If your WhatsApp backup is stuck or keeps failing, the cause is almost always one of four things: not enough storage, a weak connection, the wrong account settings or a huge amount of video. On Android, make sure a Google Account is added and active on the phone, Google Play services is installed and up to date, and you have free space both on the phone and in your Google Account. On iPhone, make sure you are signed in to iCloud, iCloud Drive is on and WhatsApp is allowed to use it, and your iCloud has room. Then connect to strong Wi-Fi, plug in the charger, turn off Include videos for the first backup and start it again from Settings > Chats > Chat backup. This guide walks through every fix.
Why WhatsApp backups get stuck
- Storage is full: WhatsApp needs space in your Google Account or iCloud, and also free space on the phone while it prepares the backup.
- The connection is weak or switching: a large backup can stall for hours on slow or unstable Wi-Fi.
- Videos make the backup huge: years of videos can turn a small backup into many gigabytes.
- Account settings are wrong: no Google Account selected, iCloud Drive turned off, or WhatsApp not allowed to use iCloud.
- Battery or data saving modes pause background uploads.
- Outdated apps: an old version of WhatsApp or Google Play services can cause errors.
Quick checklist
- Connect to strong, stable Wi-Fi and keep the phone charging.
- Check free space on the phone and in Google storage or iCloud.
- Update WhatsApp (and Google Play services on Android).
- Turn off Battery Saver or Low Power Mode during the backup.
- Turn off Include videos and try again.
- Restart the phone and start the backup manually.
Fix a stuck WhatsApp backup on Android
Step 1: Check the Google Account
WhatsApp’s help center says an Android backup needs a Google Account activated on your phone. In WhatsApp, open the menu, then Settings > Chats > Chat backup > Google Account and make sure the right account is selected. If none is shown, tap Add account and sign in. If you recently changed your Google password, open your phone’s Settings, find Accounts, and sign in to the Google Account again.
Step 2: Update Google Play services and WhatsApp
Google Play services must be installed for backups to work. Open the Play Store, search for WhatsApp and tap Update if available. To check Google Play services, go to your phone’s Settings > Apps, find Google Play services, and open its app details page to see whether an update is offered.
Step 3: Free up storage on the phone and in your Google Account
WhatsApp needs enough space on your device and in your Google Account. WhatsApp backups on Android count toward your Google storage, which is shared with Gmail, Drive and Photos (15 GB free). Check your usage at one.google.com/storage. If you are close to the limit, read Google Drive storage full but no files and how to free up Google Drive and iCloud storage.
Inside WhatsApp, go to Settings > Storage and data > Manage storage to delete large videos and forwarded files you do not need. A smaller chat history backs up faster.
Step 4: Check the network setting
WhatsApp backups can be large, and WhatsApp recommends Wi-Fi to avoid mobile data charges. In Chat backup, check the Back up using cellular setting. If it is off and your Wi-Fi is weak or turns off when the screen sleeps, the backup will pause. Test your Wi-Fi with our free internet speed test, and if it says connected with no internet, see Wi-Fi connected but no internet.
Step 5: Turn off Include videos and back up manually
- Go to Settings > Chats > Chat backup.
- Turn off Include videos.
- Tap Back up and keep WhatsApp open with the phone on the charger.
Once the first backup finishes, you can turn videos back on. Later backups are usually faster because they only add new content.
Step 6: Turn off battery saving for WhatsApp
Battery Saver and app sleeping features can stop uploads in the background. Turn off Battery Saver during the backup. On many phones you can also open Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Battery and allow unrestricted background use.
Fix a stuck WhatsApp backup on iPhone
Step 1: Check iCloud settings
- Open Settings, tap your name, then iCloud.
- Make sure iCloud Drive is turned on.
- In the list of apps using iCloud, make sure WhatsApp is turned on.
Make sure you are signed in with the same Apple Account you want to use for backups. If you use several, the backup goes to the one signed in on this iPhone.
Step 2: Make room in iCloud and on the iPhone
WhatsApp needs more free space than the backup itself, both in iCloud and on your iPhone, because it prepares the backup on the phone before uploading. Check iCloud in Settings > [your name] > iCloud and the phone in Settings > General > iPhone Storage. If the phone is full, our guide on iPhone storage full after deleting photos shows quick ways to free space.
Step 3: Use Wi-Fi, power and no Low Power Mode
Turn off Low Power Mode in Settings > Battery, connect to Wi-Fi and plug in your iPhone. Keep WhatsApp open on the backup screen until it finishes. If your iPhone uses mobile data for iCloud, check that WhatsApp is allowed to use cellular data in Settings > Apps > WhatsApp.
Step 4: Turn off Include Videos and try again
In WhatsApp, go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup, turn off Include Videos, then tap Back Up Now. If the progress bar is frozen, force close WhatsApp, restart the iPhone and try again.
Stuck at a percentage? What each case means
| What you see | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Stuck on “Preparing backup” | Not enough space on the phone or a very large chat history | Free phone storage, delete big media, turn off videos |
| Stuck at the same percentage for hours | Weak or interrupted connection | Use strong Wi-Fi, keep the phone charging and the app open |
| “Couldn’t complete backup” | Account or storage problem | Check the Google Account or iCloud settings and free space |
| Backup finishes but is very old | Automatic backups are off | Set backups to Daily or Weekly |
Should you use an end-to-end encrypted backup?
WhatsApp lets you protect your backup with a password or a 64-digit key under Settings > Chats > Chat backup > End-to-end encrypted backup. This keeps the backup private, but WhatsApp warns that you must remember the password or key, because it is the only way to restore the backup. If you turn it on, store the password in a password manager. Our guide on how to create a strong password can help.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a WhatsApp backup take?
It depends on the size and your connection. A small backup takes a few minutes; a first backup with years of videos can take hours. If it stays at the same percentage for a long time, check your Wi-Fi and storage.
Does WhatsApp backup count toward Google storage?
Yes. On Android, WhatsApp backups count toward the storage in your Google Account, shared with Gmail, Drive and Photos.
Can WhatsApp restore my chats if I lose my backup?
No. WhatsApp says your chat history is not stored on its servers, so it cannot restore chats for you. Keeping a working backup is the only way to protect them.
Can I move chats to a new phone without a backup?
Yes. WhatsApp’s chat transfer lets you move chats directly between phones. See how to transfer data to a new phone.
Get your backup working
Start with storage, Wi-Fi and power, then check your Google Account or iCloud settings. If it is still stuck, turn off videos for the first backup. Most stuck backups finish after these steps.
Sources
- WhatsApp Help Center: How to back up your chat history (Android)
- WhatsApp Help Center: How to restore your chat history
- Google One Help: How your Google storage works
This article is based on the official documentation and reporting listed in the sources above, checked on November 4, 2026. Features and prices change, so confirm details on the official pages before you buy. ShokokoTech does not accept payment for coverage. Read our editorial policy.
