To restore your WhatsApp backup from Google Drive, follow these key steps:
- Prerequisites:
- Use the same phone number that was used to create the backup.
- Log into the same Google account where the backup is stored.
- Ensure your device has a stable Wi-Fi connection.
- Google Play Services must be installed and updated.
- Make sure there is enough free storage space on your device
- Restore Process:
- Uninstall WhatsApp from your device if already installed.
- Reinstall WhatsApp from the Google Play Store.
- Open WhatsApp and verify your phone number.
- When prompted, tap Restore to recover your chats and media from Google Drive.
- After restoration completes, tap Next to see your chats. Media files will continue restoring in the background
- Important Notes:
- You can only restore WhatsApp backup during the initial setup after installing the app. If you skip the restore prompt, you must uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp to trigger it again.
- WhatsApp only keeps the latest Google Drive backup. Older backups are overwritten or deleted after 5 months of inactivity and cannot be restored
* If you use a different phone number or Google account, the backup will not be found.
* An unstable internet connection or disabled Google Play Services can cause restore failures
- Checking Your Backup:
- You can verify your WhatsApp backup on Google Drive by logging into drive.google.com, clicking the gear icon > Settings > Managing Apps, and locating WhatsApp. However, the backup is encrypted and cannot be viewed directly
If you encounter issues such as "Cannot restore backup, please check network," ensure your network is stable and you are logged into the correct account. Third-party tools like DroidKit can sometimes help recover WhatsApp backups if the standard restore fails, but they may require additional steps and permissions
. In summary, restoring WhatsApp from Google Drive involves reinstalling WhatsApp, verifying your phone number, and choosing the restore option during setup, provided you meet all the requirements and the backup is current and accessible.
