Are you having trouble backing up WhatsApp on your iPhone? It could be due to a poor internet connection, or even not enough storage space on your device. In this article, we’ll show you some solutions if WhatsApp won’t let you back up your data.
Storage Notice
One of the main problems when trying to back up WhatsApp is the warning that there isn’t enough iCloud storage. Backups for the messaging app are stored in the cloud. For Android, it’s on Google Drive. For iOS, it’s on iCloud Drive. Therefore, having available iCloud storage is essential.
WhatsApp may need twice as much iCloud storage as a buffer. This means that if the backup takes up 1 GB, you’ll need 2 GB of iCloud Drive available for it to work properly. Therefore, you’ll need to check that you have enough iCloud storage space. If not, follow the steps below.
Free up space in iCloud
You can free up space by deleting photos or videos from your gallery. You can also clear data from unused apps in Settings > Account > iCloud > Manage Storage . Find an app you don’t use and tap ‘Clear data’.
Delete other previous backups
Note: This action will delete previous WhatsApp backups.
Try deleting other WhatsApp backups you made previously . This will free up space in iCloud and allow you to create a new backup. Plus, since there’s already a new backup, you won’t need the ones you have stored in iCloud.
To delete previous backups, go to Settings and tap your account. Then, go to iCloud > Manage Storage > WhatsApp > Delete Data.
Buy more iCloud storage
If you still don’t have enough storage, you’ll need to purchase more iCloud storage. You can do this through your iPhone, in Settings > Account > iCloud > Manage Storage > Change Plan.
Internet connection notice
You may also be unable to back up WhatsApp if you’re having internet connection issues . In this case, there are also some solutions you should consider.
Connect to another, more stable WiFi network
If possible, try connecting to a more stable Wi-Fi network with a longer range. You can also move closer to the router or find an area with a stronger internet connection.
Restart your router and terminal
If you can’t connect to another network or think your connection is stable, try restarting your router. You can usually do this from a button on the back . Turn it off for a few seconds, then turn it back on. Wait a few minutes for the connection to return, then restart your iPhone. You can do this by pressing the power and volume up buttons. Then, slide to the “Sleep” option. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to turn your iPhone on.
Back up with mobile data
If you have enough mobile data, you can also back up your data without Wi-Fi . However, it may take longer and even consume a lot of your data plan’s megabytes, so it’s best to disable the video backup option if you have it enabled.
WhatsApp backup is not progressing
Another problem that can arise when making a backup is that it doesn’t progress and gets stuck at a specific point (for example, 3%). Typically, especially with large backups, you only need to wait a few minutes for the timeline to advance. If you find that it continues to progress after a while, follow these steps to resolve it.
Make sure iCloud Drive is turned on
WhatsApp will notify you if iCloud Drive is disabled, as this is a prerequisite for the app to be able to back up your data. However, it may not notify you, but it may prevent the backup from proceeding, which is why it won’t progress. To check if iCloud Drive is enabled, go to Settings > your account > iCloud > iCloud Drive . Check if it’s enabled. You should also check that WhatsApp (located below) is also enabled for iCloud Drive.
Try unchecking both the iCloud Drive and WhatsApp checkboxes and restarting your iPhone . Then, go back into Settings and turn both options back on. Run the backup again and see if it progresses.
Uninstall WhatsApp
Don’t delete the app, as this could erase all your data. Simply uninstall it to clear the cache (not your personal information). To do this, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > WhatsApp > Uninstall App . Then, click ‘Reinstall App’. Now, check if you can back up your data.
Sign out of iCloud and sign back in
It’s a process that takes a little longer, but it can solve the problem when you’re backing up. Sign out of iCloud and sign back in on the same iPhone. Keep in mind that signing out may disable some options and settings, but it won’t erase your data.
To sign out of iCloud, just go to Settings, tap your account, and click “Sign Out .” Then, restart your iPhone and sign back in with your Apple ID. See if you can restart your backup.
Reset network settings
If none of these steps helped, try resetting your network settings . This won’t delete your iPhone’s data (pictures, apps, etc.), but it will delete information about your Wi-Fi settings and passwords for any networks you’ve configured on your iPhone.
How can you reset your network settings? Simply go to your iPhone’s settings and click on ‘General,’ then swipe to ‘Reset.’ Finally, tap ‘Reset Network Settings.’ Confirm the action and restart your iPhone. Try the backup again.
