With different platforms and digital solutions, it has become effortless for people to communicate with their friends instantly. WhatsApp, in particular, is widely used as a primary source.
However, what happens if you change your phone or lose specific messages that are very important? Restoring WhatsApp from local backup is one way to go.
There are several usable methods available to restore WhatsApp backups from internal storage. This post discusses the detailed processes of all the convenient methods available. Let's dive in!
Method 1: Restore WhatsApp Backup from Internal Storage
If you back up your WhatsApp to your internal phone storage on Android, then it only takes a few taps to restore your local back. Let's find out how.
How to do this?
Step 1: Download and install the File Manager app.
Step 2: Access the app and go to the SD card or Local Storage.
Step 3: In the next window, choose WhatsApp and click on Databases. Suppose the data is saved on the SD card. Then, you should copy the recently created backup file into the Database folder of your internal storage on the new device.
Step 4: Install the WhatsApp application and complete the phone number verification steps.
Step 5: When the prompt comes to restore all media and chats from the local backup, click on the Restore button.
Method 2: Restore WhatsApp Local Backup by Uninstalling WhatsApp
Whatsapp users get two ways to save their data, Google Drive Backup and Local Backup. By default, WhatsApp lets you restore backup from Google Drive. If you have both backups, this part is for you to restore files from the Local Backup.
How to do this?
Step 1: Reinstall the WhatsApp application on your phone and launch it. Then, click on the Agree & Continue button. And do not go any further.
Step 2: Remove your Google account on your Android smartphone. You can add it later.
Step 3: Go to the Settings option and click on Apps. Tap on Manage Apps > WhatsApp > Enable all App permissions.
Step 4: Following this, you have to visit the File Manager app on your device. Go to WhatsApp > Databases, delete all files except the one you need to restore and rename it 'msgstore.db.crypt14'.
Note: it could be crypt14 or crypt15, depending on your WhatsApp version.
Step 5: Open WhatsApp again and verify your Phone Number and OTP. Press the Restore button.
Method 3: Restore WhatsApp Backup from Local Storage (Without Google Drive)
If you tried to restore your local backup but failed and do not have Google Drive Backup, you can try this method provided by a user from the xda forum, and I hope it will help.
How to do this?
Step 1: Click on the Settings menu and tap on Chats. Then, from the following drop-down menu, choose Chat Backup. Next, choose the Backup to Google Drive option with the Only when you tap the backup button.
Step 2: Disable your WiFi connection and Mobile Data.
Step 3: Tap on the Back-Up button in WhatsApp. When the backup uploads into Google Drive, instantly switch your phone to Aeroplane mode.
Step 4: Press your device's Home button.
Step 5: Next, go to the File Explorer app on your phone and copy the database file, i.e., .crypt14. Then, follow the route of /storage/emulated/0/Android/media/com.whatsapp/Whatsapp/Database and paste it there. Following that, rename the file as "msgstore.db.crpypt14".
Step 6: Turn on Mobile data and WiFi connection. The app will upload your local backup file to Google Drive.
Step 7: Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp. Then, choose to restore from Google Drive backup, which is actually your local backup file.
Method 4: Restore WhatsApp Chats from an Old Local Backup
Another way you can try out is recovering WhatsApp chats from the old local backup. It can be completed by transferring the files to the phone using a computer, SD card, or file explorer.
How to do this?
Step 1: Download and open File Manager.
Step 2: Go to the File Manager's Local Storage/SD card section and choose Whatsapp > Database.
Step 3: Find your backup file msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt12 and change its name to msgstore.db.crypt12. The previous backup may happen in the older protocol like crypt10 or crypt9. In either case, avoid changing the crypt extension number.
Step 4: Uninstall the WhatsApp app and reinstall it.
Step 5: When the prompt comes up, click on Restore.
Bonus: Restore WhatsApp to a Computer Using MobileTrans
1. What is MobileTarns
After going through the top four methods to restore local backup WhatsApp, all you need is a bonus tip – MobileTrans, which lets you create WhatsApp backups to a computer for free. Let us know in detail about this software.
Wondershare MobileTrans is the best secure phone-to-phone transfer solution users can try to transfer, backup, and restore data. It works smoothly on Mac and Windows computers. The best part about MobileTrans is that it can create WhatsApp backup on the computer for free to free up your internal storage. Some of the top features of MobileTrans making it a perfect tool for you are:
MobileTrans - Phone Transfer & Backup
- • Transfer both small and huge data sizes from Android to iPhone or vice versa fast without lagging.
- • Supported on both Mac and Windows computers and can be used to manage data in over 6000 types of mobile devices.
- • It doesn't compromise existing data on a device during data transfer, backup, or restoration.
- • Transfer different types of app data including WhatsApp data, Viber data, Photos, Videos, and lots more.
4.5/5 ExcellentFollow the steps below to backup WhatsApp to a computer using MobileTrans:
- Connect your phone to your computer with a cable and launch MobileTrans.
- Go to the Backup & Restore module and click on Backup under App Backup & Restore.
- Choose to backup your WhatsApp data and click Start to begin.
- The backup process will complete in a few minutes.
2. Comparison: Manual Methods vs. MobileTrans
| Difficulty Level | Time Required | Works Without Google Drive? | Best For | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage Restore | Moderate | 5-10 min | Yes | Users with recent local backups |
| Uninstall & Restore | Moderate | 10-15 min | Yes | Users with both Google Drive & local backups |
| Manual Restore (Without Google Drive) | Hard | 20-30 min | Yes | Users who prefer manual recovery |
| Old Local Backup Restore | Hard | 20-30 min | Yes | Users wanting older messages |
| MobileTrans Restore | Easy | 5 min | Yes | Best for hassle-free recovery |
Troubleshooting: Common WhatsApp Restore Issues & Fixes
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| WhatsApp says "No backup found" | Ensure the backup file is in WhatsApp > Databases and named correctly. |
| Restore option doesn’t appear | Uninstall WhatsApp, disable Google Drive backup, and retry. |
| Backup file is corrupted | Try using an older backup file from the Databases folder. |
| WhatsApp isn’t detecting the backup | Move the .crypt14 file to Internal Storage > Android > media > com.whatsapp > WhatsApp > Databases. |
FAQs
1. Is it possible to recover deleted WhatsApp conversations from a local backup?
Yes, it is possible to recover deleted WhatsApp conversations from a local backup. WhatsApp automatically creates backups of your chats and media, which are usually stored on your device's internal storage or an external SD card. To restore deleted conversations from a local backup, you can uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp, and during the setup process, you'll be prompted to restore from the local backup. Keep in mind that this process will replace your current WhatsApp data with the data from the backup, so any messages received after the backup was created will be lost.
2. Where can I find my WhatsApp backup in the internal storage?
You can find your WhatsApp backup in the local storage by accessing the File Manager. Navigate to Device Storage or SD Card > WhatsApp > Databases, where you will locate all the previously saved backup files.
3. Does restoring WhatsApp bring back deleted messages?
Yes, restoring WhatsApp from a backup can bring back deleted messages. When you restore WhatsApp from a backup, it replaces the current data with the data from the backup, including any messages that were deleted after the backup was created. This means that the messages that were present at the time of the backup will be restored, but any messages received after that point will be lost unless there's a more recent backup available.
Final Thoughts
Restoring WhatsApp chats from a local backup is easy when you know the right method. Whether you choose a manual restore or the one-click MobileTrans solution, this guide provides all the steps you need.
🔥Pro Tip: Want a stress-free WhatsApp backup & restore solution? Try MobileTrans for free today!
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Axel Nash
staff Editor