If your WhatsApp is stuck on the “Restoring…” screen, it likely means there’s an issue restoring your chat history from your Google Drive or iCloud backup. Here are some common reasons why WhatsApp may get stuck restoring chats and how to fix it:
Corrupted Backup
One of the most common reasons for WhatsApp getting stuck on “Restoring…” is a corrupted backup. Both Google Drive and iCloud backups can become corrupted over time, preventing WhatsApp from properly restoring chats.
If the backup itself is corrupted, there is unfortunately no way for WhatsApp to successfully restore from it. You’ll need to delete the corrupted backup and start fresh with a new backup. Here’s how:
- On Android, open the Google Drive app, open the WhatsApp folder, and delete any backups inside.
- On iPhone, go to Settings > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups and delete the WhatsApp backup.
Once the backup is deleted, try restoring again in WhatsApp and it should work correctly.
Insufficient Storage Space
Another common roadblock when restoring chats is not having enough free storage space on your phone. Restoring chats from a backup can take up quite a bit of storage space.
Check that you have at least 500MB – 1GB of free space on your phone before trying to restore. If space is low, try the following:
- Delete large files like photos, videos, and downloads
- Uninstall unused apps
- Transfer photos to a computer or cloud storage
Freeing up storage space can allow the restore process to complete unhindered.
Network Connection Issues
Since chat backups are stored in the cloud, you need a stable internet connection when restoring them to your device. Connection drops or slow speeds can disrupt the restore process.
Try restoring your chats when connected to stable WiFi to rule out any network-related issues. Avoid public WiFi or mobile data, which tend to have slower and less consistent connectivity.
If you still face issues when on WiFi, try switching to a different WiFi network or move closer to your router if the signal is weak.
Incorrect Date & Time Settings
WhatsApp relies on correct date and time settings on your device to properly restore chats. If your date and time are inaccurate, it can prevent successful restore.
Go into your device settings and make sure the date and time are set correctly. Toggle “Set Automatically” on if available to sync the info from the network.
Restart your device after adjusting the date/time settings. This will allow WhatsApp to recalibrate and hopefully restore chats successfully.
App Permissions
To restore chat backups, WhatsApp needs access to your device storage and the cloud storage service (Google Drive or iCloud). If any required permissions are disabled, the restore process cannot complete.
On Android, open Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Permissions and enable all permissions. On iPhone, go to Settings > WhatsApp and enable iCloud backup/syncing permissions.
Check that WhatsApp is also allowed access to Photos, Media, and Files to fully access chat backups.
Force Stop WhatsApp
If WhatsApp gets stuck mid-restore, force stopping the app and clearing its cache/data can help reset it to a working state.
On Android, open Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Force Stop. Then clear the cache and data for WhatsApp before re-opening it.
On iPhone, swipe up and force close WhatsApp from the app switcher. Then reboot your iPhone before launching WhatsApp again.
Update the App
An outdated version of WhatsApp may have bugs or issues that prevent chat restore from completing properly. Ensure you’re running the latest version of WhatsApp on your device.
On Android, open the Play Store, go to WhatsApp and check for any available updates. On iPhone, open the App Store, go to Updates and install any pending WhatsApp updates.
Updating to the newest version can resolve various restore bugs and issues in older versions of the app.
Clear Chat History
As a last resort, you can clear the local WhatsApp chat history on your device and attempt the restore process again from scratch. This essentially resets WhatsApp to factory settings.
Note that this will delete all existing chats on the device, so only do this if absolutely needed. To clear chat history:
- On Android, open WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Clear All Chats.
- On iPhone, open WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Clear All Chats.
With the chat history wiped, try restoring your backup again. Hopefully clearing out old chats allows the process to complete uninterrupted.
Contact WhatsApp Support
If none of the above fixes resolve your chat restore issues, then the problem is likely on WhatsApp’s side. Reach out to their support team for additional troubleshooting:
- On Android, open WhatsApp > Settings > Help > Contact Us.
- On iPhone, open WhatsApp > Settings > Help > Contact Us.
WhatsApp support can investigate server-side and account specific issues that may be preventing restore. They may suggest additional steps not covered here.
Conclusion
Stuck chat restores on WhatsApp are frustrating, but usually fixable. Corrupted backups, low storage, network issues, incorrect date/time, outdated app versions, and chat history bugs are common culprits. Rule out each one systematically to get WhatsApp restoring chats again.
As a last option, reach out to WhatsApp support to resolve trickier device-specific or account issues. With patience and persistence, you’ll get your valuable chat history back.
| Common Restore Issues | Solutions |
|---|---|
| Corrupted Backup | Delete and recreate backup |
| Insufficient Storage Space | Free up storage space |
| Network Connection Issues | Connect to stable WiFi |
| Incorrect Date & Time Settings | Adjust date/time settings |
| App Permissions | Enable all required permissions |
| Outdated App Version | Update WhatsApp to latest version |
| Chat History Bugs | Clear local chat history |
| Other Issues | Contact WhatsApp support |
Restoring chats is a vital WhatsApp feature when setting up a new device or reinstalling the app. Follow the troubleshooting steps outlined here to get your chat history back on track if restore gets stuck. With the right fix, you’ll be messaging again in no time.
WhatsApp’s chat backup makes recovering from lost or damaged phones easier than ever. As long as backups are current, your entire message history can be restored with just a few taps. However, sometimes the restore process doesn’t go smoothly and gets stuck.
If your WhatsApp is frozen on the “Restoring…” screen, don’t panic. There are several ways to troubleshoot the issue and get your chats back. Here are the most common solutions to try if WhatsApp won’t restore chats:
Check Your Internet Connection
Restoring chats requires downloading your backup from the cloud. Make sure your phone is connected to a stable WiFi or mobile data connection. Try toggling Airplane mode on and off to reset the connection.
Move closer to your router if the WiFi signal is weak. Switching to a different WiFi network or using mobile data instead can help if your current connection is slow.
Free Up Storage Space
Your phone needs enough free storage space to download and restore your chat backup. Check your available space in Settings and clear up room if it’s low.
Remove unused apps, files, photos and videos. Offload large files to cloud storage or transfer them to a computer.
Force Close and Reopen WhatsApp
If WhatsApp is frozen mid-restore, force closing the app may get things moving again. On Android, open Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Force Stop. On iPhone, swipe up and remove WhatsApp from the app switcher.
After force closing, wait a few seconds then launch WhatsApp again. This essentially reboots the app and resets the restore process.
Update WhatsApp
Outdated versions of WhatsApp sometimes have bugs that can interfere with chat restore. Make sure WhatsApp is fully updated in your device’s app store.
Install any available updates for WhatsApp. This ensures you’re running the latest version with the most stable restore capabilities.
Unlink and Re-add Account
If your phone number changed recently, your account details may be out of sync. Log out of WhatsApp completely under Settings > Account.
Then re-verify your number and relink your account. This syncs your new device details with WhatsApp’s servers.
Contact WhatsApp Support
For issues persisting through the above steps, contact WhatsApp Support directly. They can further troubleshoot and identify any server-side problems.
Tap Settings > Help > Contact Us to get in touch with support staff. Be ready to provide details on when the issue started and troubleshooting already attempted.
Clear Chat History
As a last resort, clearing your local WhatsApp data may resolve persistent restore failures. Note this will erase all current WhatsApp chats on your device.
On Android go to Settings > Chats > Clear All Chats. On iPhone tap Settings > Chats > Clear All Chats. Then restart restore after clearing.
Why Does WhatsApp Get Stuck Restoring Chats?
There are a few common culprits behind WhatsApp getting stuck on the “Restoring…” screen:
- Poor internet connection
- Insufficient storage space
- Large or corrupted chat backup
- Outdated app version with bugs
- Sync issues between device and servers
- Chat history conflicts or inconsistencies
Isolating the exact cause requires testing the various troubleshooting steps outlined above. Persistent issues may require contacting WhatsApp Support for further help.
How to Avoid Restore Problems in the Future
While frustrating when they happen, some restore problems can be avoided in the future with a few best practices:
- Always backup chats regularly
- Store backups only for the retention period needed
- Maintain ample free storage space on your phone
- Keep WhatsApp version updated
- Sync your phone number accurately on new devices
- Use reliable WiFi for restoring chats
Following these tips will help ensure smooth chat restores down the road. Immediately troubleshoot any issues before they become bigger problems.
Restoring Chats After Reinstalling WhatsApp
One common reason for needing to restore chats is reinstalling WhatsApp after switching devices or performing a factory reset. Here is the typical process:
- Download and install latest WhatsApp version
- Enter your phone number when prompted
- Verify the number via SMS or call
- Accept Terms of Service
- On Android – Tap Restore when prompted, or go to Chats > More > Restore
- On iPhone – Tap Restore when prompted, or go to Settings > Chats > Restore
- Select the backup to restore from and wait for it to complete
If restore gets stuck at step 6 here, run through the troubleshooting tips above to resolve it. With a little patience, your chats should be restored successfully.
Best Practices for Chat Backups
To avoid future restore issues, it’s important to maintain healthy chat backups. Here are some best practices:
- Enable auto backups in WhatsApp Settings
- Connect to WiFi for optimal backup speed
- Back up chats frequently, at least weekly
- Delete old backups you no longer need
- Check backup status under Account > Backup
- Ensure backup service (iCloud/Google Drive) is enabled
Following these tips will ensure your WhatsApp chat history remains safely backed up and ready to restore when needed.
What to Do If Your Backup Is Lost
In some cases, a WhatsApp backup may become corrupted or deleted entirely. If this happens, all hope is not lost for your chat history:
- Stop using WhatsApp immediately to preserve existing chats on your phone.
- Use a data recovery app to rescue any remnants of the backup files from cloud storage.
- Try alternative backup locations like iTunes or computer backups.
- If you have another phone authorized with the same number, its backup likely contains your chats.
- Export chat histories of any important conversations via Email or other messengers.
While an erased backup is frustrating, taking quick action can help recover or extract chat data before it’s gone for good.
When to Restore from Google Drive vs iCloud
WhatsApp gives you backup options suited to your device ecosystem:
- Google Drive – Android users should restore chats from Google Drive, integrated natively with WhatsApp.
- iCloud – iPhone users should use iCloud to store and restore iOS WhatsApp backups.
Always pick Google Drive for Android phones, and iCloud for iPhones. This ensures maximum compatibility and stability during chat restores.
Conclusion
WhatsApp getting stuck on the “Restoring…” screen can certainly be annoying. But in most cases it can be resolved with patience and some systematic troubleshooting.
Check your internet connection, free up storage space, force close the app, update WhatsApp, and contact support if needed. With the right fix, your valuable chats and memories can be retrieved.
Prevent future restore headaches by backing up responsibly, updating WhatsApp, and maintaining good storage hygiene. Rest easy knowing your chats are safely secured.