WhatsApp is a popular app used by millions around the world for chatting, sharing photos, and making voice and video calls. Sometimes, you might need to read your WhatsApp backups to get back messages that are important. This article explains how to do that easily, especially focusing on Pakistani users who might need simple explanations.
What is a WhatsApp Backup
Before we jump into how to read these backups, let is understand what a WhatsApp backup is. It Is like a safety copy of all your WhatsApp chats and media. This backup is usually saved on Google Drive for Android users and iCloud for iPhone users. It helps you to bring back your messages if you change your phone or delete WhatsApp by mistake.
How to Read WhatsApp Backup From Google Drive Without WhatsApp
You might wonder if you can read your WhatsApp backup directly from Google Drive without having WhatsApp installed on your phone. The short answer is no, you can not do that directly because the backup file is encrypted. However, there are some steps you can follow to see your messages again.
You will need to install WhatsApp on any smartphone and use the same phone number to restore the backup during the setup process.
How to Read WhatsApp Backup From Google Drive on Phone
If you have WhatsApp installed and need to get back your chats from Google Drive, here is what to do:
- Make sure the same Google account that was used to create the backup is added to your phone.
- Install WhatsApp.
- Verify your phone number.
- Follow the prompts to restore your chat history.
This way, all your messages and media from the backup will be back on your phone.
How to View WhatsApp Backup on Google Drive
Viewing your WhatsApp backup directly on Google Drive is not straightforward because the backup file is not like regular files that you can open and read. However, you can check if your WhatsApp backup is there and how much space it is taking. Just go to Google Drive, then to ‘Backups’, and you will find your WhatsApp backup listed there.
How to Read WhatsApp Backup to PC
Reading your WhatsApp backup on a PC requires a bit more effort. You will need to use third-party software that can decrypt the backup file from Google Drive. Here are the steps:
- Download a reliable third-party tool that can handle WhatsApp backup files.
- Connect your Google Drive account where the backup is stored.
- Follow the software instructions to decrypt and view the backup.
Make sure to use trusted software to avoid any security risks.
Restore WhatsApp Backup From Google Drive
Restoring your WhatsApp backup from Google Drive is simple if you are setting up WhatsApp on a new phone or reinstalling it. Just install WhatsApp, verify your number, and tap on ‘Restore’ when it asks you to restore your chat history from Google Drive.
Open WhatsApp Backup File Online
Opening a WhatsApp backup file online is not possible due to security and encryption issues. If any website claims to do this, be cautious as it might be unsafe.
How to Restore WhatsApp Backup
Restoring a WhatsApp backup is just about reinstalling WhatsApp and choosing to restore from the backup during the setup. Make sure your phone is connected to the internet and logged into the Google account used for the backup.
Google Drive WhatsApp Backup
Google Drive makes a handy place to keep your WhatsApp backups because it is secure and easy to access when you need to restore your messages. Just make sure your Google Drive has enough space to keep your backups.
In summary, reading and managing your WhatsApp backups is not too hard if you follow the right steps. Whether you are using a phone or a PC, make sure to handle your backups carefully to keep your data safe.
Ali Arshad is a graduate in IT from Faisalabad IT College and currently works at mobilefone.pk, where he contributes his expertise on the latest in mobile and technology trends.