Yes, you can back up WhatsApp to local storage on Android. WhatsApp saves an encrypted file (msgstore.db.crypt14/15) on your phone at Internal Storage › Android › media › com.whatsapp › WhatsApp › Databases. Make a manual backup, then copy that folder to your PC/SD/NAS. To restore, place it back in the same path before verifying your number.
How to back up WhatsApp to local storage (Android)
Open WhatsApp → Settings › Chats › Chat backup → set Back up to Google Account to “Never,” then tap Back up. Your encrypted backup file appears at Internal Storage/Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases Copy that folder to a PC/SD/NAS for safekeeping.
What “local backup” really means
WhatsApp keeps two kinds of backups:
- Cloud backup: Stored in your Google Account (Android). This now counts toward your Google Drive storage. You can enable end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) backups for extra safety.
- Local backup: An encrypted backup file saved on your phone’s storage. It’s device-resident until you copy it elsewhere (PC/SD/NAS). On Android 11+, the path lives under
Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases. - Export chat: A manual export of one chat to a
.txt(optionally with media in a.zip). Handy for records, not a full app restore. (Exports are size-limited.)
Local vs Drive vs Export at a glance
| Method | What it stores | Where | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local backup | All chats/media (encrypted DB) | Phone storage (Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases) | Offline; fast restore; no quota | Risk if phone lost; manual copy to PC/SD needed; app must detect the file |
| Google Drive backup | All chats/media; can be end-to-end encrypted | Google Account (Drive “Backups”) | Automatic; survives phone loss; easy on new phone | Counts toward Drive storage; needs internet; must keep Google Account handy |
| Export chat | Single chat as .txt (+ optional media) | Share target (email/Drive/Files) | Human-readable; legal/records; selective | Not a full restore; message count limits (~40k no media/ ~10k with) |
Where WhatsApp stores local backups on Android (2025 path)
On Android 11+, Google’s scoped storage changed where apps can write files. WhatsApp’s local backups sit here:
Internal Storage > Android > media > com.whatsapp > WhatsApp > Databases
The latest file is msgstore.db.crypt14 or msgstore.db.crypt15. Dated files like msgstore-2025-08-28.1.db.crypt14 are older snapshots. If you don’t see the folder, use the phone maker’s Files app or connect a PC via USB some third-party file managers hide Android/media.
Why it moved: scoped storage limits old top-level /WhatsApp/ access; apps now write under Android/media/...
Create a local WhatsApp backup (no Google Drive)
- Turn off Cloud backup (optional):
WhatsApp → Settings › Chats › Chat backup → set Back up to your Google Account to Never. - Tap “Back up” to make a fresh local backup.
- Verify the file exists:
CheckInternal Storage/Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databasesformsgstore.db.crypt14/15.
Tip (storage): Since Drive backups now count toward your Google storage, keeping a local backup plus a copy on PC/NAS can save space and still keep you protected.
Copy your local backup to PC/SD/NAS (recommended)
- PC (USB): Connect the phone, browse to the path above, and copy the entire
WhatsAppfolder (Databases + Media) to your computer. - SD card / OTG: Copy the same
WhatsAppfolder to external storage. - Home NAS: If you use Synology/QNAP, sync
Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsAppto a backup share.
Restoring is easier if you keep the folder structure intact (not just the .db.crypt14 file).
Restore WhatsApp from a local backup (Android)
Goal: Make WhatsApp see your local backup before it looks for Google Drive.
Steps (reliable flow):
- On the new or reset phone, install WhatsApp but don’t complete setup after opening once.
- Using a file manager or a PC, copy your saved
WhatsAppfolder back to:Internal Storage/Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/
(You must include theDatabasesfolder.) - Open WhatsApp → verify the same phone number used to create the backup.
- When prompted, tap Restore. If cloud is enabled, WhatsApp may prefer Drive disable Drive backup or ensure no Drive backup exists so it falls back to local.
If it still won’t detect the file, repeat: uninstall WhatsApp, place the folder again, then install and verify. Community-tested workflows show this order matters on Android 11+.
Common issues & fixes
“WhatsApp didn’t detect my backup.”
- You verified a different number. Local backups are tied to the phone number.
- Files are in the wrong path. Use
Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases(not the old/WhatsApp/Databases). - Drive backup is taking priority. Temporarily set Drive backup to Never and retry restore.
“I can’t see Android/media in my file manager.”
Use the OEM’s Files app or connect a PC; some apps hide the Android folder due to scoped storage restrictions.
“Export chat is too small for my case.”
WhatsApp’s built-in export caps around 40,000 messages without media or ~10,000 with media per chat; it’s not meant for full app migration.
Limits, caveats, and what’s encrypted
- Local backup files are encrypted (
.crypt14/15) and are only meant to be restored by WhatsApp. You can’t read them directly without specialized steps; treat them like a sealed archive. (Use Export chat if you need human-readable text.) - Lost/stolen phone risk: a local-only backup doesn’t help if you lose the device and the copy. Make one offline copy to PC/SD/NAS.
- Google Drive policy: backups now count toward storage quotas; plan space or go local.
- Paths can change with Android updates; always verify the folder after a major update.
Privacy & security tips that actually help
- Turn on E2EE cloud backups if you still use Drive this encrypts your cloud copy with a password or 64-digit key. Keep that key safe.
- Lock your phone and Files app. Your backup file is sensitive.
- Keep local + off-device: phone + PC/NAS gives you redundancy without cloud.
- Optional: after a local restore, re-enable Drive backups if you want two layers (E2EE on).
Mini case studies
Airtel user, low Drive space: Priya has only 200 MB free in Drive. She runs Back up now (local), copies WhatsApp/Databases to her laptop, clears WhatsApp media inside the app, and re-enables a monthly Drive backup with E2EE so the cloud copy doesn’t balloon.
Moving to a new Android without Google: Rohit avoids Google services. He installs WhatsApp, doesn’t finish setup, copies his saved WhatsApp folder back into Android/media/com.whatsapp/, then verifies his number and taps Restore. It detects the local file and restores chats/media.
Checklist: WhatsApp local backup in 2 minutes
- Set Drive backup to Never → tap Back up.
- Open Files → copy
Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/to PC/SD/NAS. - To restore: place it back → open WhatsApp → Restore.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I back up WhatsApp to local storage only?
Yes. Set Back up to your Google Account to Never, then tap Back up. The file appears under Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases.
Where exactly is the WhatsApp backup on Android?Internal Storage › Android › media › com.whatsapp › WhatsApp › Databases. Latest is msgstore.db.crypt14/15.
How do I restore from local backup without Google Drive?
Place the WhatsApp folder (with Databases) back into the same path before verifying your number, then open WhatsApp and tap Restore when prompted.
Why didn’t WhatsApp detect my local backup?
Usually wrong path, different phone number, or Drive backup taking priority. Turn Drive backup off and re-try.
Is the local backup encrypted?
Yes,.crypt14/15 is encrypted and intended for app restore, not manual reading.
How many messages can “Export chat” save?
Roughly 40k messages without media, or ~10k with media per chat. It isn’t a full restore method.
Source: WhatsApp
