Have you run out of space on Google Drive and need to back up your WhatsApp conversations? Are you concerned about your data privacy or just want full control over your backups? You're not alone. Many users are looking for alternatives to backup WhatsApp without resorting to Google Drive., either space reasons, privacy or the limitations imposed by Google's cloud service.
In this article you will discover All the possible and safe ways to backup WhatsApp without relying on Google DriveYou'll learn how to save your chats to your phone's storage, an SD card, email, third-party apps, and even manual methods, all explained step-by-step and tailored to different types of users and needs.
Why look for alternatives to Google Drive for WhatsApp backups?
Since a time ago, Google has stopped offering unlimited storage for WhatsApp backups.This means that the chats, photos, and videos you back up to the cloud take up space within your free 15GB, and if you go over that amount, you'll have to upgrade to a paid plan. Additionally, many people prefer to avoid storing their personal data on third-party servers for privacy reasons or because automatic restore features can fail.
Moreover, WhatsApp backups on Google Drive are not end-to-end encrypted. –unlike in-app messaging–, and it's becoming increasingly common to worry about the security of our conversations. There are also other limitations, such as the inability to restore those backups if you switch from Android to iPhone, or vice versa.
How to backup WhatsApp locally (internal storage or SD card)
The simplest and most straightforward option is to take advantage of WhatsApp's native functionality, which allows you to save a backup to your device's internal memory or to an external SD card if your phone supports it. This way, You always have the file under control and can manually transfer it to another device or save it wherever you want..
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings from the three-dot menu in the upper right corner.
- Go to the 'Chats' section and then select 'Backup'.
- Disable backup to Google Drive: Under 'Save to Google Drive', select 'Never'.
- Click the 'Save' button to create a local copy.The backup will be saved to your phone's internal storage or SD card, depending on your settings.
The generated file will be in the path /WhatsApp/Databases/ within your phone's memory (or on the SD card if you have configured it that way). These files are usually named msgStore.db.crypt12 and a dated version (msgStore-yyyy-mm-dd.1.db.crypt12).
The great advantage of this method is that You can easily copy these files to a computer or another phone whenever you want. Simply connect your phone to your PC using a USB cable, locate the folder, and copy the backup files wherever you prefer. If you need to restore your chats, simply install WhatsApp on your new device, copy the file to the same folder, and follow the restore process when you activate the app.
How to back up WhatsApp to an SD card
If your phone supports microSD cards, you can take advantage of this by saving your backups there to free up internal space. The process is almost identical to the previous one, but make sure the SD card is properly inserted and has enough space available before starting.
- Open WhatsApp, go to Settings > Chats > Backup.
- Choose 'Never' for the save option on Google Drive.
- Click 'Save' and WhatsApp will take care of generating the backup on the SD card.
Remember that, just like with internal storage, you can remove the SD card and connect it to a computer if you want to save an extra copy or migrate data to another device. Managing backups on SD is ideal if you change phones frequently or if your internal memory is full.
Export WhatsApp chats via email
If you just need save specific conversations or backup specific chats, you can opt for the feature export chat, available directly in the app:
- Open the chat (individual or group) you want to save.
- Tap the three-dot menu and select More > Export chat.
- Choose whether you want to attach media files or just text.
- Select your email client and share the file as a .txt attachment (and possibly a zip file if you included multimedia).
This method is fast and efficient for preserving important conversations, but It has limitationsYou can only export one chat at a time. It's not useful for making a full backup of the entire app, and you can't import those files directly into WhatsApp. This is useful as a reference file or for legal reasons, but not for restoring conversations on another device.
Back up WhatsApp to your computer (PC or Mac)
If you prefer to save absolutely everything and want even more control than with SD copy, there are several third-party applications that allow you to do one. full copy of WhatsApp data on your computer, including chats, photos, videos, voice notes and received files.
Some of the most well-known and reliable programs are Mobile Trans, iTransor for WhatsApp o MobiKin Recovery. Generally, they work like this:
- Download, install, and open the application on your computer (compatible with Windows and Mac).
- You connect your mobile phone via USB cable and allow the necessary permissions.
- Select the 'WhatsApp Backup' option from the main menu.
- You start the process and the app saves all your WhatsApp data to your computer.
With this method, you can manage, restore, and even transfer data to another phone (including cross-platform transfers, such as from Android to iPhone), although the free version sometimes limits some advanced features.
Advantages of PC backup:
- You avoid any dependence on cloud services.
- The storage is as large as the computer's hard drive.
- Ideal for storing historical backups.
- Many apps also allow you to transfer chats between different operating systems.
Private backups and encryption: extra options for the most demanding users
If you are looking for an total privacy and control, there are services such as Hivenet They rely on encrypted and distributed storage, based on a zero-knowledge architecture: not even the provider can see your files. By exporting chats in .txt or .zip files and uploading them to these types of services, your data is protected and only you have access to it.
These services usually offer Custom storage plans, from a few gigabytes to several terabytes, and simple and intuitive file management to organize your WhatsApp history. If you're privacy-conscious and prefer to avoid Google, Apple, and other big tech companies, it's an ideal option.
How to organize and manage your local backups
It is not enough to make backup copies, it is important to have them well organized for easy retrieval or transfer whenever you need it. Some helpful tips:
- Rename the backup files by adding the date or contact/group name if you exported them individually.
- Keep a dedicated folder for WhatsApp backups, whether on your computer, SD card, or private cloud.
- Make regular backups, especially before changing phones or updating apps.
- Delete unnecessary media files to save space on your copies.
- Remember that local backups only store the last seven days by default. If you want to keep a longer history, you'll need to manually copy older files.
Tips for restoring WhatsApp without Google Drive
What if you want to recover your chats on a new phone or after a reinstallation, without Google Drive? Here are the steps:
- Install WhatsApp and verify your phone number.
- Copy the backup file from your computer or SD card to the directory /WhatsApp/Databases/ in the internal storage of the new mobile.
- When you launch WhatsApp, it will detect your local backup and offer to restore your chat history automatically.
Local backups can only be restored on the same operating system type (Android to Android). For transfers between Android and iOS, it's essential to use specialized apps like the ones mentioned above.
Email Backups: Pros and Cons
Email is useful for storing individual conversations or chats of legal/documentary value, but it has several limitations:
- Only allows exporting one chat per action.
- It is not possible to import the chat back to WhatsApp.
- Messages are saved in text format, with no structure for restoring in the app.
Screenshots as a quick backup method
Another simple solution to save specific information or visual aspects of a conversation is take screenshotsAlthough this is a manual and non-scalable method, it can be useful for preserving specific evidence or very important messages.
- Access the chat you want to save.
- Use your device's screenshot feature (usually power button + volume down).
- Save the image to a specific folder so that it is always accessible.
It is recommended to organize your captures and, if possible, back up your images to your computer or private cloud storage to avoid loss.
Alternative and combined methods
For more advanced users, there are options such as Sync your local WhatsApp backup folder with alternative services like NextCloud, Syncthing, or external drives.This allows you to always have an up-to-date copy, without having to go through Google Drive or rely on WhatsApp automation.
You can also combine several methods: for example, keep local backups active and, from time to time, copy the most recent file to your PC, your private cloud, or trusted external servers, thus ensuring access to your data even if you lose your phone.
Frequently asked questions and common problems
Where do I find local backups? On Android, they are in the folder WhatsApp / Databases from internal storage (or SD if you chose).
Can I restore data from only the local backup? Yes, as long as you reinstall WhatsApp on the same type of device (Android to Android), the system will detect the file and give you the option to recover your chats.
What happens if I don't have enough space on Google Drive? Don't worry, you can use any of the above methods to back up and restore your data without relying on Google cloud storage.
Can these methods be used with WhatsApp Business? Yes, local copy, export, and PC backup methods are also supported on WhatsApp Business.
There are reliable and easy-to-use alternatives for backing up WhatsApp without Google Drive, for both beginners and advanced users. From local backups on your phone or SD card, to email backups, to advanced solutions like computer backups or encrypted services like Hivenet, there are options for all profiles and needs.
The important thing is to choose the most appropriate one for your situation, make regular backups, and always save your files in safe places. This way, you can change your phone, free up space, and rest assured that your WhatsApp conversations and files will always be safe and under your control.Share the information so that other users know about the topic.