application and go through the verification procedure by entering your phone number. After confirming the number, the system will automatically detect the backup copy on your Google Drive.
A prompt will appear on the screen to restore your chat history and media files. Press the button Restore. Do not click "Skip" or you will not be able to initiate this process later without reinstalling again. Wait until the download is complete, after which your chats will become available, and media files will be loaded in the background.
| Option | Requirement | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Account Google | The same as was used earlier | Changing the account makes the copy invisible |
| Phone number | Identical to the original | The cipher will not work without a matching number |
| Whatsapp version | Current from Play Market | Old versions may not support new crypt formats |
| Network status | Stable Wi-Fi | mobile data may be slow for video |
Working with local backups
If you do not have access to Google Drive or the cloud copy is out of date, you can use a local archive. Android keeps backups for the last 7 days. Files are named by creation date, for example msgstore-2023-10-25.1.db.crypt14. The current database is usually called simply msgstore.db.crypt14.
To restore a specific date, you will need a file manager. Find the folder Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases (on older Androids the path may be simply WhatsApp/Databases). Copy the file with the desired date and rename it, removing the date from the name, so that it remains msgstore.db.crypt14. First rename the current file by adding a postscript .oldto it so as not to lose fresh data.
After renaming, uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp. When verifying the number, the application will offer to restore a copy. Since cloud search can take time or return an old version, sometimes the system will automatically pick up the local file if it has a more recent date than the cloud one, or if you turned off the Internet before launching the application (the method is not always guaranteed, but works on many versions).
⚠️ Attention: Local copies are stored for only 7 days. Files older than this period are automatically deleted by the messenger system to save space. If you need to save the archive for a long time, manually copy the file to another safe location.
What to do if the WhatsApp folder is not in the file manager?
On Android 11 and higher, access to the Android folder is limited. Use the built-in Files application from Google or give the file manager special access through the system settings (Permissions -> Access to all files).
Recovery problems and how to solve them
Users often encounter a situation where the process freezes at the “Restore from Backup” stage or the application throws an error. Most often this is due to corruption of the archive file or lack of system resources. In such cases, do not panic, there are several debugging methods.
If the recovery is stuck at 99%, try clearing the application cache Google Play Servicesas this service is responsible for interacting with Disk. Go to Settings → Applications → Google Play Services → Storage → Clear cache. After that, restart your phone and try again.
In case of an error “The backup could not be restored,” check the integrity of the file. If you are using the local method, the file may have been damaged during copying. Try restoring a copy from the previous day. Also make sure that the phone has the same version WhatsAppthat created the backup, or a newer one.
If restoring from Google Drive is not possible, always check for local copies for the last 7 days in the Databases folder - this is your backup option.
Transferring a copy from one Android to another
When changing a smartphone, the task becomes more complicated if you cannot log into your Google account on the new device right away or want to transfer data without the Internet. The most reliable way is to use the export/import function through a local file or the official transfer function when initially setting up the phone.
For manual transfer, copy the entire folder WhatsApp from the old phone to the new one, respecting the directory structure. On a new device, the paths may differ depending on the Android version. After copying, install the messenger, but do not launch it immediately. Make sure that the file msgstore.db.crypt.. is in the correct folder.
Modern versions of Android and WhatsApp support direct transfer via cable or QR code when setting up a new smartphone for the first time. This method is preferable, as it transfers not only the database, but also media files, without requiring manual copying via a PC.
⚠️ Attention: When transferring to a phone with a different version of Android (for example, from 10 to 13), the folder structure may change. Make sure that the folder
Databasesis insideAndroid/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsAppand not in the root of the internal memory, otherwise the application will not see the files.
When transferring data via a computer, use the original USB cable. Cheap "charge only" cables do not transfer files, which will lead to a copy error and damage to the archive.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I read a WhatsApp backup on a computer without a phone?
No, read the file directly .crypt on a computer is impossible due to encryption. The file is only meant to be imported back into the WhatsApp app on a mobile device with the same phone number. There are third-party decryption utilities, but they require a key from the phone and are difficult to use for the average user.
What happens if I click “Skip” during recovery?
If you click "Skip", WhatsApp will start with an empty list of chats. To restore data later, you will have to delete the application, download it again and go through the number verification again. Only with a clean installation does a prompt appear to restore the copy.
How often are backups created?
By default, a local copy is created every day at 2:00 am. A cloud copy on Google Drive is created at the same frequency if “Daily” is selected in the settings (Settings → Chats → Chat Backup). You can change the frequency to weekly or monthly, or turn off autosave.
Does backup take up space in your Google Drive storage?
Yes, WhatsApp backups take up space in your quota Google Drive. However, if the copy was created before November 12, 2021, it may not count towards the limit (old rules). Now all new backups are taken into account in the total volume of your cloud storage.