WhatsApp backup stuck? 9 fixes for iPhone and Android
A stuck WhatsApp backup is almost always about space, the cloud account or the connection. Here is how to get it moving.
The fix
9 fixes, in order
- 1
Use strong Wi-Fi and keep charging.
Large backups can take an hour or more. Leave WhatsApp open.
- 2
Free up phone storage.
Aim for at least twice the backup size free.
- 3
Free up cloud storage.
iCloud or Google Drive also needs enough room.
- 4
iPhone: turn on iCloud Drive for WhatsApp.
Settings › [your name] › iCloud › iCloud Drive must be on, and WhatsApp allowed to use it.
- 5
Android: check the Google account.
WhatsApp › Settings › Chats › Chat backup. Confirm the right Google account is selected.
- 6
Turn off Include Videos.
In Chat backup settings. Videos make backups several times larger.
- 7
Update WhatsApp and restart the phone.
- 8
Delete the old backup and try again.
iPhone: Settings › [your name] › iCloud › Manage Account Storage › WhatsApp › Delete. Your chats on the phone stay.
- 9
Allow backup over cellular if Wi-Fi is the problem.
There is a Back up using cellular option in Chat backup.
Frequently asked questions
How much space does a WhatsApp backup need?
On iPhone, WhatsApp says you need at least 2.05 times the backup size free on the phone and in iCloud. A 5 GB backup needs over 10 GB free.
Will I lose chats if the backup fails?
No. Your chats stay on your phone. Only the new backup copy is missing until it finishes.
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