Losing a smartphone or accidentally deleting the WhatsApp application always causes panic, because the messenger stores the entire history of correspondence, important documents and family photos. Fortunately, the Android system and the messenger itself provide reliable data protection mechanisms, creating backups at a specified frequency. However, it is often not enough for the user to know that a copy exists; you need to understand where these files are physically located in order to manually transfer them to a new device or save chats after a failure.
Searching for an archive of messages may not be an obvious task, since in the latest versions of the operating system Google has changed the structure of access to system folders to improve security. If previously the files were publicly accessible in the root of the internal memory, now the path to them has become more confusing. In this article, we will analyze in detail all possible storage locations for backups, the differences between local storage and the cloud Google Drive, and also teach you how to properly restore data without losing history.
⚠️ Attention: Starting with Android 11 and later, access to the folder is limited for third-party file managers. To view files, you may need the built-in system explorer or a connection to a PC.
Android/datalimited for third party file managers. To view files, you may need the system's built-in explorer or a connection to a PC.
Local storage: physical path to database files
The most reliable way to save data is a local backup to the device’s internal memory or SD card. WhatsApp automatically creates such copies every day at 2 am, saving the last 7 days of history. To find these files manually, you need to use any file manager, for example Files by Google or the manufacturer’s built-in explorer.
The path to the treasured folder depends on the version of your operating system. On devices running Android 10 and below, the directory structure was simpler and more understandable for the average user. Database files with the extension .db.crypt14 (the number may vary depending on the encryption version) were located at the following address:
/WhatsApp/DatabasesHowever, if you have a modern smartphone with Android 11, 12, 13 or 14, the system has transferred application service data to a protected area. Now you need to go a longer path, which looks like this:
/Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/DatabasesIt is in this folder that you will find files with names like msgstore-2023-10-25.1.db.crypt14. The file named simply msgstore.db.crypt14 (undated) is the most recent backup that the application uses to restore when first installed. Local copies take up space on your device, so it is recommended to periodically clean out old archives if they are not needed.
If you do not see the Android folder in file manager, try connecting the phone to a computer via USB in file transfer mode (MTP) - access to system directories is often available without restrictions via a PC.
Cloud backup via Google Drive
Unlike local files, which take up space in the phone’s memory, cloud copies are stored on Google servers and are not visible to the user like regular files in Explorer. This is done specifically to protect data from accidental deletion or damage. The backup copy in Google Drive is tied to your account and is not displayed in the list of files for download or preview.
To check the availability of a cloud backup and find out its size, you need to go directly to the settings of the messenger itself. Go to the application menu, select Settings, then Chat and click on Chat backup. This section displays the date it was last saved, the size of the file, and the Google account it is linked to.
It is important to understand that you cannot simply download this file from the cloud and open it on your computer. Restoration is only possible during the installation of WhatsApp on your phone, when the system prompts you to find a copy in your account. If you change your phone number or Google account, access to this data will be lost, since encryption is tied to specific accounts.
- 📱 The local copy is stored in the phone memory and takes up space.
- ☁️ The cloud copy is located on Google servers and does not take up device memory.
- 🔄 Local backup occurs automatically every night at 02:00.
- 🔒 Cloud data is password protected from your Google account.
Differences in database encryption versions
When searching files in the folder Databases you will probably notice that the files have different extensions, for example, .crypt12, .crypt14 or .crypt15. This is not a random set of characters, but an indication of the version of the algorithm encryptionthat your version of the application uses. Each new version of WhatsApp may introduce more advanced data protection protocols.
Files with different extensions are incompatible with each other when trying to manually edit or restore on very old versions of the application. If you try to rename the file crypt15 to crypt12 and run it on an old version of the messenger, recovery will fail. The application simply will not be able to decrypt the database and will throw an error or create a new empty file.
Below is a table of correspondence between application versions and encryption types so that you understand what files you are dealing with:
| Encryption version | Extension example | Status support | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crypt12 | .db.crypt12 | Outdated | Used in versions 2017-2018 |
| Crypt14 | .db.crypt14 | Current | Standard for most devices in 2020-2023 |
| Crypt15 | .db.crypt15 | New | Implemented in the latest updates for enhanced protection |
| Crypt16 | .db.crypt16 | Beta/New | Experimental protocols for future versions |
When restoring data manually, always use the file with the most recent date in name and current extension. You should not try to restore chats from a year ago if you have a fresh copy, as you will lose all messages received during this period.
Is it possible to change the encryption type?
No, the encryption type is determined by the version of the installed WhatsApp application. You cannot forcibly convert a crypt14 file to crypt15 without updating the messenger itself to the latest version.
Instructions for manual recovery from a local copy
Sometimes automatic recovery from Google Drive does not work, or the cloud copy is empty and the local copy is full. In such situations, the manual recovery method helps. This process requires care, as any error in the file name or path may prevent the application from seeing the backup.
Before starting the procedure, make sure that you have access to the file system. If you're using a newer Android, you may need to connect your phone to your computer. First, delete your current WhatsApp installation, but don't delete your backup folder! After re-installation, do not open the application immediately.
⚠️ Attention: Before any manipulations with database files, be sure to make a copy of the current folder
Databasesto another location. If you make a mistake when renaming, you can permanently lose your correspondence history.
The action algorithm is as follows:
- 📂 Find the file with the desired date in the folder
/Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases. - ✏️ Rename the current file
msgstore.db.cryptXXvmsgstore.db.cryptXX.OLD(to be on the safe side). - 📝 Select the file you want to restore (for example, from yesterday) and rename it to
msgstore.db.cryptXX. - 🚀 Install WhatsApp, confirm the number and agree to restore from a local copy.
☑️ Checklist before recovery
The key point here is the exact extension match. If the original file had the ending .crypt14, then the renamed file for recovery should also have .crypt14. After launching, the application will scan the memory, detect a file with the name msgstore without a date and offer to restore chats from it.
The success of manual recovery depends 100% on the correct renaming of the file: it should be exactly the same as the file of the last automatic copy, but without indicating the date in the name.
Transfer data to a new smartphone
When buying a new Android phone, a logical question arises: how to transfer the entire history of correspondence from the old device? The easiest way is to use the same Google account and the same phone number. When you first launch WhatsApp on a new device, it will find a copy in the cloud Google Drive and offer to restore it.
However, if you change your phone and don’t want to wait for downloading from the cloud (which can take a long time if the Internet is slow), you can use a local transfer. To do this, copy the entire folder WhatsApp from the old phone to the new one, maintaining the directory structure. On the new device, the path should be identical: /Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp.
It is worth considering that when you change your phone number, data transfer becomes more complicated. WhatsApp links backups to the number specified when creating the backup. If you simply insert a new SIM card and try to restore an old backup, the system may not recognize it correctly. In this case, it is better to first restore the data on the old phone, change the number inside the application settings (function Change number), create a new copy, and only then transfer it to the new device.
⚠️ Attention: The settings interface and file paths may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer's shell (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS). Always check the latest paths in the official help center if the standard instructions do not work.
There is also a function for direct data transfer when initially setting up a new smartphone, when both devices are connected by cable. This is the most modern method that does not require manual copying of files and works faster than cloud recovery.
Common problems and ways to solve them
Users often encounter a situation where there is a backup file, but WhatsApp “does not see” it. Most often, the reason lies in a mismatch between encryption versions or incorrect folder location. If you updated the application and then tried to restore an old backup with an older encryption type, the system will deny access to the data.
Another common problem is lack of space on the internal drive. To unpack and install a backup, free space is required that is 2-3 times larger than the size of the backup file itself. If the memory is full, the recovery process will be interrupted in the middle, and the database may be damaged.
Sometimes it happens that there are no files in the folder Databases at all. This may mean that automatic copying was disabled in settings or the application did not have permission to write to memory. In this case, you should check the access settings in the section Applications → WhatsApp → Permissions and make sure that access to files is allowed.
Why is the copy not downloaded from Google Drive?
Most often the problem is a mismatch of accounts. Make sure that the exact Google account to which the copy was made is added in the phone settings and in the Google Play store. Also check for updates for Google Play services.
Is it possible to read a WhatsApp backup on a computer without a phone?
No, it is impossible to directly open the file .db.crypt on a computer, since it is encrypted with a unique key stored inside the phone. There are third-party decryption apps, but they require a key file keywhich is also located in a protected area of Android memory. Without root access, it is extremely difficult to obtain this key.
How often should you make a manual backup?
It is not necessary to make a manual copy if automatic daily saving is configured. However, before important system updates or before resetting your phone, it is recommended to press the button Backup in the chat settings forcibly to save the data for the current minute.
What happens if I delete the WhatsApp folder from the phone?
If you delete folder WhatsApp completely, you will lose all media files (photos, videos, voices) that were not saved separately to the gallery. Text messages can only be restored if you have a fresh copy in Google Drive or you managed to copy the folder Databases before deleting.
Does a Google Drive backup take up space in my storage?
Yes, copies of WhatsApp take up space in your Google cloud storage. However, as per current rules, WhatsApp backups may not count towards Google One storage quota if this option is enabled in Settings. In any case, it is recommended to periodically check the used space in the Google Drive settings.
Is it possible to recover messages if I changed my phone to an iPhone?
Direct recovery from an Android file to an iPhone is not possible due to different file system architectures and encryption. To transfer data from Android to iOS, you must use a special application Move to iOS during the initial setup of your iPhone, which will create a temporary tunnel for transferring encrypted chats.