WhatsApp automatically creates backup copies of your chats, but not enough who knows where exactly they are stored on the smartphone. Without this knowledge, you risk losing important messages when you change phones, reset settings, or break your device. In this article, we will look at in which folder are WhatsApp backups on Android located?how to find them manually, why they can disappear, and what to do if the messenger does not see the old copy.

Spoiler: the path to backups is not always obvious - it depends on the version data-i="35">, phone model, and even whether you use Android, phone model and even whether you use Google Drive or local storage. We will also reveal little-known nuances: for example, why backups take up space even after deleting the messenger, and how to properly clear them without losing data.

Why it is important to know where WhatsApp backups are stored

Most users rely on automatic backups, but this is fraught with unpleasant surprises:

  • 🔄 When changing the phone WhatsApp may not find the old backup if it was stored only locally.
  • 📱 After resetting the settings (Factory Reset) copies sometimes “disappear” from the standard folder.
  • 🗄️ Local backups take up gigabytes of memory, but they are not visible in the gallery or standard file manager.
  • ☁️ Cloud copies in Google Drive may not update due to synchronization errors.

Knowing the exact location of the files, you can:

  • 🔍 Manually copy the backup to a PC or another phone.
  • 🧹 Free up space by deleting unnecessary ones copies.
  • 🛠️ Restore chats if the messenger “does not see” automatic backups.

In addition, some manufacturers (for example, Xiaomi or Huawei) modify the folder structure, which complicates the search. We took these nuances into account and prepared universal instructions.

📊 Where do you usually store WhatsApp backups?
Only on your phone
In Google Drive
On your computer
I don’t know where they are lie

The main folder with WhatsApp backups on Android

By default WhatsApp saves local backups in a hidden folder on the phone’s internal memory. Full path:

/sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/

Let's look at this path in parts:

  • /sdcard/ - this is not a real SD card, but internal storage the phone (even if you do not have a physical memory card).
  • WhatsApp/ - root folder messenger, where media files, settings and backups are stored.
  • Databases/ —here are backup files with the extension .crypt14 (or .crypt12 in older versions).

Important: folder Databases may be hidden. To see it, you need to enable the display of hidden files in the file manager (more on this in the next section).

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If you have a phone with support OTG, you can connect a flash drive and immediately copy the folder Databases to it - this will speed up the transfer of the backup to a new smartphone.

How to find the folder with backups through the file manager

Instructions Suitable for most smartphones Android 5.0 and newer, including devices Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme and others. Follow the steps:

  1. Open any file manager (for example, Files by Google, Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).
  2. In the menu, find the option "Show hidden files" (usually in the settings or through three dots in the corner of the screen).
  3. Go to the root directory of the internal memory (it can be called "Internal storage", "Device storage" or simply "/").
  4. Find the folder WhatsApp and open it.
  5. There will be a subfolder inside Databases —all local backups are stored here.

If there are no folders WhatsApp check:

  • 🔹 Is messenger installed on the phone (without it the folder will not is being created).
  • 🔹 Have you transferred WhatsApp to the SD card (then the path will be /extSdCard/WhatsApp/Databases/).
  • 🔹 Is the folder hidden by system settings (relevant for some firmware MIUI or EMUI).

☑️ Search for WhatsApp backups

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In the folder Databases you will see files like:

  • msgstore.db.crypt14 — last backup.
  • msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt14 —previous copies (dates in the name).

Files with extension .crypt14 are encrypted and cannot be opened directly. They are intended only for recovery via the same WhatsApp.

What backup files look like and what their names mean

In the folder Databases you will find several types of files. Here is their transcript:

File name Description Can I delete
msgstore.db.crypt14 The latest (current) backup of chats. ❌ No - this is the main one copy.
msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt14 Old backups (dates in the name). ✅ Yes, if not needed for recovery.
wa.db Database of current messages (not a backup!). ❌ No - deletion will lead to loss chats.
backup-key Key for decrypting backups (important for recovery). ❌ No - without it, the backup is useless.

Files .crypt12, .crypt13 or .crypt14 are different encryption version. Modern versions WhatsApp use crypt14, but the messenger can also restore old formats.

The size of the backup depends on the number of messages and media files. For example:

  • 📱 10,000 messages without attachments - ~5–10 MB.
  • 📷 10,000 messages with photos/videos - from 500 MB to several GB.

If a folder Databases weighs too much, it can be cleared, leaving only the latest backup. More on this in the next section.

What to do if the backup files are damaged?

If during recovery WhatsApp it says “The backup file is damaged,” try:

1. Rename the file (for example, remove the date from the name).

2. Copy it to your PC and back.

3. Use an old version of the messenger (for example, 2.21.xx) to restore.

If all else fails, the backup is most likely irretrievably damaged.

How to free up space by deleting old backups

Local copies can take up gigabytes of memory, especially if you have not cleaned the folder for a long time Databases. Here's how to safely delete unnecessary files:

  1. Open the file manager and go to /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/.
  2. Sort files by date (to see the oldest).
  3. Delete all files except:
    • msgstore.db.crypt14 (latest backup),
    • backup-key (encryption key).
  • Empty the recycle bin (if the file manager uses it).

    • ⚠️ Attention: If you delete msgstore.db.crypt14, WhatsApp will create a new backup only during the next backup. Until this moment, restoring chats will be impossible!

    To avoid the accumulation of garbage, set up automatic cleaning:

    1. Open WhatsApp → ⋮ → Settings → Chat → Backup copy.
    2. Select "Back up to Google Drive" and set up a schedule (for example, weekly).
    3. In the "Local backup" section, disable automatic creation of copies if you do not need them are needed.

    This will reduce the number of local backups, but will save them in the cloud (if there is space in Google Drive).

    Where the WhatsApp backup is stored if the phone is connected to Google Disk

    If you have configured backup to the cloud, copies are stored in Google Drive, but not in a shared folder, but in a hidden section. You can see them like this:

    1. Open Google Drive on. phone or PC.
    2. In the search bar, enter: 
      app:com.whatsapp
    3. The system will show all backups WhatsApp, sorted by date.

      4. Cloud features backups:

      • ☁️ They do not take up space on the phone, but are taken into account in the quota Google Drive (15 GB free).
      • 🔄 You can restore chats from the cloud only to the same phone number from which you made backup.
      • 🚫 If you haven’t used it for a long time WhatsApp, Google can automatically delete old copies (after 1-2 years of inactivity).

      ⚠️ Attention: When restoring from Google Drive WhatsApp downloads the backup to the phone folder Databasesand then deletes it after installation. Do not interrupt the process, otherwise the copy may be damaged.

      If the cloud backup is not located, check:

      • 🔹 Is your account connected Google to phone.
      • 🔹 Is there enough space in Google Drive (if not, backups are not created).
      • 🔹 Is synchronization disabled in the messenger settings.

    What to do if your WhatsApp backup has disappeared

    Sometimes backups “disappear” for no apparent reason. Here are the most common scenarios and solutions:

    Problem Possible cause Solution
    Folder Databases empty Local backup is disabled Enable it in settings WhatsApp → Chat → Backup
    There is a backup, but WhatsApp doesn’t see it The file is damaged or the phone number does not match Rename the file to msgstore.db.crypt14 and check the number
    Cloud copy is missing in Google Drive Not enough space or synchronization is disabled Clean up disk space or check your account settings
    After resetting the phone, the backups disappeared The folder WhatsApp was on the internal memory and was erased Look for copies in Google Drive or on an old SD card

    If you are sure that there was a backup, but now it is gone, try:

    1. Connect the phone to the PC and scan the memory with apps like DiskDigger or Recuva (they look for deleted files).
    2. Check the folder WhatsApp on the SD card (if it was inserted during the backup).
    3. Install the old version WhatsApp (for example, 2.20.xx) - sometimes it “sees” copies that the new version does not recognize.

    ⚠️ Attention: If you have already reinstalled WhatsApp and confirmed the number, old local backups may have been overwritten by new ones. In this case, only the cloud copy remains (if there is one).

    💡

    The most reliable strategy is to store backups in two places: locally (on your phone or SD card) and in Google Drive. This way you are protected from data loss in case of failures or device changes.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about WhatsApp backups

    Is it possible to transfer a WhatsApp backup from Android to iPhone?

    No, this is not directly possible due to different backup formats. WhatsApp for iOS uses iCloudand for Android — Google Drive or local storage. However, there are workarounds: Google Drive chat

    1. Restore the backup to Android.
    2. Export chats one by one using the "Export chat" (without media files).
    3. Send the exported files to iPhone and import them.

    Media files (photos, videos) will have to be transferred separately.

    Why does WhatsApp not see the backup in Google Drive?

    The reasons may be the following:

    • 🔹 You are logged into a different account Googlethan the one from which the backup was made.
    • 🔹 There is not enough space on the phone to download a copy (you need at least 2–3 GB of free space).
    • 🔹 The backup was made from another phone number.
    • 🔹 Version WhatsApp too old or, conversely, new (try updating the messenger).

    Solution: check your account Google, free up space on your phone and make sure the number matches.

    How to restore WhatsApp from a local copy after resetting the phone?

    Follow the instructions:

    1. Copy the folder Databases with a backup to your phone (for example, from a PC or SD card).
    2. Install WhatsApp, but do not run it!
    3. Place backup files in /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/.
    4. Run WhatsApp and confirm your phone number.
    5. When the messenger offers to restore chats, agree.

    If the backup is not located, check:

    • 🔹 Is the file named correctly (msgstore.db.crypt14).
    • 🔹 Is it in the correct folder.
    • 🔹 Does the phone number match the one from which the backup was made.
    Is it possible to open the msgstore.db.crypt14 file without WhatsApp?

    Technically, yes, but it’s difficult. .crypt14 encrypted, and to decrypt them you need:

    • 🔑 File backup-key from folder Databases.
    • 🛠️ Special tools like WhatsApp Key/DB Extractor (require root access).
    • 💻 Knowledge of encryption (or ready-made scripts for Python).

    For most users, it is easier to restore chats by yourself WhatsApp.

    How much space does a WhatsApp backup take?

    The size depends on:

    • 📊 Number of messages (text chats take up little space).
    • 📷 Number of media files (photos, videos, voice messages).
    • 🗑️ Number of old backups in the folder Databases.

    Approximate figures:

    • 📱 1 year of correspondence without media - ~ 10–50 MB.
    • 📷 1 year with photo/video - from 500 MB to 5 GB.
    • 🗂️ Folder with all old backups - up to 10–20 GB (if it has not been cleaned for a long time).

    To reduce the size, disable backup of media files in the settings WhatsApp.