Comprehensive Guide: How to Back Up WhatsApp Messages on iPhone

I want to uninstall WhatsApp messages from my iPhone SE and replace it with WeChat to contact my business partner in China conveniently. Before doing that, how can I back up my important WhatsApp messages?

WhatsApp is widely used for personal and business communication. Backing up your WhatsApp messages, including chats, voice notes, videos, and attachments, is important to prevent data loss. This guide will show you 6 simple and safe ways to back up WhatsApp on your iPhone using iCloud, Email, AirDrop, iTunes, and professional tools.

Backup WhatsApp Messages iPhone

Method 1. Back Up WhatsApp Messages to PC with WhatsApp Transfer

The first method of transferring WhatsApp messages and attachments to the computer is using WhatsApp Transfer for iOS. It is a professional application to send WhatsApp chat history from all the contacts and groups from an iPhone to a computer. Moreover, it can also back up all WhatsApp texts, voice messages, and attachments from one iPhone to another iPhone in a 1:1 copy. What you need is a USB cable, and download this WhatsApp backup software. This software supports iPhone 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, XS, XR, X, 8, 7, 6, 5, etc., running In iOS 18/17 and later, and you can use it to transfer WhatsApp data from almost all iPhone models.

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WhatsApp Transfer for iOS

  • Backup WhatsApp messages and attachments from iPhone to PC
  • Support encrypted backup to protect your private messages
  • Send voice messages, pictures, documents, and videos
  • Transfer and restore WhatsApp data to another iPhone
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Step 1.
Install WhatsApp Transfer for iOS on your Mac or Windows computer. Open the program once it is installed. Connect your iPhone to the PC via a Lightning cable.

Note: Unlock your iPhone and tap Trust This Computer if prompted. Wait until the software successfully detects your device.

Step 2.
From the main interface, click WhatsApp Transfer. Then choose WhatsApp from the left sidebar if multiple apps are supported.
Click Whatsapp Transfer
Step 3.
Click on Backup in the WhatsApp section. Your phone will be instantly set up for backup by the program.
Click to Backup
Step 4.
Make use of the Encrypted Backup feature, if you want, to secure your WhatsApp data with a password. To secure the backup file, you will have to type and then confirm your password. (optional)
Step 5.
Click the folder icon or Menu > Preferences to choose the file path where you want to save the backup files on your computer. Then, click Start Backup to begin transferring WhatsApp chats, voice messages, photos, videos, documents, and attachments to your PC or Mac. Wait until the process completes. Do not disconnect your device during the backup.
Start The Backup

Next time, when you want to restore WhatsApp backup, this software can also help you restore the whole WhatsApp data from PC to iPhone conveniently.

Method 2. Back Up WhatsApp via iCloud Drive

WhatsApp cooperates with Apple, so it will definitely gain the superiority in some aspects. Here, WhatsApp messages backup on iPhone can be done with WhatsApp itself. What you need is an iCloud account and a WLAN.

Step 1.
On your iPhone, tap Settings > iCloud > iCloud Drive > slide iCloud Drive and WhatsApp to ON.
Turn on iCloud Drive
Step 2.
Hit WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > turn on Back Up Now to back up chat history.
Back up WhatsApp Messages on iPhone

If you like, you could turn on Include Videos to back up WhatsApp videos for restoring in future. Also you are allowed to slide Auto Backup ON to make WhatsApp messages and videos automatically.

Verdict

iCloud Drive is the official and easy way to back up WhatsApp on iPhone. It allows wireless automatic backups, but requires sufficient iCloud storage and a stable internet connection.

WhatsApp backup is getting stuck on iPhone? Here are solutions.

Also, you can restore WhatsApp by uninstalling it. And then you need to install WhatsApp, log in to your WhatsApp using your original account. Once you sign in to WhatsApp, you will be asked to restore the backup from iCloud. Surely, the restored backup from iCloud will overwrite the existing WhatsApp files on the iPhone.

Method 3. Transfer iPhone WhatsApp Messages to PC via Email

Apart from the above two methods, there is another method to copy WhatsApp messages from iPhone to PC with Emails. What you must prepare is the WLAN and your Email address. Apart from the above two methods, there is another method to back up WhatsApp messages from iPhone to PC with Emails. What you must prepare is the WLAN and your Email address.

Step 1.
Go to WhatsApp and navigate to the conversation you want to back up on PC.
Step 2.
Hit the contact person’s name at the top, then scroll down to find Export Chat. In the pop-up option, you can choose Attach Media or Without Media to add attachments (photos or videos).
Step 3.
After that, choose Mail to enter the receiver’s Email address to send WhatsApp to the Mail.
Back up WhatsApp Messages With Mail

In this way, you will find your WhatsApp messages will be saved as TXT after logging in with your Email address on the computer. However, you will find it is a little troublesome to export WhatsApp messages one by one for each contact person.

Verdict

Email lets you save individual chats as TXT files. It’s convenient for small backups but not suitable for full WhatsApp restoration.

Method 4. Use AirDrop to Save WhatsApp Messages to Mac

iPhone users may not miss one of the important tools, AirDrop, which is also a helpful program for transferring files between iOS devices and Macs. Here we will show you the detailed steps to Airdrop WhatsApp messages or other files between iPhone and Mac.

Step 1.
Repeat steps 1 and 2 in method three to pack your text messages and message attachments.
Step 2.
In the transferring way, you could use AirDrop by swiping from the bottom to up, choose Everyone to find your Mac. Tap it to save the WhatsApp messages backup to Mac. For backing up archived WhatsApp messages, you should click them one by one and then select to send them to other devices for backup.
Back up Whatsapp Messages With Airdrop

Not only are WhatsApp messages, contacts, photos, etc., but they are also supported by AirDrop. Check here to know how to backup contacts on iPhone with AirDrop.

Verdict

AirDrop is fast for saving WhatsApp chats to a Mac, ideal for individual conversations, but cannot restore them to WhatsApp.

Method 5. Export WhatsApp Chats Using the Export Chat Feature

If backing up all your WhatsApp data is not in your plan, the built-in Export Chat feature can be a good and very handy option. With this method, you can take out individual chats straight from your iPhone without the need for a computer or iCloud backup. It is excellent for cases where you only want to keep some of the chats that are important in a file, for your records, or for legal and business purposes.

Step 1.
Open the chat you intend to export and tap on the contact’s name at the top.
Step 2.
Then, scroll down and find the Export Chat option.
Step 3.
Now decide whether to include the media files. At last, pick one or more locations or forms through which you want to share or save the exported chat: a note file, mail, message, etc.
Backup on Export Chat Whatsapp

Verdict

The Export Chat tool is ideal for swiftly and effortlessly preserving particular discussions. It doesn’t need iCloud storage, iTunes, or third-party apps. Still, exported chats can’t be brought back to WhatsApp. They are merely kept as text files. So, if you want to do simple documentation or maintain a record rather than have a complete restoration, this way is among the easiest and most versatile options on the iPhone.

Method 6. Back Up WhatsApp Messages Using iTunes

For iPhone users who like to have their backups stored offline, iTunes is a dependable tool to create a backup of WhatsApp messages and iPhone data in general. This approach causes chats, media files, and app configurations to be stored on your computer. Although it is not possible to make a selective WhatsApp backup with this method, it is handy if you want to do a complete device backup that can be restored later either to the same or a new iPhone.

Step 1.
Use a USB/Lightning cable to connect your iPhone to your PC or Mac. Start iTunes or Finder.
Step 2.
If your iPhone appears in iTunes, click it. To save a backup on your computer, check This Computer under Backups.
Step 3.
To initiate the backup, click Back Up Now. Stay until iTunes finishes the backup.
Step 4.
Once finished, you can verify the backup by going to Preferences > Devices in iTunes.
Backup on iTunes

Verdict

iTunes offers a secure offline backup of your entire iPhone, including WhatsApp. It’s perfect for full device restoration but cannot back up individual chats.

FAQs of Backing Up WhatsApp Messages on iPhone

How to restore deleted WhatsApp messages without backup?

You need a backup to restore deleted messages and then transfer WhatsApp from iPhone to Android or other devices. Without a backup, use third-party tools like FoneLab iPhone Data Recovery.

How do I access WhatsApp on my iCloud?

All the backup via iCloud will be stored in the cloud by Apple. Log in to www.icloud.com, and you can view some data from the backup file. As for WhatsApp messages, iCloud does not allow you to view them directly. You need an iCloud extractor to access WhatsApp data.

Can Move to iOS transfer WhatsApp?

No. Move to iOS is a free app to transfer data from Android phone to iPhone. However, app data like WhatsApp, Kik, etc., are not supported to send from Android to iPhone.

Is WhatsApp linked to Apple ID or phone number?

The WhatsApp account is tied to your cell phone number. The account itself is not associated with an Apple ID. However, if you want to back up your WhatsApp messages via iCloud, you must make sure that your device is signed in with the same Apple ID.

Can you AirDrop WhatsApp messages between devices with the same Apple ID?

Yes. Files are automatically received on the target device without needing manual acceptance.

Conclusion

It is very important to back up WhatsApp on the iPhone in order to have the protection of chats, media, and voice notes. Each method offers a certain plus and a certain negative side: Aiseesoft WhatsApp Transfer, iCloud, AirDrop, Email, Export Chat, and iTunes. Selecting the most suitable method would guarantee a successful WhatsApp backup for iPhone and thus secure your valuable data.

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