Fix WhatsApp Backup Stuck on iPhone and Android

As easy as it seemingly is to back up WhatsApp data on iPhone and Android, not all backups get through. In fact, many users have complaint that WhatsApp backup is stuck at 0% and not completed successfully.

The reasons behind this could be a poor network connection, large WhatsApp backup size, insufficient storage, etc.

In this post, we shall deal with the WhatsApp backup stuck on iPhone and Android issue with 16 proven methods. However, before delving into the list below, ensure your WhatsApp backup feature is turned on and the network is active.

• Part 1. What to Do If Your WhatsApp Backup Is Stuck? ( Android & iPhone)

• Part 2. Unique Solutions for WhatsApp Backup Stuck on iPhone

• Part 3. Unique Solutions for WhatsApp Backup Stuck on Android

• Part 4. Better Alternative Way to Back Up WhatsApp Data Safely

Part 1. What to Do If Your WhatsApp Backup Is Stuck? (Android & iPhone)

The causes of WhatsApp chat backup being stuck are numerous for Android and iPhone, and so are the fixes. Despite the obvious differences in the backup platforms of these two devices, some fixes for the problem are generic, let’s check out.

• 1.1 Reboot the Device

• 1.2 Leave the WhatsApp Beta Program

• 1.3 Update WhatsApp

• 1.4 Check Google Drive/iCloud Server Status

• 1.5 Exclude Videos from the Backup

• 1.6 Delete the Existing WhatsApp Backup

1.1 Reboot the Device

Sometimes, it might be hard to nail down the exact cause of the WhatsApp backup stuck problem. The easiest fix in this scenario is to reboot your device to let all its functions and features restart.

On Android, keep pressing the power button and tap on Restart when prompted. For iPhone users, you may press the Volume Up/Down button and power button simultaneously.

1.2 Leave the WhatsApp Beta Program

Truely, WhatsApp Beta allows you to enjoy first access to the app's newest features before it gets officially released. But it can sometimes be the culprit for WhatsApp backup stuck. To leave the beta program and go for the stable build, follow the steps below.

On iPhone

Open the TestFlight App > WhatsApp, then choose Leave beta program.

On Android

1. Go to Play Store and click your profile icon > Manage apps and device > Manage > WhatsApp Messenger.

2. Now scroll down to select the option to leave the beta program.

1.3 Update WhatsApp

An outdated WhatsApp may contain glitches that interrupt your backup process and lead to WhatsApp chat backup stuck.

WhatsApp frequently releases updates on Google Playstore and iOS app store, and as such, it is easy to miss out on some updates. In this case, all you need to do is to go to the app store, look for WhatsApp and update WhatsApp to the latest version available.

1.4 Check Google Drive/iCloud Server Status

Although the chances are low, the WhatsApp backup stuck on iPhone/Android issue might be due to server problems with Apple or Google Drive itself. To confirm the status of the Google Drive server, go to https://status.cloud.google.com.

For iCloud server status, go to https://www.apple.com/support/systemstatus.

1.5 Exclude Videos from the Backup

Videos are usually large, and too many of them can slow down your backup or cause it to stop. Removing these videos reduces the size of the data you are backing up significantly, especially if you belong to quite a few WhatsApp groups.

Open WhatsApp on either your iPhone or Android, then go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.

From here, disable the Include videos option.

1.6 Delete the Existing WhatsApp Backup

If you have already created multiple WhatsApp backups on iCloud or Google Drive, problems like WhatsApp backup stuck may arise due to storage limitations. In this case, you need to delete the existing backup on these cloud services and try the backup again.

For iCloud, open Settings on your iPhone. Go to Profile > iCloud > Manage Storage > WhatsApp Messenger > delete the data. Now you can open WhatsApp and restart the backup process.

For Google Drive, open Google Drive and click the gear icon to visit its Settings. Then select Manage Apps > WhatsApp Messenger > select Options and delete the backup data.

Part 2. Unique Solutions for WhatsApp Backup Stuck on iPhone

We have discussed some generic fixes for Android and iPhone in the section above. But with the difference in the operating systems, some fixes are unique to each device. Here, we will be taking you through fixes that are specific to WhatsApp backup stuck on iPhone.

• 2.1 Check iCloud Storage

• 2.2 Reset Network Settings

• 2.3 Change WhatsApp Auto Backup Settings

• 2.4 Delete an Existing iCloud Backup

• 2.5 Try Taking An iTunes Backup

2.1 Check iCloud Storage

iCloud is the default cloud backup platform for WhatsApp on iPhone. The iCloud, like most other cloud services, has storage limitations (5GB free storage). This storage space is bound to be exhausted at some point, and shortage of storage causes WhatsApp backup to get stuck on iPhone.

To check if you have enough storage space on iCloud for your WhatsApp backup, go to Settings > Profile > iCloud. You will see the remaining space in the iCloud window.

If the space left is not enough for the WhatsApp backup, you can buy a 50GB iCloud plan on the Apple website or create WhatsApp backup on iPhone without iCloud.

2.2 Reset Network Settings

A simple network reset on your iPhone might be all it takes to solve the WhatsApp chat backup stuck issue. This is because you might have unknowingly altered your network settings leading to problems in the backup process. Just go to Settings > General > Reset and choose Reset Network Settings.

2.3 Change WhatsApp Auto Backup Settings

When your device carries out large WhatsApp backup frequently, it might lead to WhatsApp backup stuck on iPhone. For instance, if the frequency is set to "daily," a new backup might start before completing the last backup.

To solve this problem of your WhatsApp backup getting stuck at 0%, you can change the auto backup frequency to weekly or monthly. Open WhatsApp and follow the path below to change the frequency:

Menu button (three vertical dots) > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > Auto Backup

2.4 Delete an Existing iCloud Backup

If your WhatsApp backup stuck on iPhone device, you also need to check your iCloud's storage. You can succeed in backing up WhatsApp to iCloud only if your the remaining storage of the iCloud must be 2 times than that of the WhatsApp data you want to back up.

If your iCloud is almost full, you can change your iCloud plan to purchase more storage, or clear some useless data to ensure your new WhatsApp data can be stored with enough space. Below is how to clear iCloud storage:

Ahead to your iPhone's Settings >Apple ID > iCloud > Manage iCloud. Then you can check the remaining storage of your iCloud.

Choose the data you don't need. For example, click Picture file, then tap Delete icon to clear the cache.

2.5 Try Taking An iTunes Backup

If you have tries all the methods referred above, your WhatsApp backup stuck on iPhone still exists, then try using iTunes for your WhatsApp backup. iTunes is also one of the alternatives to back up WhatsApp on iPhone device.

Step 1: Go to your iTunes software on your computer and connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable.

Step 2: Hit Summary icon on the left side, you can find your WhatsApp backup there.

Step 3: Hit Restore Backup > Restore button. Now you can succeed in restoring your WhatsApp media from backup.

Part 3. Unique Solutions for WhatsApp Backup Stuck on Android

• 3.1 Clear WhatsApp Cache

• 3.2 Update Google Play Services

• 3.3 Check the Linked Google Account on WhatsApp

• 3.4 Close the App from Running in the Background

• 3.5 Delete WhatsApp Backup from Google Drive

3.1 Check the Linked Google Account on WhatsApp

You need to check if your Google account linked with your WhatsApp is an useful and active account. If not, you should change another Google Drive account:

Navigate to your WhatsApp, click Settings > Chats > Chat backup. On the middle of the screen, you can find Account icon on the Google Drive Settings, click it and check your Google Drive account.

3.2 Clear WhatsApp Cache

Cache improves the user experience on WhatsApp, but it can sometimes cause WhatsApp backup to get stuck on Android. To clear your WhatsApp cache, open the Settings app and go through the path below:

Apps > WhatsApp > Storage > Clear Cache

3.3 Update Google Play Services

Google Play Services go a long way to ensure that most of your apps and other services are working perfectly in the background. Hence, if these services are outdated, it might cause WhatsApp to malfunction.

To fix this, navigate to Settings > Apps (Apps & Notifications for some Android devices) > Google Play Services > App details in store > Update.

3.4 Close the App from Running in the Background

Except WhatsApp app, other operating apps may affect your WhatsApp backup to Google Drive well, so you have better close those unecessary applications. Then try to back up your WhatsApp chats to your Google Drive again, now the error should be removed.

3.5 Delete WhatsApp Backup from Google Drive

Step 1 Go to the Google Drive app on your Android phone and click the menu button.

Step 2 Select the Backups option and locate the WhatsApp backup.

Step 3 Tap on the three vertical dots in front of the WhatsApp backup and select the Delete backup option. Now, you can try backing up the WhatsApp data to your Google Drive one more time, your issue should be removed now.

Part 4. Better Alternative Way to Back Up WhatsApp Data Safely

If you are facing WhatsApp chat backup stuck and can’t save your important messages, why not consider a better and FREE alternative to get the job done. Thankfully, you can carry out hitch-free and fast iPhone and Android WhatsApp backup with the help of WooTechy WhatsMover.

This tool effectively backs up your data locally on computer, thereby eliminating storage limitations and ensuring data safety.

WooTechy WhatsMover -- WhatsApp Backup Video Guide:

Back up your WhatsApp to PC in 3 Simple Steps:

Connect your device to the computer. Then launch the WhatsMover software and select the Back Up WhatsApp on Devices option from the left panel.

The backup process will start immediately; the time needed depends on your data size.

The WhatsApp backup is created successfully. You may check it on your computer and export it to PDF/Excel/HTML as you like.