WhatsApp is one of the widely used social media platforms that help people to communicate with each other effectively. People share lots of important information through this platform as such users are constantly advised to back up their data to avoid losing it.
iCloud is Apple’s storage service that enables its users to back up their data including WhatsApp safely. However, Apple only provides a free 5GB cloud space to each registered Apple ID. This 5GB can be quickly depleted when photos, messages, videos, and documents from apps like WhatsApp are constantly backed up. To get additional storage space on iCloud you will have to purchase it at a certain fee. However, if you want a free backup option for your WhatsApp media, one that has few recurring problems, then read through this article to get your answers.
How to Backup WhatsApp on iPhone without iCloud
We will introduce 3 free methods for WhatsApp backup without iCloud. The disadvantages of each method will be explained. Therefore you can choose the best method for WhatsApp backup on iPhone.
1. Use WhatsApp Built-in Feature – Export Chat
This method is to export WhatsApp chats to Email or Google Drive. Using Email to backup WhatsApp chats works perfectly if you only have a few WhatsApp chats to back up. This method enables you to send yourself WhatsApp chats as well as attachments via Email. In order to successfully export chats via Email, follow the guide below.
- Opening WhatsApp on your iPhone.
- Then navigate to the Chat that you’d like to back up.
- Click on the “More” option after swiping on the chat icon.
- From there, select the “Export Chat” option and choose whether you want to export with media or without media.
- Select Email to send the chats to your email address.
You can also click on the contact with whom you want to export the chats. Then scroll down, you will also see the “Export Chat” option.
Disadvantages of using Email to back up WhatsApp without iCloud:
- The attachment limit of most email servers is 20 MB so you might not be able to export all your preferred WhatsApp chats and media files to email.
- The whole procedure is time-consuming since there will be lots of chats to backup and you have to do it one by one.
- Another disadvantage of this method is that, unlike other backup options, you will not be able to restore the chats back to your iPhone afterward.
Using Google Drive to Back up WhatsApp Chats
This method is almost similar to exporting chats to Email because when you’re following the steps mentioned above, there’ll be an option for Google drive just next to the Email option. Then you’ll have to click on that option to get your WhatsApp chats exported to Google drive.
Disadvantages of backup WhatsApp to Google Drive:
- The whole process takes a lot of time.
- You cannot restore the WhatsApp chats to your iPhone.
2. Use iTunes to Backup WhatsApp without iCloud
One of the best backup tools to use besides iCloud is iTunes for iPhone users. Unlike iCloud, iTunes backs up all your data to your computer, so the storage is free and there are no limits. The backup and restore process is pretty easy to implement. To backup WhatsApp on iPhone using iTunes, do the following.
- Check to see if your iTunes has been updated to the latest version.
- Then Run iTunes on your computer.
- Using a well-functioning Apple USB cable, link your iPhone to the computer.
- Select your iPhone when it appears on the iTunes window.
- Still, on the iTunes screen, tap on Back Up Now to backup your iPhone data to a computer via iTunes.
- The process will take some time to complete depending on the size of your iPhone data.
Disadvantages of using iTunes to backup WhatsApp chats
- In order to gain access to the backup files again, iTunes will replace your iPhone with the data in the backup. That means all the data currently on your device will be overwritten. If the backup is a long time ago, you might lose lots of data.
- You can not restore only 1 WhatsApp chat. All WhatsApp chats at a certain time will be restored.
- The whole process will be long for most users since iTunes backs up so many types of data.
- The method is prone to failures such as getting stuck or experiencing some errors.
3. Use a Third-party WhatsApp Backup Tool
There are many third-party tools that allow you to backup WhatsApp for free. You can choose any of them to have a try. The backup will be stored on your computer, so this way is safe.
For example, you can use the tool iMyFone iTransor for WhatsApp which has been popular for years. This tool is very powerful and efficient. It allows the export, backup, and restoration of WhatsApp data, even the transfer between the devices with different OS, like Android and iOS.
To use this tool to back up WhatsApp, follow the steps below.
- Download and Run the program on your computer.
- On the left panel of this program, select the option that says Back Up WhatsApp on Devices.
- Using a working Apple USB cable, connect your device to your computer.
- After successfully linking and trusting the computer on your device, your phone will be detected by the program.
- From there, tap on Back Up.
- You’ll receive a notification once the backup process ends successfully.
- You’ll then be able to export, restore, or just preview the chats from your backup. You can even select some of the chats to restore instead of restoring the entire WhatsApp backup.
Disadvantages of using a third-party tool to backup WhatsApp
- In order to restore and export your WhatsApp backup as well as to enjoy other features of this tool, you will have to buy a full version of this application. You can only do a backup of your data for free, for other features you pay. All the similar tools on the market charge when it comes to restoring, exporting, or transferring the backup.
Tips to Help You to Save Your iCloud Storage
You can visit iCloud storage on your device. Navigate to Settings > Your name > iCloud, and check how much iCloud storage you are using. If it is almost full, to save some of your space, try to:
- Delete media files that you’re not using anymore. These include photos, videos, documents, voice memos,
- Disable the sync to iCloud of the apps that you rarely use.
- Erase your old iCloud backup files. You can check the backup by going to Settings > Your name > iCloud > Manage Storage.
- Get rid of your unimportant email messages from your iCloud email account.
- In order to remain with a smaller-sized photo backup, save your photos and other media file to your computer or external hard drive.
- Try to manually backup your iPhone to your computer via iTunes.
All these methods are cost-effective and guaranteed to help you safely back up WhatsApp on your iPhone without iCloud. Backup is very important in cases where the device experiences failures that result in data loss. Therefore learn about all these various WhatsApp backup methods and save your data while there’s still time.
