Tutorial on WhatsApp Local Backup: Where It Is and How to Take It

Charlotte Smith
2023-10-11
Home > Resources > WhatsApp > Tutorial on WhatsApp Local Backup: Where It Is and How to Take It

Summary

With an active user base of over 2 billion, WhatsApp is touted as one of the most popular instant messaging applications globally. Many chats and essential messages are sent and received on this app daily. So, it is natural for users to want a backup plan in case things go awry. It is better to be prepared for any mishaps that may arise. An easier and quicker way to back up WhatsApp on the phone's storage is through a WhatsApp local backup.

To perform a local backup on WhatsApp, you need to activate the backup process from the app itself. Read on to learn how to take WhatsApp local backup without a hassle.

whatsapp local backup

Part 1: What Is Local Backup in WhatsApp?

The in-built WhatsApp backup feature enables WhatsApp to back up all chats and saves them with encryption to the phone memory every day at 2:00. Still, you can decide to take a local backup in the WhatsApp manual if you don't want the automated way. After creating WhatsApp local backup, it gets stored on your smartphone.

See more: Swiftly Recover 1-Year Old WhatsApp Messages without Backup

Part 2: Where Is the WhatsApp Local Backup Location?

Any local backup you create on your WhatsApp is stored in the device's internal storage, including an SD card if your phone has one. To access these files, you should use the File Manager app, an in-built app available on Android. If you have made a backup, all your files will be easily accessible.

Here's how to access the location of WhatsApp local backup:

Step 1: Launch the File Manager app on the Android phone and head to "Internal Storage" of your device or choose "External Storage".

Step 2: Locate the "WhatsApp" folder, then click on "Databases".

Step 3: From the "Database" section, you will see your WhatsApp local backup data you made, but they are always encrypted. Your earlier local backups are in msgstore-YYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt12 file format. On the other hand, the recently made local backup doesn't add the Date on the name of the file.

find whatsapp local backup

Read also: How can you back up your WhatsApp chats from an iPhone to a PC? Here are 4 useful methods for your reference.

Part 3: How to Take WhatsApp Local Backup

WhatsApp is an amazing social application that has become integral. Most of us can't do without it as it takes our communication to another whole new level. As for data safety, WhatsApp allows us to create a local backup of the chats and store them on Google Drive and local storage on our devices. While saving the local backups, WhatApp ensures the file is encrypted. With a backup, you can restore it on the same device used to take the backup or another device as long as you can access the backup file.

WhatsApp is automated to take a backup on your local storage every day at 2 AM when the mobile phone isn't in high usage. This means that WhatsApp automatically saves the local backup on your phone's memory every night. However, it only keeps the backup of the previous 7 days and automatically deletes any older backup file.

Creat local backup of WhatsApp on Android:

Step 1: Launch WhatsApp, then click on the 3-dot icon at the upper right corner.

Step 2: Choose "Settings" from the options in the menu.

Step 3: Head to "Chats" and "Chat Backup".

Step 4: Now click on the option for "BACK UP to create a WhatsApp backup on your phone. At the same time, the backup data will also be synced to your account of Google Drive.

take whatsapp local backup on android phone

Tips: You can also create a local WhatsApp backup and save it only on your phone's storage and not Google Drive, as long as you choose the "Never" option of the backup frequency.

Part 4: How to Make WhatsApp Local Backup on Computer

Taking WhatsApp local backup is an easier procedure. In fact, the backup process is automated and scheduled at a particular time. Moreover, if you don't want the automatic way, you can directly save the file to your phone's internal memory. Despite WhatsApp's effort to try and make the local backup process painless, it comes with downsides. For instance, your smartphones may have limited space, phones can get lost easily.

Therefore, you can transfer your WhatsApp data to your computer for backup with this effective software - WhatsApp Data Recovery. With it, you can view your backup chats on your PC anytime. It will keep your data in original quality.

Key features of this WhatsApp backup software:

- Back up all WhatsApp files from Android to the computer directly, including WhatsApp messages and attachments.

- Quickly extract and display WhatsApp backup files.

- Keep your WhatsApp chat history safe without losing any data.

- View and access the chat history on the computer.

- Recover WhatsApp files from a backup in HTML and CSV formats.

Download the WhatsApp backup tool.

download win version of whatsapp backup software

Below are steps to back up WhatsApp to a local folder on a computer:

Step 1: Install the app on the computer and run it. On the primary interface, select "WhatsApp Recovery". Plug in your phone to your PC using USB, choose the device, and hit "Next". Make sure USB Debugging is enabled for a connection.

back up whatsapp to a local folder on computer

Step 2: The tool will start scanning the WhatsApp data. You need to enable end-to-end encryption on the phone by following the on-screen instructions. Now you will get a 64-bit key on your phone. Then the software will read and enter it into blank space. Click the "Confirm" icon to proceed.

confirm the key to go on

Step 3: After scanning, click "View It", and all WhatsApp files will appear on the screen in "WhatsApp" & "WhatsApp Attachments". Click "WhatsApp" and choose the chats you wish to transfer. Next, hit "WhatsApp Attachments", choose the media files, and tap the "Recover to Computer" button to save your WhatsApp files to your PC.

take whatsapp local backup on pc

Guess you like: Is there a way to restore WhatsApp backup data from Google Drive to an iPhone? Yes, there is. Open this guide to get the solutions.

Extra: How to Retrieve WhatsApp Local Backup

You can restore your WhatsApp local backup file to your phone after you reinstall the WhatsApp app. But please ensure that there is a backup file on your phone, or you cannot restore any data. Here's how:

Step 1: Install and then launch WhatsApp and verify your phone number.

Step 3: Click "RESTORE" when asked to initiate the restoration process of chats.

Step 4: Tap the "Next" button after the restoring procedure finishes, and all your chats will appear.

restore whatsapp from local backup

However, be notified that the Android only keeps the backup file of the past 7 days.

Conclusion

Performing WhatsApp local backup is a simple process. We have shared various methods in this guide to help you back up your WhatsApp chats to your phone's internal storage. Plus, you can back up your WhatsApp data to your computer with WhatsApp Data Recovery. This software can save WhatsApp files to a local folder on a PC offline. So, if WhatsApp is your preferred social media, use these tricks to back up your chats.

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Charlotte Smith Senior Editor

Charlotte Smith, an accomplished editor in the dynamic landscape of mobile technology, has distinguished herself with her abundant experience and skills for iPhone, OnePlus, Sony, Vivo, Motorola, ZTE, Huawei, etc. Help readers and users solve the problems in iPhone Transfer and Mobile Data Management. Her proficiency extends beyond mere functionality, delving into the nuances of each brand with precision and clarity.