WhatsApp Chat recorder backup allows users to save their WhatsApp chat history and media to their device storage or Google Drive. This enables users to restore their chats if they lose their phone or switch to a new device. Here are some common questions about WhatsApp backup:
What gets backed up in WhatsApp Chat recorder backup?
The following data is included in a WhatsApp backup:
- Chat history – All text messages, calls, photos, videos, voice messages, etc. sent and received in chats
- Media – Photos, videos, voice messages, documents shared over WhatsApp
- Contact names and numbers – Names and phone numbers of all WhatsApp contacts
Some things that are NOT backed up:
- Call history
- WhatsApp account settings like name, About section etc.
- Blocked contacts list
Where does WhatsApp store chat backups?
WhatsApp gives users two options for chat backups:
- Local Storage: Backups are saved to the phone’s internal storage or SD card. The backup file is usually located at sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases.
- Google Drive: Backups can also be saved to the user’s linked Google Drive account. This allows backups across multiple devices.
How does WhatsApp Chat recorder backup work?
WhatsApp uses an automated background process to regularly back up chats. Here is how it works:
- Backups happen automatically at set intervals – daily, weekly or monthly.
- Only when the phone is idle, charging and connected to WiFi will the backup occur.
- The latest chats, media files, contacts etc. are compressed into a single encrypted backup file.
- The file is saved to either local device storage or Google Drive based on user settings.
Users can also manually trigger a backup anytime from WhatsApp Settings.
How to enable WhatsApp Chat recorder backup?
Follow these steps to enable WhatsApp backups:
- Open WhatsApp > Tap on 3-dot menu > Settings
- Tap Chats > Chat backup
- Tap Back Up to Google Drive or Back Up to Local Storage
- Select backup frequency – daily, weekly or monthly
- Tap Account > Backup to enable Google Drive backup
That’s it! WhatsApp will now automatically backup your chats based on your selected frequency.
How to restore WhatsApp Chat recorder backup?
If you get a new phone, or want to restore lost chats, follow these steps to restore a WhatsApp backup:
- From Local Storage: Copy the backup file from your old phone’s storage to your new phone.
- From Google Drive: Link your Google account on the new phone to download backup.
- Install and open WhatsApp on the new device.
- Verify your phone number when prompted.
- On the Restore Chat History page, tap Restore to complete backup restore.
Your chats, media files, contacts from the backup will be restored on the device.
How to transfer WhatsApp Chat recorder backup from iPhone to Android?
To move your chat history from an iPhone to an Android phone:
- On your iPhone, backup chats to iCloud.
- On your Android phone, install WhatsApp and verify your number.
- Tap Restore when prompted and log in using same number as iPhone.
- Tap Import from iCloud Drive.
- Log in to your iCloud account to restore WhatsApp backup from iCloud.
What gets transferred in WhatsApp Chat recorder backup from iOS to Android?
The following data can be transferred from an iPhone WhatsApp backup to Android:
- Chat history and messages
- Media files – photos, videos, voice messages, documents
- Contacts names and numbers
The following items cannot be transferred from iPhone to Android:
- Call history
- Settings – name, about, profile photo etc.
- Starred messages
- Group descriptions
What is the maximum size limit for WhatsApp Chat recorder backup files?
Here are the WhatsApp backup size limits:
- For Local storage backups, maximum size is around 2 GB.
- For Google Drive backups, maximum size allowed is around 12 GB.
- If backup size exceeds the limit, oldest chats will get deleted to make space.
- For media, maximum of 10,000 photos and 4,100 videos can be backed up.
How to reduce the size of WhatsApp Chat recorder backup files?
If your backup size is too large, here are some tips to reduce it:
- Delete old chats you don’t need.
- Clear large media files – videos, voice messages etc.
- Enable lower backup frequency – weekly instead of daily.
- Turn off backup for large groups or broadcast lists.
- Export chats to PDF to save offline then delete from WhatsApp.
- Use Google Drive backup so storage is not limited.
Is WhatsApp Chat recorder backup encrypted?
Yes, WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption to secure all chat backups:
- Encryption key is generated from the phone number tied to the account.
- Media files are encrypted before being saved to the backup.
- Backup files are encrypted with AES-256 encryption.
- Encryption ensures only you can access the backup and read your chats.
WhatsApp cannot read or access your backed up chats since they do not have the encryption key.
Can I password protect WhatsApp Chat recorder backup files?
There is no direct way to password protect WhatsApp backups currently. However, you can enable encryption on Google Drive or local storage to add a layer of security:
- For Google Drive – enable backup encryption in Drive settings.
- For local storage – use phone encryption or SD card encryption.
- This will require a password/PIN to decrypt and access the backup file.
How long does WhatsApp store Chat recorder backups?
WhatsApp does not automatically delete or expire old backups. Backups are stored until:
- User manually deletes the backup file.
- Maximum file size limit is reached – oldest backups are deleted.
- User account is deleted along with linked Google Drive or iCloud account.
So backups can potentially be stored for many years or indefinitely. Users have to manually delete very old backups they don’t need.
Can I view and open WhatsApp Chat recorder backup files?
WhatsApp backup files are encrypted databases that cannot be directly viewed or opened as text files. However, there are a few options to view backup contents:
- Restore the backup – This displays all chats, media on WhatsApp.
- Use third-party apps like WhatsApp Viewer to read backups.
- Export chats – Forward chats via email or export to document files.
But this will only show limited previews. To fully access all backup data, it has to be restored.
What happens when I uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp?
When you uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp on the same phone, there are a few possibilities for your chat backup:
- If local backup exists – Chats are restored when you verify phone number.
- If Google Drive backup exists – You can restore from Drive after verifying number.
- If no backup – Your chat history will be lost and cannot be recovered.
So before uninstalling, ensure you have a recent backup to avoid losing chats.
Can I transfer WhatsApp Chat recorder backup from Android to iPhone?
There is no direct way to transfer a WhatsApp backup from Android to iPhone, but here are some options:
- Use a third-party app like iTransor to transfer WhatsApp data from Android to iPhone.
- Email chat history as attachment from Android and save on iPhone.
- Export chats as PDF on Android, then view PDF file on iPhone.
- Take screenshots of important chats on Android to view on iPhone.
Media files like photos, videos cannot be transferred directly in this case.
Is my WhatsApp Chat recorder backup saved when I switch mobile numbers?
Your existing WhatsApp backup is linked only to your old number. If you change your mobile number, here is what happens:
- Your chat history on the old number will be deleted.
- You cannot restore backup from old number on new number.
- You have to start fresh chats and backups on the new number.
To preserve your chat history when changing numbers, first export or email chats to save them.
Conclusion
WhatsApp Chat recorder backup provides an easy way to preserve your valuable chat history, media files and contacts. Remember to backup regularly before uninstalling WhatsApp or switching phones to avoid losing your chats. Also manage your backup size by deleting old chats and media you don’t need.