How to Restore WhatsApp Backup from Google Drive [Ultimate Guide]

Where WhatsApp Backup is Stored in Google Drive

Understanding the Google Drive WhatsApp backup location is essential to ensure your data is safe and ready for restoration. Unlike your regular files, WhatsApp backups are stored in a hidden section of Google Drive. You won’t be able to see your messages or media, but you can verify that a backup is indeed present.

Before you dive in, make sure you’re logged into the same Google account that’s linked to your WhatsApp. And just a heads up—WhatsApp only keeps the latest backup, so any older ones will be automatically replaced.

This guide will teach you how to access WhatsApp backup on Google Drive:

Step 1. Visit drive.google.com and sign in with the Google account linked to your WhatsApp.

Step 2. Click the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner and select "Settings" > "Manage Apps".

Step 3. Scroll down to WhatsApp Messenger to see if your backup is stored as hidden app data.

Get Ready Before Importing WhatsApp Chat from Google Drive

Before you dive into restoring your WhatsApp backup from Google Drive, there are a few key things you should double-check. Ensuring these details are sorted out can help you steer clear of any restore hiccups and potential data loss.

✅ Use the Same Google Account

Your WhatsApp backup links to the Google account used for backup. If you sign in with a different account, the backup won’t appear. Always use the correct Google account.

✅ Use the Same Phone Number

WhatsApp associates backups with the phone number used during backup. Restoring with a different number will fail. Confirm your device has the original phone number.

✅ Check Available Storage Space

Restoring a backup requires enough free space to hold all chats, photos, and videos. Without enough space, the restore can stop or fail.

✅ Make Sure Your Internet Connection Is Stable

A reliable internet connection helps download the backup without interruptions. Slow or unstable connections cause errors or delays during restore.

How to Restore WhatsApp Data from Google Drive on Android and iPhone

Now that you’ve confirmed your WhatsApp backup is ready, it’s time to restore your data. In the following sections, we’ll explain how to restore WhatsApp data from Google Drive on both platforms, step by step.

Recover WhatsApp Chat from Google Drive on Android

Restoring your WhatsApp chat from Google Drive on an Android device is typically a breeze. Just make sure you're using the same Google account and phone number that you had when you created the backup.

Unlike iPhones, Android devices connect directly to Google Drive, so you won’t need any extra tools or apps. As long as your backup is still there and your account details are correct, you can get your WhatsApp data back in just a few easy steps.

Here is how to take a WhatsApp backup from Google Drive on Android:

Step 1. Uninstall WhatsApp from your Android device, then reinstall it from the Google Play Store.

Step 2. Open WhatsApp and verify your phone number.

Step 3. When prompted, tap Restore to recover your chats and media from Google Drive.

Step 4. After the restoration completes, tap Next to finish the setup.

Restore WhatsApp Chat from Google Drive on iPhone

Unlike Android, iPhone does not support the direct restoration of WhatsApp backups from Google Drive. This is because iOS uses iCloud for backups, while Android uses Google Drive. If your backup is stored in Google Drive and you switch to an iPhone, you can’t restore it directly through the WhatsApp app.

The basic idea is to restore the backup to an Android device in the first step. Once the data is on Android, you can use any transfer tool to move the chats from Android to iPhone. This method helps bridge the gap between the two platforms.

First of all, you need to retrieve WhatsApp backup from Google Drive on Android, just as we mentioned in the previous part:

• 1. Reinstall WhatsApp and verify the same phone number used for the backup.
• 2. When prompted, tap Restore to retrieve your chats from Google Drive.

After restoring your WhatsApp backup on Android, follow these steps to transfer chats to your iPhone:

Step 1. Open WhatsApp on your Android phone. Tap the three-dot menu icon in the upper-right corner to open the menu, then select Settings.

Step 2. In the Settings menu, tap Chats, then choose Chat History. From there, select Export Chat to begin exporting your conversations.

Step 3. Pick the chat conversation you want to transfer. You can export individual chats one at a time.

Step 4. When the sharing options appear, select the Gmail icon. This will open a new email draft with the chat file attached. Enter your email address and send it.

As the whole process of restoring WhatsApp backup from Google Drive to an iPhone is too complicated, it's recommended to transfer WhatsApp chats directly from Android to iPhone without using Google Drive.

Troubleshoot Common Issues When Restoring WhatsApp Backup

Sometimes, there might be some problems that stop you from restoring the WhatsApp backups successfully. Here are some typical issues you might encounter and how to resolve them:

1️⃣. Backup Not Found

Make sure you are signed in to the correct Google or iCloud account linked to your WhatsApp. Also, confirm you use the same phone number as in the backup.

2️⃣. Insufficient Storage

Check your device’s available storage. Lack of space can prevent the backup from restoring fully. Clear unnecessary files or apps if needed.

3️⃣. Slow or Stuck Restoration

A poor internet connection can cause delays. Connect to a strong Wi-Fi network and try again. Restart your phone if the process gets stuck.

4️⃣. Incompatible Backup

Backups from Android (Google Drive) cannot be restored directly on iPhone (iCloud) and vice versa. Use a trusted transfer tool for cross-platform migration.

With these methods, you can fix most restore problems and quickly recover your WhatsApp data.

Bonus Tip: How to Save More WhatsApp Backups in Google Drive

If you frequently back up your WhatsApp data, you might find that Google Drive’s free 15GB storage fills up quickly. Running out of space can prevent new backups and cause restore issues. To avoid this, consider expanding your cloud storage easily with CBackup.

CBackup offers a Combine Cloud feature that lets you merge multiple cloud storage accounts—including Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive—into one larger virtual drive. This way, you can boost your total storage space without paying for expensive upgrades. Plus, CBackup supports automatic backups, cloud-to-cloud sync, and secure data management, making it a great tool to protect your WhatsApp backups and other files.

Follow the steps to get more storage space to store WhatsApp backups:

Step 1. Download and install CBackup, then create and log in to your account.

Step 2. Add your cloud accounts (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, etc.) by authorizing access in the Storage section.

Step 3. Select “Add Combined Cloud”, choose the cloud accounts you want to merge, and click Combine.

Step 4. Use the combined cloud as a single large storage space for backups and file management.

FAQs About the Recovery of WhatsApp Chat from Google Drive

Now that you’ve learned the different methods to restore WhatsApp backups from Google Drive, you may still have some questions about the process. In the section below, we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions to help you avoid common issues and ensure a smooth recovery of your WhatsApp chat history.

1. How to Find WhatsApp Backup on Google Drive on a Laptop

To find your WhatsApp backup on Google Drive using a laptop, follow these steps:

• 1. Go to Google Drive: Open your browser and visit drive.google.com.
• 2. Access Backup Settings: Click the gear icon (⚙) in the top-right corner, then choose "Settings".
• 3. Select “Manage Apps” or “Backups”: In the left sidebar, click "Manage Apps" or "View items taking up storage", then choose "Backups".
• 4. Find WhatsApp Backup: Look for “WhatsApp” under the backup list. It won’t appear as a normal file but will be listed under the backup section.

📝 Note: You must be logged into the same Google account used to create the backup. WhatsApp backups are hidden and cannot be downloaded or opened directly.

2. How to Access WhatsApp Backup on Google Drive on iPhone

To access your WhatsApp backup on Google Drive from an iPhone, follow these steps:

• 1. Use a Browser: Open Safari or any browser on your iPhone and go to drive.google.com.
• 2. Switch to Desktop Mode: Tap the "aA" icon in the address bar and choose "Request Desktop Site" for full access.
• 3. Sign in to Google Account: Log in with the same Google account linked to your WhatsApp backup.
• 4. Go to Backups: Tap the menu icon (☰), then choose "Backups" to view your stored WhatsApp backup.

📝 Note: You can view the backup info, but you can’t restore it directly to your iPhone from Google Drive. WhatsApp for iOS uses iCloud for backups, so restoring from Google Drive requires an Android device first.

3. How to See WhatsApp Backup in Google Drive on PC

If you’re using a PC and want to check whether your WhatsApp backup exists in Google Drive, here’s what to do:

• 1. First, go to https://drive.google.com/drive/backups and log in to your Google account.
• 2. This will take you directly to the Backups section, where all app and device backups are stored.
• 3. Look for a backup labeled “WhatsApp” – it may be linked to your phone number.
• 4. Keep in mind that these backups are not stored as normal files and can't be opened or downloaded.

This view only confirms that the backup exists and shows the last backup date and device type.

4. How to Restore WhatsApp Data from Local Backup

To restore WhatsApp data from a local backup, follow these steps carefully:

🗂️ What You Need to Know First:

• Local backups are saved on your phone’s internal storage or SD card.
• WhatsApp only keeps the last 7 days of local backups.
• This method works only on Android, not iPhone.

✅ Steps to Restore from Local Backup:

Step 1. Open your File Manager and go to Internal Storage > WhatsApp > Databases.

Step 2. Rename the desired backup file (e.g., msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt14) to msgstore.db.crypt14.

Step 3. Uninstall WhatsApp, then reinstall it from the Google Play Store.

Step 4. Open WhatsApp, verify your number, and tap “Restore” to recover your chats.

5. Where do I Find WhatsApp Backup on Google Drive

To find your WhatsApp backup on Google Drive, follow these simple steps:

Step 1. Visit drive.google.com and sign in with the Google account linked to your WhatsApp.

Step 2. Click the gear icon in the top-right corner and select "Settings".

Step 3. In the left sidebar, click "Manage Apps", then scroll to find WhatsApp listed.

Step 4. Alternatively, go to drive.google.com/drive/backups to see all backups, including WhatsApp.