To make a WhatsApp backup on iPhone, open WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup and tap Back Up Now. It saves to iCloud, so you need iCloud Drive turned on and enough free space; if iCloud is full, back up to a computer instead.
Back up WhatsApp to iCloud
- Check iCloud Drive is on: iPhone Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Drive, and make sure WhatsApp is switched on in the list of apps using iCloud.
- In WhatsApp, tap Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
- Tap Back Up Now. Keep the app open on Wi-Fi until it finishes.
- Set Auto Backup to Daily or Weekly so you never have to remember.
- Leave Include Videos off if space is tight; videos make backups much bigger.
You can also turn on End-to-end Encrypted Backup on the same screen. Write the password or 64-digit key somewhere safe: if you lose it, WhatsApp can’t restore your chats.
This is separate from the iPhone’s own backup; for that, see how to back up an iPhone to iCloud.
When iCloud is full
WhatsApp needs free space in iCloud and on the iPhone of at least 2.05 times the size of the backup. So a 3 GB backup needs a little over 6 GB free in both places. Every Apple account gets only 5 GB free, shared with photos and phone backups.
Ways to make room:
- Turn off Include Videos and back up again.
- Clear big chats: Settings > Storage and Data > Manage Storage shows the largest chats and files. Delete forwarded videos and old voice notes.
- Free iCloud space under iPhone Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Manage Account Storage, for example by deleting old phone backups.
- Upgrade to iCloud+, from US$0.99 a month for 50 GB, billed to a card that works for international payments.
Back up on Wi-Fi, not your bundle.
Back up without iCloud
- Computer backup: a full iPhone backup to a Windows PC or Mac includes WhatsApp’s data, at no monthly cost. Steps are in backing up an iPhone to a computer.
- Moving to a new iPhone: you don’t need a backup at all. On the old phone, go to WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Transfer Chats, then scan the QR code with the new phone while both are on the same Wi-Fi. More in moving WhatsApp to a new phone.
- Export one chat: tap the contact’s name > Export Chat. It’s a readable copy that can’t be restored into WhatsApp.
Google Drive isn’t an option on iPhone. WhatsApp’s Google Drive backup only works on Android phones.
Check and find your backup
Go to WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup. The Last Backup line shows the date, time and size. If it’s old, check Wi-Fi, iCloud space and that you’re signed in to iCloud with the same Apple Account.
You can’t open or read the backup in iCloud; it’s only used to restore when you reinstall WhatsApp with the same number. Lost a few messages after a restore? See recovering deleted WhatsApp messages.
Quick answers
Turn on iCloud Drive for WhatsApp, then go to WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > Back Up Now, and set Auto Backup to daily or weekly.
Turn off Include Videos, delete large chat files, free iCloud space or upgrade storage. Or back up the whole iPhone to a computer instead.
No. Google Drive backups only work on Android. On iPhone, use iCloud or a computer backup.
