✅ How to Fix “Unable to Restore Your Chats from Backup” on WhatsApp – Ultimate Guide

WhatsApp is a big part of our daily lives—whether it’s chatting with friends, sharing photos, or storing important messages. But when you’re switching phones or reinstalling the app and see the dreaded message “Unable to restore your chats from backup”, panic sets in.

This guide is here to solve the WhatsApp backup issue, step-by-step. Whether you’re on Android or iPhone, using Google Drive, iCloud, or even a local backup, we’ve got solutions.

Let’s fix your chat restore not working problem and get those conversations back.

1: Understand How WhatsApp Backup Works (Before You Fix Anything)

Before trying to fix the issue, it’s important to understand how WhatsApp handles backups.

🔹 Cloud Backup vs. Local Backup

• Cloud backup: Android users use Google Drive. iPhone users use iCloud.
• Local backup: Only available on Android, saved directly in your phone’s internal storage.

🔹 Where Are WhatsApp Backups Stored?

• Android: Google Drive > Backups
• iPhone: iCloud Settings > Manage Storage > WhatsApp
• Local (Android only): Internal Storage > WhatsApp > Databases folder

🔹 Backup Frequency

WhatsApp creates automatic daily backups at 2 AM (default). You can also back up manually by going to:
Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > Back Up

🔹 Important: Use the Same Account

To restore successfully:

• Use the same phone number
• Use the same Google account (Android) or Apple ID (iPhone)

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2: Major Reasons Why WhatsApp Can’t Restore Your Chats

Several issues could stop WhatsApp from restoring your backup:

1. Wrong number or account: If you use a different phone number or Google/Apple account, the backup won’t show up.
2. Corrupted or outdated backup: Backups that are too old or damaged can’t be restored.
3. Low phone storage: No space = no room to restore chats.
4. Weak internet connection: A slow or unstable Wi-Fi can interrupt the process.
5. Incompatible WhatsApp version: Old versions may not support your backup format.
6. Encrypted backup problems: If your backup is encrypted, you need the 64-digit key or password.
7. App permissions not granted: WhatsApp needs access to storage, contacts, and Google/iCloud to work properly.

3: Quick Pre-Fix Checklist Before Starting Any Restore

Before diving into the solutions, here’s a quick checklist to increase your chances of success:

• ✅ Make sure you’re using the same phone number as the backup
• ✅ Verify the correct Google or iCloud account is linked
• ✅ Update WhatsApp to the latest version
• ✅ Ensure at least 1 GB of free storage
• ✅ Connect to strong, stable Wi-Fi
• ✅ Allow all permissions during install (storage, contacts, network, etc.)
• ✅ Turn on location services temporarily

4: Fix for Android – Google Drive Backup Not Restoring

Having trouble restoring from Google Drive? Try these solutions:

✅ 1. Clear Cache and Data

Go to:
Settings > Apps > Google Play Services > Storage > Clear Cache and Data

Also do this for:
WhatsApp > Storage > Clear Cache (NOT data)

✅ 2. Re-Link Google Account in WhatsApp

• Go to Settings > Accounts > Google
• Remove your Google account and add it again
• Open WhatsApp, try restoring again

✅ 3. Delete Old WhatsApp Backups

• Visit drive.google.com
• Click on the gear icon > Settings > Manage Apps > WhatsApp
• Delete older or corrupted backups

✅ 4. Force WhatsApp to Detect Backup

• Uninstall WhatsApp
• Reinstall WhatsApp
• Make sure to tap “Allow” for all permissions
• Enter the same phone number and Google account

✅ 5. Check if Backup Exists (Step-by-Step)

1. Go to Google Drive > Backups
2. Look for a file named “WhatsApp backup”
3. If it’s not there, WhatsApp can’t restore

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5: Fix for iPhone – iCloud Backup Not Restoring

If you’re an iPhone user and WhatsApp won’t restore from iCloud:

✅ 1. Make Sure iCloud is Enabled

Go to:
Settings > Your Name > iCloud > Show All > WhatsApp
Turn it ON.

✅ 2. Check iCloud Storage

• Settings > iCloud > Manage Storage
• You need at least 2 GB free to restore

✅ 3. Re-login to iCloud

• Sign out of your Apple ID and sign back in
• Restart your iPhone

✅ 4. Install iOS Updates

Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install the latest version

✅ 5. Manual Restore

1. Uninstall WhatsApp
2. Reinstall WhatsApp
3. Verify your number
4. When prompted, tap “Restore Chat History”

6: Restore Chats Using Local Backup (Offline Method for Android)

If Google Drive fails, Android lets you restore from a local backup.

🪜 Step-by-Step:

1. Open File Manager > WhatsApp > Databases
2. Find the file named like msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt14
3. Rename it to: msgstore.db.crypt14
4. Uninstall WhatsApp
5. Reinstall WhatsApp and tap “Restore” when prompted

📌 Tip: Use apps like X-plore File Manager if folders are hidden.

7: Dealing with Encrypted Backups and 2FA Issues

WhatsApp allows end-to-end encrypted backups, which means:

• You must enter your password or 64-digit encryption key
• Without it, the backup is useless—even to WhatsApp

🔑 Forgot the Encryption Key?

• If you set a password, try password recovery via WhatsApp
• If it’s a 64-digit key and you lost it, you can’t restore the encrypted backup

🛠 How to Disable Encryption (Temporarily):

1. Open WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > End-to-End Encrypted Backup
2. Disable or reset it (requires access to the old phone)

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8: Fix Restore Issues Without Internet – Airplane Mode Trick

Want to force a local restore instead of cloud restore?

✈️ Airplane Mode Method (Android Only):

1. Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp
2. Turn on Airplane Mode before opening the app
3. WhatsApp will skip cloud restore and look for local backup
4. Tap Restore from local backup

9: Fix WhatsApp Restore Failed on New Phone

Switching from Android to iPhone or vice versa?

✅ Use Official Migration Tools:

• Android to iPhone: Use Move to iOS
• iPhone to Android: Use the “Transfer Chats” feature on the new phone

⚠️ Note:

Local Android backups won’t work on iPhones and vice versa. Only cloud backups of the same platform can be restored.

10: Advanced Troubleshooting (For Tech-Savvy Users)

If none of the above works and you’re comfortable with tools:

🛠 Use ADB (Android Debug Bridge)

• Backup or push files between your phone and PC

💻 Use Third-Party Tools

• WazzapMigrator (Android to iOS)
• Dr.Fone (Cross-platform restore)

🔍 Check Log Files

• Use file managers to read log.txt files inside WhatsApp folder
• Identify exact error messages

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11: Avoid This Problem in the Future – Smart Backup Tips

Keep your chats safe by following these tips:

• ✅ Enable daily auto-backup (WhatsApp > Settings > Chat Backup)
• ✅ Use both cloud and local backups
• ✅ Keep your 2FA details and encryption keys saved securely
• ✅ Regularly check if the backup exists in Google Drive or iCloud
• ✅ Enable email notifications from your cloud account for failed backups

12: When Nothing Works – Contact WhatsApp Support

If all else fails, reach out to the official support.

📝 How to Contact:

• Open WhatsApp > Settings > Help > Contact Us
• Add info like:
  • Your phone number
  • Type of backup (Google Drive/iCloud/local)
  • Platform (Android/iPhone)
  • Screenshots or log files (if available)

💬 What to Expect:

Support replies within 24–48 hours with possible fixes or confirmation that backup is unavailable.

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Conclusion

You’re not alone—chat restore not working is a common issue for WhatsApp users. But with the right steps, most problems can be fixed.

✅ Use the right account and number
✅ Make sure your backup exists
✅ Try cloud, local, and even offline methods
✅ Use advanced tools if you’re tech-savvy

Remember, back up your chats regularly and always keep a copy in both local and cloud storage.

If this guide helped you, share it with others who might be facing the same issue!

FAQs

Q1. Why is my WhatsApp not restoring from Google Drive?

This issue can be caused by a mismatched phone number, incorrect Google account, or insufficient storage on your device. Ensure your Google account is correctly linked and your phone has enough space.

Q2. Can I restore WhatsApp backup without uninstalling?

Yes, you can restore a WhatsApp backup without uninstalling the app, provided you reinstall WhatsApp or perform a restore during the setup process after clearing app data.

Q3. How to recover WhatsApp chats without backup?

If you don’t have a backup, using third-party data recovery tools like Dr.Fone or WazzapMigrator can help retrieve lost WhatsApp chats from your phone’s storage.

Q4. Why can’t WhatsApp find my backup?

WhatsApp may not find your backup if the phone number or Google/iCloud account doesn’t match the one used to create the backup or if there’s insufficient storage space.

Q5. How to check if WhatsApp backup is available in Google Drive or iCloud?

For Google Drive, go to drive.google.com, click on the gear icon, and check “Backups.” For iCloud, go to Settings > iCloud > Storage > Manage Storage.

Q6. Can I restore my WhatsApp backup from Google Drive on a new phone?

Yes, simply use the same Google account and phone number when setting up WhatsApp on the new device, and it will prompt you to restore the backup.

Q7. What do I do if my WhatsApp restore is stuck?

Ensure a stable internet connection, check your device storage, and restart the restore process. Clearing cache and reinstalling WhatsApp may help.

Q8. How can I fix the “Unable to restore your chats from backup” error?

Check for mismatched accounts or phone numbers, ensure sufficient storage space, or update WhatsApp to the latest version.

Q9. Can I recover old WhatsApp chats after a factory reset?

If you have a backup on Google Drive or iCloud, you can restore the chats after reinstalling WhatsApp and logging into the same account.

Q10. How to restore WhatsApp from local backup?

Navigate to your WhatsApp databases folder, rename the most recent backup file to msgstore.db.crypt14, and reinstall WhatsApp to restore from local storage.

Q11. What is WhatsApp encrypted backup?

Encrypted backups use a 64-digit encryption key to protect your chat history. If you forget this key, you cannot restore the encrypted backup.

Q12. Why is WhatsApp not restoring from iCloud on iPhone?

This could be due to insufficient iCloud storage, iCloud settings being turned off, or a problem with your internet connection. Ensure iCloud is enabled and there is enough storage for the restore.

Q13. How do I know if my WhatsApp backup is encrypted?

If you’ve enabled two-step verification (2FA), your WhatsApp backup will be encrypted. You will need your 64-digit encryption key to restore these backups.

Q14. What to do if my WhatsApp backup is corrupted?

If a backup is corrupted, you may not be able to restore it. In such cases, check for any available local backup or consider using third-party recovery tools.

Q15. Can I transfer WhatsApp chat history from Android to iPhone?

Yes, WhatsApp recently introduced the ability to transfer chat history between Android and iPhone using the “Move to iOS” app or WhatsApp’s migration tools.

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