WhatsApp Unable to Backup Messages? Fix It Now!

WhatsApp is a popular communication platform around the world so it records lots of important chats and memories. Regular backup becomes necessary for every WhatsApp user. However, some users said that they were unable to backup messages on WhatsApp, which resulted in data loss. Do you have the same issues on your WhatsApp? If so, try to find your solutions or alternatives in this post.

In this article, we will list the possible causes of WhatsApp backup failure, help you find the solution on how to fix WhatsApp unable to backup messages, and even bring the best alternatives to backup WhatsApp chats.

Part 1. Why am I Unable to Backup WhatsApp Messages?

If you're unable to back up your WhatsApp messages, the issue could be related to a variety of factors. Here are the most common causes.

• Insufficient Cloud Storage: Your iCloud (iOS) or Google Drive (Android) might not have enough free space to store the backup.
• Lack of Device Storage: Your phone doesn’t have enough space to create a local backup before uploading to the cloud.
• Poor Internet Connection: A slow or unstable Wi-Fi/mobile data connection can prevent the backup from completing.
• Outdated WhatsApp Version: Older versions of WhatsApp may not support the latest backup processes.
• iCloud/Google Drive Issues: Your iCloud or Google account might not be properly linked to WhatsApp or is experiencing service interruptions.
• App Permissions: WhatsApp might lack the necessary permissions to access storage or your cloud account.
• Background App Restrictions: Battery optimization or system restrictions might be stopping WhatsApp from running the backup process in the background.

Part 2. How to Fix WhatsApp Unable to Backup Messages

Once you find that your WhatsApp cannot backup messages, you can try to fix it using some common solutions.

Fix 1. Free Up Cloud Storage

If your cloud storage is full, the upload will fail instantly. Remember, this storage is shared with many other services. On Android, your free 15GB Google Account storage is shared with Gmail and Google Photos. On iPhone, your free 5GB iCloud storage is shared with your entire device backup, iCloud Photos, and other apps.

iCloud (iOS):

Step 1. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and check storage.

Step 2. Delete old backups from iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups.

Step 3. Upgrade iCloud storage if needed via iCloud > Manage Storage > Change Storage Plan.

Google Drive (Android):

Step 1. Open the Google Drive app and check storage under Menu > Storage.

Step 2. Remove unnecessary files from Google Drive.

Step 3. Purchase additional storage if required.

Fix 2. Free up Device Space

This is a critical step that many people overlook. Before WhatsApp can upload your backup to the cloud, it must first create that backup file locally on your phone's internal storage. If your phone's storage is full, this "preparation" phase will fail. As a rule of thumb, you should have at least 2 to 2.5 times the size of your backup available as free space on your phone.

Step 1. Check available space: Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage (iOS); Go to Settings > Storage (Android).

Step 2. Delete unused apps, photos, or videos to free up space. If allowed, you can clear WhatsApp cache.

Fix 3. Re-link Cloud Account

Your backup will fail if WhatsApp isn't logged into the correct cloud account or doesn't have the right permissions. This can happen if you've recently changed your password or are logged into multiple accounts on your device. On Android, the backup is tied to the specific Google Account you select within WhatsApp, which must be the active account on your phone. On iPhone, it's tied to the primary Apple ID logged into iCloud.

For iOS users:

Step 1. Go to Settings > WhatsApp > Chats > Chat Backup.

Step 2. Ensure iCloud is turned on for WhatsApp in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Apps Using iCloud.

For Android users:

Step 1. Open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.

Step 2. Tap Google Account and ensure it’s linked.

Fix 4. Check App Permission

This is a key check. If WhatsApp doesn't have permission from your phone's operating system to access storage (Android) or iCloud (iPhone), the backup will be blocked before it can even start. This can happen if you accidentally denied a permission request in the past.

For iOS Users, you just need to go to Settings > WhatsApp and enable Photos and Background App Refresh to open the permission for WhatsApp.

For Android users, go to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Permissions, and allow access to Storage, Contacts, and Files.

Fix 5. Disable Background App Restrictions

This is a major hidden culprit. To save battery and data, modern phones "put apps to sleep" or stop them from running in the background. A WhatsApp backup is a long-running background task. If the OS kills the app to save power, the backup will fail the moment you lock your phone or switch to another app.

If your phone is an iPhone, you can ensure that Background App Refresh is enabled in Settings > General > Background App Refresh.

If your phone is an Android phone, you can go to Settings > Battery > Battery Usage and disable restrictions for WhatsApp.

Part 3. Alternatives to Backup Messages on WhatsApp [iPhone/Android/PC]

In addition to the WhatsApp built-in backup, you can use other alternative methods to get your WhatsApp message backup. You can use these alternatives when you find your WhatsApp unable to backup messages.

Alternative 1. Via TunesKit WhatsApp Transfer [One-click Backup]

TunesKit WhatsApp Transfer is a one-click tool for transferring WhatsApp data across iOS devices and backing up all of your info in a single click. In this software, you don’t have to take care of the space storage of your device. You can save the backups forever on your PC.

How to get WhatsApp message backup via TunesKit WhatsApp Transfer

Step 1 Link iPhone to your PC

Download and install the one-click tool on your computer. Launch it with your account. Make the connection between your iPhone and your PC with a USB cable.

Step 2 Get WhatsApp backup

Open the software and then click the Backup icon on the homepage. Check the name of your iPhone which means the connection is successful. Click the Start Backup button to start the backup process. Wait for the process end.

Step 3 Save and Locate the backup file

The backup will be saved in the Export part and Restore part. If you want to save it to your computer folder, you can go to the Export part and find the backup. Click the backup line and then click the Export to Computer button. On this export page, you can change the Export Path of your backup.

If the goal you back up WhatsApp is to transfer WhatsApp data from one device to another, you can directly use the Transfer feature in TunesKit WhatsApp Transfer.

Alternative 2. Via Email [iPhone/Android]

If the main cloud backup feature is completely broken, and you just want to save a few of your most important conversations, you can use the "Export Chat" feature. This method does not create a restorable backup. It saves a copy of a single conversation as a .txt file (and optionally, its media files). You cannot import this file back into WhatsApp to restore your chat history. This is for archival and reference purposes only.

For iPhone

Step 1. Find the chat that you want to backup on your WhatsApp and then open the chat screen.

Step 2. Tap on the name of this contact/group at the top of the screen to enter Contact Info page.

Step 3. Tap on the Export Chat > Attach Media or Without Media.

Step 4. Select the Email app to send the chat to your email address.

For Android

Step 1. Locate the chat you want to backup and enter the conversation page.

Step 2. Tap on the three-dot icon at the top right of the chat.

Step 3. Select More > Export chat > Include media or Without media from the pop-ups.

Step 4. Select email app and enter your email address to back up this chat to your email.

Part 4. FAQs About about WhatsApp Unable to Backup Messages

Conclusion

It is common if you encounter the issue of WhatsApp unable to backup messages. The first thing you can do is to try to fix it. The fixes like free up cloud and phone storage can solve it most of the time. If not, you can try to connect to WhatsApp customer service or use backup alternatives like TunesKit WhatsApp Transfer that allows you to backup WhatsApp messages in one click without any storage limitation.