How to restore whatsapp backup from the pc 2025

​WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps globally, used by millions of people to keep in touch with friends, family, and colleagues. As a messaging platform, it allows users to share texts, images, videos, documents, and voice messages. The app also offers a feature that enables users to back up their chats and media files to cloud storage, like Google Drive for Android users and iCloud for iPhone users. 

1.WhatsApp Backup

WhatsApp backup is an essential feature that helps users preserve their valuable conversations and media files in case of device failure, loss, or upgrade. This backup can either be stored on cloud services (Google Drive for Android and iCloud for iPhone) or locally on the device. But in some cases, users prefer to store their WhatsApp backups on their PC for greater control, more storage space, or for convenience when switching to a new device.

What is WhatsApp Backup? WhatsApp backup is a way to store your messages, photos, videos, audio, and other data securely. On Android devices, it can be backed up to Google Drive, while iPhones use iCloud for the same purpose. Additionally, some third-party software solutions allow users to store backups directly on their PCs.

Why Backup WhatsApp Data to a PC?

Storage Capacity: Local storage is more expansive, and PCs typically offer more space than smartphones.

Security: Keeping a backup on your PC might provide an additional layer of security, reducing reliance on cloud storage.

Data Transfer: Restoring a backup from a PC can be faster and easier compared to cloud restoration, especially when the cloud service is slow.

2. WhatsApp Backup for Android Users

Android users typically back up their WhatsApp data to Google Drive. However, users can manually create a local backup to their device’s internal storage, which they can later transfer to a PC for safe keeping.

Why Android Users Backup WhatsApp to a PC

Android users prefer backing up WhatsApp data to a PC to save device storage, preserve important chats, or simply have more control over their data. This is especially useful if they have a large number of media files that consume significant cloud storage.

Step 1: Locate WhatsApp Backup on PC

To restore WhatsApp backup from your PC, you first need to locate where the backup files are stored. This can be done by using a file explorer on your PC and looking for the following directories:

Internal Storage or SD Card: If you have a local backup, the WhatsApp backup file should be located under WhatsApp/Databases or WhatsApp/Backup in the device’s storage. These files are usually in .crypt or .crypt12 format.

Step 2: Install WhatsApp on Your Android Device

If you haven’t already, you need to install the latest version of WhatsApp from the Google Play Store on your Android phone. Make sure that the WhatsApp version installed on your phone matches the one used to create the backup, as older or newer versions might not recognize the backup.

Step 3: Transfer Backup from PC to Android Device

Now, connect your Android device to your PC using a USB cable. Once connected, navigate to the directory where you’ve saved the WhatsApp backup file on your PC. Copy and paste this backup file into the appropriate WhatsApp folder on your Android device. The folder is usually located at /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases.

Step 4: Restore WhatsApp Backup

Once the backup file is transferred to your Android device, follow these steps:

Open WhatsApp and verify your phone number.

During the verification process, WhatsApp will detect the local backup stored on your device.

It will prompt you to restore the backup. Tap “Restore,” and your chats, including media files, will be recovered from the backup on your PC.

3. WhatsApp Backup for iPhone Users

Unlike Android users, iPhone users generally back up their WhatsApp data to iCloud. However, it’s also possible to back up WhatsApp data to a PC using iTunes or third-party tools.

Why iPhone Users Backup WhatsApp to a PC

iPhone users may prefer PC backups for added control, more storage space, or to ensure data safety in case their iCloud account is compromised.

Step 1: Locate WhatsApp Backup on PC

The WhatsApp backup for iPhone is typically stored in an iTunes backup folder, which can be located on your PC. To find this folder:

Open the “Finder” or “File Explorer” on your PC.

Navigate to the location where iTunes backups are stored:

Windows: C:\Users\[Your Name]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/

Alternatively, third-party software like iMazing can help you extract and locate WhatsApp backups.

Step 2: Install WhatsApp on Your iPhone

Ensure that WhatsApp is installed on your iPhone and that it’s up to date with the latest version.

Step 3: Transfer Backup from PC to iPhone

iPhone backups stored in iTunes cannot be directly transferred to WhatsApp. However, third-party tools such as iTunes Backup Extractor or iMazing can be used to restore WhatsApp backup data to your iPhone. These tools allow you to extract WhatsApp backup data from your PC and restore it directly to your iPhone.

Step 4: Restore WhatsApp Backup

After transferring the backup to your iPhone, you can restore your WhatsApp data through the third-party software. Follow the instructions provided by the software to recover your WhatsApp data.

4. Things to Keep in Mind When Restoring from PC

Compatibility and WhatsApp Versions

Ensure that both your phone and the WhatsApp version you used to create the backup are compatible. WhatsApp typically maintains backward compatibility, but you should check whether your backup is compatible with the current version of the app.

Ensuring Data Integrity

It’s important to verify that the backup file is not corrupted. If you encounter issues restoring the backup, it could be due to a corrupt file or an incomplete backup.

Using Third-Party Tools for Enhanced Backup

Panda Assistant is a versatile data recovery tool designed to help users recover lost, deleted, or corrupted files from various storage devices such as hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, and memory cards. With its user-friendly interface, it supports recovery of multiple file types, including documents, photos, videos, and more. The software offers advanced scanning options, including quick and deep scans, allowing users to recover files in a variety of situations, such as accidental deletion or system crashes. Panda Assistant also provides the ability to preview files before recovery, ensuring a more precise and efficient data restoration process.

5. Advanced Tips and Troubleshooting

What to Do if WhatsApp Doesn’t Recognize the Backup

If WhatsApp doesn’t detect your backup after restoring it to the phone, try these troubleshooting steps:

Ensure the backup is in the correct WhatsApp folder.

Reboot your phone and try restoring again.

Clear the app’s cache or reinstall WhatsApp.

Fixing Common Errors During Backup Restoration

Error messages like “No backup found” or “Restore failed” are common. This could be caused by incorrect backup formats, outdated WhatsApp versions, or storage issues. Ensure everything is up to date and retry the restoration.

How to Deal with Corrupt or Incomplete Backups

If the backup file is corrupted, there are a few options available:

Use backup repair tools to recover corrupted WhatsApp backups.

Restore from a different backup file if available.

Contact WhatsApp support if the issue persists.

6. Alternatives to PC Backup for WhatsApp

Using Cloud Backup for WhatsApp

Cloud services like Google Drive (Android) and iCloud (iPhone) are popular methods for backing up WhatsApp data. Cloud backups are automated, reliable, and allow easy restoration, even from a new phone.

Hybrid Backup Strategies: Cloud + PC

For the most comprehensive backup solution, users can combine both cloud and PC backups. This way, you get the convenience of cloud backups with the added security and control of having a physical copy on your computer.

Restoring a WhatsApp backup from a PC is a reliable way to recover your chats and media, especially if cloud storage isn’t an option or if you prefer local backups. While the process differs slightly between Android and iPhone users, the key steps—locating the backup, transferring it to the phone, and restoring the data remain relatively straightforward.

​