Backup WhatsApp Chats on an iPhone Using iTunes and iCloud

Many iPhone users are interested in backing up their WhatsApp chats. This article will explore the options you have, including using iTunes and iCloud for backing up WhatsApp data. We will also discuss the caveats and benefits of each method.

Does WhatsApp Get Backed Up When Using iTunes?

Yes, WhatsApp chats are backed up when you use iTunes or Finder on macOS Catalina and later to back up your iPhone. When you choose to back up your iPhone, your WhatsApp messages, photos, and videos are included in the backup. However, if you restore from this backup, all data on the device will revert to its state at the time of the backup. This means you can restore the entire iPhone but not selectively only your WhatsApp data.

How to Back Up Your iPhone with iTunes

To back up your iPhone using iTunes, follow these steps:

Connect your iPhone to your computer via USB cable.

Open iTunes on your computer.

In the iPhone section, click on the ‘Back Up Now’ button to create a backup of your iPhone.

This will save all data on your iPhone, including WhatsApp, to iTunes.

Remember that restoring from this backup will restore all data, not just WhatsApp chats. This may not be desirable if you want to keep certain apps or settings separate.

What Data Does iTunes Back Up?

When you back up your iPhone using iTunes, the following data is saved:

Contacts Messages Apps (including WhatsApp) Music Movies TV shows Photos Videos Music, Songs, and other media

This comprehensive backup ensures that all your data is safe. However, it comes at the cost of having to revert everything you backed up, including WhatsApp chats and other app data.

Backup WhatsApp Chats Specifically Using iCloud

If you want to selectively backup your WhatsApp chats, using WhatsApp's built-in backup feature or iCloud is the recommended method.

Using WhatsApp's Built-in Backup Feature

WhatsApp offers a built-in backup feature that allows you to save your chats to your iPhone's iCloud storage. This means you can selectively restore just your WhatsApp data without affecting other apps on your device.

Open the WhatsApp app on your iPhone.

Go to Settings > Chat > Backup WhatsApp.

Select the Send to iCloud or Send to iCloud Drive option.

This ensures that only your WhatsApp data is backed up, and it can be restored independently of your other app data.

Using iCloud for Backup

You can also set up iCloud backup, which is easier and more reliable:

Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.

Toggle the iPhone Backups switch to On.

Set the storage option to Automatic or a specific limit if you are concerned about storage.

This method ensures that your WhatsApp chats are backed up to iCloud, and you can restore them separately if needed.

Why Choose iCloud for Backup?

Maintaining regular backups is crucial to avoid data loss. iCloud backup for WhatsApp is recommended for several reasons:

Convenience: iCloud backup is simpler to set up and use.

Reliability: iCloud is always on and updated, making it a more reliable storage solution.

Selectivity: Unlike full iPhone backups, you can restore just your WhatsApp data if needed.

Regular Updates: iCloud automatically updates your backups, ensuring that your data is always current.

Peace of Mind: Knowing your essential data is backed up to a secure and reliable cloud service can give you peace of mind.

For optimal data security, combining iTunes and iCloud backup practices is highly recommended. Regularly back up your iPhone using iTunes, and maintain iCloud backups specifically for WhatsApp to ensure your data is both secure and easily restorable.