WhatsApp is the world’s largest IM (Instant Messaging) platform with over 2 billion users and still does not offer cross-platform sync functionality. You still cannot transfer WhatsApp backups from Android to iPhone and vice versa. However, the company provides backup functionality on Android and iOS via Google Drive and iCloud, respectively. It is useful when changing the device while remaining in the same ecosystem. Due to WhatsApp backup size and other settings, you may encounter WhatsApp backup stuck on iPhone and Android.
Many users are reporting that WhatsApp backup gets stuck at a certain percentage and does not complete successfully. There may be various reasons behind it. Some may be a slow network connection, insufficient iCloud storage, large videos in WhatsApp chats, a faulty WhatsApp structure, and more.
In this post, we will fix WhatsApp backup stuck issue on iOS and Android. Let’s check the solutions.
1. Update WhatsApp
WhatsApp releases frequent updates for its app on iOS and Android. WhatsApp backup error might be caused by the last buggy build installed on your device.
Open the App Store or Google Play Store on the device. Go to the update section and download the latest build on the device.
2. Leave WhatsApp Beta Program
If you are part of the WhatsApp Beta program and are experiencing a backup issue with the build installed on the device, it may be wise to leave the beta program and choose the stable build from the App Store or Google Play Store.
On iPhone, open TestFlight App > WhatsApp > and select Leave beta program from the menu below.
Open Play Store on Android and go to WhatsApp. There you will see the option to leave the beta program.
3. Use Strong Network Connection
WhatsApp backups are usually GB in size – because you add photos and videos too. This requires a stable network connection for a successful process. Make sure you are connected to strong network and your phone is showing enough bars for cellular network strength.
Those who have a dual-band router, check if your phone supports 5GHz Wi-Fi band. If available, connect the phone to the 5 GHz band of your Wi-Fi network.
4. Reset Network Settings (iPhone)
Sometimes users accidentally overwrite network settings which causes WhatsApp backup on iPhone to get stuck. You can fix it by resetting network settings on iPhone.
On iPhone, open the Settings app and go to General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
5. Check iCloud Storage (iPhone)
On iPhone, WhatsApp uses Apple’s iCloud to store backup data. As you know, iCloud only comes with 5GB of free storage for Apple account users. You may have low iCloud storage to backup WhatsApp data. Open the iPhone Settings app > Profile > iCloud and take a look at the remaining iCloud storage. If it’s less than the backup size recommended by WhatsApp, consider purchasing the entry-level 50GB iCloud plan from Apple. Alternatively, you can remove iCloud backups (check #8) or multimedia (check #7) before WhatsApp backup.
If you don’t want to use this route, you can backup WhatsApp data using iTunes on PC. But the problem is that it will perform the full device backup, not just for WhatsApp.
Note: WhatsApp and Google have partnered to provide storage over Google Drive on Android, and your WhatsApp backup data does not count against Google Drive storage.
6. Check if iCloud or Google Drive Servers Are Down
WhatsApp backup getting stuck in iCloud or Google Drive could be due to server side issues from Apple and Google. You can visit the Apple System Status page and make sure iCloud is working fine on their end.
For Google Drive, visit Google Cloud Status and search for Google Cloud storage.
7. Extract Videos from Backup
If you are part of several groups on WhatsApp and regularly receive loads of videos, this will increase the backup size considerably. Fortunately, WhatsApp lets you exclude videos while backing up data.
You can open WhatsApp on your Android or iPhone, go to Settings > Chat > Backup > and enable Exclude videos from WhatsApp backup.
8. Delete Existing iCloud Backup (iPhone)
You can delete existing iCloud backup on iPhone and try to backup WhatsApp data from scratch.
On iPhone, open the Settings app and go to Profile > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Delete existing backup in iCloud. Now go back to WhatsApp > Settings > Chat > and start the backup process.
9. Clear WhatsApp Cache (Android)
You can clear the cache of WhatsApp from Android device and then try the backup process. You can long tap on the WhatsApp icon and open the app information. Now go to Storage & Cache and select Clear cache.
10. Update Google Play Services (Android)
Google Play Services plays a vital role in Android to keep several services running smoothly in the background. You can go to Google Play Store and update Play Services on the phone. Try to make a backup of WhatsApp again and see if it works.
11. Reboot Device
Restarting your iPhone or Android usually fixes some unknown bugs or minor issues. You can restart your iPhone by pressing the volume up/down and power button at the same time. Keep pressing the power button on Android and select Restart from the floating menu.
Backup Your WhatsApp Data
You can use the above tricks and solve WhatsApp backup stuck on iPhone or Android devices. WhatsApp is working on cross-platform sync. We hope the Facebook-owned company brings the functionality to market quickly and addresses users’ pain points.
Next: Having trouble with WhatsApp video call not working on iPhone and Android? Read the post below to fix video call not working on WhatsApp.
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