[3 Fixes] WhatsApp Not Detecting Local Backup

While Google Drive is commonly used to back up data, this option may not be available to everyone. Thankfully, WhatsApp’s local backup feature provides a reliable alternative.

You can also restore your WhatsApp messages using the local backup. What if you try to restore your messages using it but see that WhatsApp is not detecting local backup? Will you lose your last lifeline?

Not anymore! In this article, we’ll show you different tried & tested methods to fix WhatsApp not detecting the local backup issue.

Before we dive into the solutions, let’s take a moment to understand why this issue occurs.

Part 1: Why is WhatsApp not Detecting Local Backup?

Knowing the possible reasons for “WhatsApp not detecting local backup” is crucial. So that you can take some steps to prevent it from happening in the future.

Here are some reasons that may be the culprit behind this issue.

• Internal Storage Permissions

The first thing you do is confirm that your WhatsApp app has the authorization to access your internal storage. Without this permission, the app won’t be able to detect your backup files.

To check your internal storage permission, long-press your WhatsApp icon. Now go to App Info > Permissions > Storage. You can see here whether you’ve allowed WhatsApp to access storage.

• WhatsApp App Version

WhatsApp has updated its latest version so that it always tries to restore your Google Drive backup. And if you refuse the prompt, then instead of detecting a local backup, the restoration process is stopped. Then you end with empty chats! To counter this cause, you’ve got to become a bit technical.

• Wrong Backup Directory

Another reason for this issue is that you’ve placed the previous local backup at the wrong trajectory. For WhatsApp to detect your local backup, it must be placed in a specific folder in your storage or SD card.

The path in Android 12 or later versions should be Internal Storage > Android > Media > com.WhatsApp > WhatsApp > Database. While in Android 11 or older versions, you must place the local backup in the sd card > WhatsApp > Database.

• Wrong Phone Number

One possible explanation is that you’re attempting to log in with a different phone number. Your chats are linked to your specific account, so restoring conversations from one account to another will not succeed.

• Corrupted Backup

It’s also possible that your backup file has been corrupted. In that case, it is impossible to restore this corrupted backup to your WhatsApp

Now we will move toward the fixes that can resolve this frustrating issue in no time.

Part 2: 3 Ways to Fix WhatsApp Not Detecting Local Backup Issue

Considering all the above reasons, here are three surefire ways to fix the “WhatsApp not detecting local backup” problem. Make sure you try every single one to get rid of this headache for sure.

Fix 1. Back-Up your WhatsApp to Local Drive Again

One straightforward and effortless solution is creating a new local WhatsApp backup. This method is particularly helpful if your previous backup has been corrupted. Or if a program, such as an anti-virus, has interfered with the local backup.

Just follow this stepwise guide to make a new local backup.

Step 1. Open your WhatsApp messenger app and tap the three-dot icon at the top right corner. Then open “Settings” from the dropdown.

Step 2. After that, tap on Chats > Chat backup.

Step 3. Hit the “Backup” option here, and WhatsApp will make a local backup on your storage before backing up data on Google Drive.

Now try to use this newly created local backup and see if WhatsApp detects it in your new phone. You wouldn’t face the problem if the previous backup files were corrupted.

But if you still encounter the same problem, let’s try to fix it using technical operations.

Fix 2. Fixing Local Backup Issues Using Technical Operations

If you’re attempting to restore a local backup in the latest version of WhatsApp normally, you may encounter some roadblocks. But that doesn’t mean we haven’t got any solution for it. You just need to get a little bit technical. And you’ll quickly get your WhatsApp to detect the local backup instead of the Google Drive Backup.

Here are the steps to help you fix the local backup issue using technical operations.

Step 1. Go to the file manager on your old android phone and open Internal Storage. Now tap on Android > Media > com.whatsapp > WhatsApp > Database. Here you will see the files like “msgstore.db.crypt14” and “msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt14″. Copy them!

Step 2. Now create a similar path (Android > Media > com.WhatsApp > WhatsApp > Database) in your new Android phone. Once done, transfer the copied files here using a computer or any other transfer tool. Note: The path used for Android 11 or older versions will be sd card > WhatsApp > Database.

Step 3. Open the Play Store on your new phone and install WhatsApp Messenger. Once the installation is complete, launch it.

Step 4. Click on “AGREE AND CONTINUE” and enter the same phone number. Then verify the number by entering the verification code you receive.

Step 5. When you encounter the Google Drive access request in WhatsApp, simply ignore the message and exit the app. Next, switch to Airplane mode on your phone.

Step 6. When you reopen WhatsApp, keep an eye out for the message saying that scanning is taking longer than usual.

Step 7. Once you’ve skipped the message, navigate to the next screen, where you’ll find your local backup. Just tap “Restore.” Then disable Airplane mode and switch on either WiFi or cellular data.

Step 8. When a message regarding Google Drive appears, just ignore it. After reopening the app, you can quickly access your old and new WhatsApp messages.

But if this method fails to solve the issue, let’s see what more we can do.

Fix 3. Make Sure Everything Is Good

The third and last method to fix “WhatsApp not detecting local backup” is ensuring everything is good during our process. As we discussed in Part 1 of our article, ensure that WhatsApp Messenger has access to your storage. Also, verify that your local backup is located correctly and you’re using the same phone number as your backup.

If everything is set, your WhatsApp will detect the local backup.

And that’s it! These were some ways to help you transfer your WhatsApp data using a local backup.

Now let’s move forward and see how to transfer WhatsApp data from android to iOS without local backup.

Part 3: Transfer WhatsApp Data without Local Backup

Remember that the above methods only work if you use both Android devices. If you transfer WhatsApp local backup from an android device to an iOS device, then we are back to square one. WhatsApp will still not detect your local backup. So, is there no way to transfer our WhatsApp data from Android to iOS?

Of course, there is!!!

And it’s the use of a third party tool, AnyTrans, one of the world’s leading iOS manager. It is a data manager that gives you complete control over your iOS data. Not only can you transfer WhatsApp chats from Android to iOS, but you can also create a backup of your iOS data. On top of that, you can organize & export your photos from iOS to a computer.

And with its simple & intuitive interface, you don’t need any technical skills to get started! Isn’t it amazing? So if you are ready to transfer your WhatsApp data without local backup, here’s a step-by-step guide.

Step 1. Download AnyTrans on your computer > Connect your Android and iPhone to the computer via USB cables > Click on the “Social Messages Manager” mode.

Step 2. Click on WhatsApp to Device > Then tap on the “Transfer Now” option to go on.

Step 3. Select your Android to be the source phone and your new iPhone to be the target phone. Then you need to click on the “Next” button to back up your WhatsApp. 

Step 4. After that, AnyTrans will start to transfer WhatsApp data to your iPhone.

Final Words

WhatsApp not detecting local backup can be frustrating. But it’s time to bid farewell to that issue! With the solutions provided in this article, you can quickly fix this issue & recover your valuable WhatsApp data.

And if you are trying to transfer WhatsApp data from Android to iOS operating systems, you don’t need the local backup. Just use the AnyTrans, follow our stepwise guide, and you can use your WhatsApp with all your precious messages intact.