Deleting WhatsApp by mistake, resetting the phone to factory settings or buying a new device are situations when you have to restore the messenger from scratch. Many users are afraid of losing years of correspondence, photos and videos, especially if backup was not set up in advance. Fortunately, you can restore WhatsApp to Android for free, even without technical skills, using built-in tools and hidden functions.

In this article we will look at all current recovery methods. — from standard recovery from Google Drive to manual data extraction from local backups. You will learn how to get chats back on a new phone, what to do if the backup is damaged, and how to bypass restrictions WhatsApp without the risk of having your account blocked. We will pay special attention to hidden nuanceswhich are not written about in the official certificate, but which can save your data.

⚠️ Warning: If you deleted WhatsApp less than 30 days back, the chances of recovery are maximum. After this period, servers WhatsApp can permanently delete inactive accounts along with data.

1. Restoring WhatsApp from Google Drive (official method)

The most reliable and recommended method is restoring from a cloud backup to Google Drive. It works if: Google Drive The cloud has enough free space (a backup can weigh

  • 🔹 You have previously enabled backup in settings WhatsApp.
  • 🔹 The same account is linked to the phone Google, as when creating a backup.
  • 🔹 The cloud has enough free space (a backup can weigh 1–5 GB depending on the number of media files).

To restore chats:

  1. Install WhatsApp from Google Play and open it.
  2. Confirm the phone number (must match the number from which the backup was made).
  3. The screen will ask you to restore data from Google Drive - click Restore.
  4. Wait for the process to complete (may take 5–30 minutes depending on Internet speed).

⚠️ Attention: If you skip the restore step and click Skipthe data from the clouds will be lost! You will have to uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp again.

📊 How often do you backup WhatsApp?
Daily
Once a week
Once a month
Only before resetting the phone
Never

2. Local recovery from the file msgstore.db.crypt14

If the cloud backup is missing or damaged, you can try to restore data from local backupwhich WhatsApp is created automatically every day at 4:00 morning. The files are stored in the folder:

/sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/

In this folder, look for files like:

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

To restore data:

  1. Copy the desired file (for example, msgstore.db.crypt14) to a computer or other safe place.
  2. Rename it to msgstore.db.crypt14 (if you are taking an archived copy).
  3. Delete WhatsApp and install again.
  4. When you first start the messenger will automatically find a local backup and offer to restore it.

🔹 Important: If the file has the extension crypt12 or crypt15, this means that it was created on a different version WhatsApp. It will not be possible to restore it in the standard way - conversion will be required (more on this below).

Make a copy of the WhatsApp/Databases folder on your PC

Make sure there is enough space on the phone (at least 1 GB)

Disable automatic WhatsApp update on Google Play

Battery charge is at least 50%-->

3. Converting old backups (crypt12 → crypt14)

If your backup has the extension crypt12 or crypt8, this means that it was created on an old version WhatsApp (until 2021). Modern versions of the messenger cannot read such files, but they can be converted using third-party tools.

🔹 Method 1: Through WhatsApp Key/DB Extractor (for PC)

  • 🖥️ Download the utility WhatsApp Key/DB Extractor (free, open code).
  • 📁 Place the backup file (msgstore.db.crypt12) in the app folder.
  • 🔑 Run extract_keys.bat and follow the instructions to extract the encryption key.
  • 🔄 Use the key to convert the backup to crypt14 via decrypt12.py.

🔹 Method 2: Through WhatsApp Viewer (for Android)

The application WhatsApp Viewer (available in Google Play) can read old backups directly, but does not restore them to the messenger. Suitable if you just need to view your correspondence history.

⚠️ Attention: Converting backups is a risky operation. If the file is damaged, you may lose your data forever. Always make a backup copy of the original file before any manipulation.

Why did WhatsApp change the backup format?

In 2021, WhatsApp updated the encryption protocol backups for increased security. Old formats (crypt8, crypt12) are vulnerable to “brute force” attacks, so new backups are created in the crypt14 format with enhanced protection.

4. Restoring to a new phone (transferring chats)

When buying a new Androidsmartphone, many are faced with the problem: how to transfer chats WhatsApp from an old device? The official method is to restore from Google Drive, but it only works if:

  • 📱 Cloud backup was enabled on the old phone.
  • 🔄 The new phone is linked to the same account Google.
  • 📅 No more than 15 months has passed since the last backup (otherwise WhatsApp deletes old copies).

If there is no cloud backup, use local transfer:

  1. Copy the folder /sdcard/WhatsApp/ from the old phone to the new one (via cable, Google Drive or USB drive).
  2. Install WhatsApp on the new device and confirm the same number.
  3. When the messenger offers to restore data, it will find a local backup in the copied folder.

🔹 Nuance: If you change your phone number, first transfer chats to the new phone with the old number, and then change the number in the settings WhatsApp (Settings → Account → Change number).

💡

If during transfer WhatsApp asks to confirm the number via SMS, but the code does not arrive, try requesting a call with the code. Also check whether your operator is blocking service messages (relevant for virtual SIMs).

5. Restoring deleted messages (without backup)

If you deleted the correspondence manually (click Delete chat) and did not make a backup, the chances of recovery are minimal. However, there are several methods that sometimes help:

🔹 Method 1: Checking notifications

Android saves the notification text in the system log. If the message arrived with notifications turned on, it can be found through applications like Notification History Log (requires root access).

🔹 Method 2: Search in the file system

WhatsApp stores media files (photos, videos, voice) in folders:

/sdcard/WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Images/

/sdcard/WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Video/


/sdcard/WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Voice Notes/

Even if the chat is deleted, the files may remain. To search, use ES Explorer or Files by Google with a filter by date.

🔹 Method 3: Contact support

WhatsApp does not restore deleted messages upon request, but if your account was hacked or data was lost due to a server failure, you can try writing to support using the form: Settings → Help → Contact usIndicate the date and time of the incident as accurately as possible.

⚠️ Attention: apps like Dr.Fone or Tenorshare UltData promise to recover deleted messages, but:

  • 💰 Most functions are paid (from 50$).
  • 🛡️ There is no guarantee of success - often only fragments of data are recovered.
  • 🚨 Risk of installing malware (download only from official sites).

6. Solving problems during recovery

Sometimes recovery WhatsApp is interrupted with errors. Let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them:

Error Cause Solution
Failed to restore the backup The backup file is damaged or there is not enough space Delete unnecessary files on the phone and try again. If that doesn’t help, use another backup (for example, msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt14)
Google Authentication Error Invalid account Google or two-factor authentication Make sure you are logged into the same account as when creating the backup. Disable 2FA in settings Google on. recovery time
Backup not found The backup file was deleted or moved Check the folder /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/. If there are no files, the backup was not created
Error network Unstable Internet connection Connect to Wi-Fi or enable data roaming (if you are restoring in another country)

🔹 If WhatsApp freezes on the screen recovery:

  1. Close the application via Settings → Applications → WhatsApp → Stop.
  2. Clear the cache WhatsApp in the same settings.
  3. Repeat recovery.

🔹 If the backup is too large and cannot be restored:

Break the process into parts - first restore text messages (delete the folder Media from the backup), and then manually copy the media files.

— Correct file name (msgstore.db.crypt14)

— Folder Databases located in the root directory /sdcard/WhatsApp/

— There is enough free space on the phone (at least 2 times the size of the backup)-->

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about restoring WhatsApp

Is it possible to restore WhatsApp to another phone number?

No, WhatsApp links backups to a phone number. If you changed the number, first restore the chats to the old number, and then change it in the messenger settings (Settings → Account → Change number).

How long is a backup stored in Google Drive?

Backups are stored 15 months from the moment of the last update. If you have not used WhatsApp longer than this period, the data can be deleted. Local backups on the phone are stored until you delete them. manually.

Why doesn't WhatsApp offer to restore the backup during installation?

This happens if:

  • 📌 There is another account on the phone Google.
  • 📌 The backup was created on another device (for example, on iPhone).
  • 📌 The backup file is damaged or deleted.

Check the folder /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/ —if there are files there msgstore*.db.crypt14, try renaming them to msgstore.db.crypt14 i repeat the installation.

Is it possible to restore WhatsApp without a SIM card?

Yes, but you will need:

  1. Insert a SIM card with the same number at least for the duration of activation.
  2. Or use a virtual number (for example, through Google Voice, but this breaks the rules WhatsApp and may lead to a ban).

After confirming the number, the SIM card can be removed - WhatsApp will work via Wi-Fi or mobile data.

What to do if WhatsApp writes "This account is blocked"?

Blocking occurs when:

  • 🔄 Frequently changing numbers or devices.
  • 🤖 Using unofficial versions (GBWhatsApp, YoWhatsApp).
  • 📢 Bulk messaging (spam).

To unblock an account:

  1. Install the official version WhatsApp from Google Play.
  2. Wait 24–72 hours —temporary blocking is removed automatically.
  3. If the blocking is permanent, write to support via the form Settings → Help → Contact us.