Whether you’re upgrading to a new Phone or simply ensuring your valuable chats and media are safely backed up, Google Drive offers a reliable solution. However, you cannot directly download WhatsApp backup files from Google Drive.
In this article, we’ll guide you step-by-step through the process of using Google Drive to back up and download your WhatsApp backup to restore your WhatsApp without data loss.
Why do you need to download a WhatsApp backup from Google Drive?
1. Setting up a new device. When installing WhatsApp on a new Android phone, restoring from Google Drive ensures you continue your chats seamlessly.
2. Recovering Lost WhatsApp Chats after your phone was lost, damaged, or reset.
3. Creating a Local WhatsApp Backup for security, auditing, or archival purposes
4. Extract backup files for transferring chats outside WhatsApp.
Can I Download WhatsApp Backup from Google Drive?
No, we can not download the WhatsApp backup from Google Drive directly because the phone or computer cannot open Google Drive’s proprietary storage format. To restore or extract chats, use WhatsApp’s restore feature or trusted third-party tools like Tenorshare iCareFone Transfer for safe access.
How to Download WhatsApp Backup from Google Drive to PC/Mac Without Data Loss?
Tenorshare iCareFone Transfer is a simple WhatsApp transfer tool that can help you download WhatsApp backups from Google Drive without WhatsApp, and it works for both Android and iPhone, even when Google Drive or iCloud isn’t available. It makes moving all of your contacts, messages, photos, videos, apps, and more a breeze—especially when you’re getting a new phone.
Key feature of iCareFone Transfer:
- Allows viewing WhatsApp backup on Google Drive.
- Download backup to PC and recover deleted files, images, videos, and attachments.
- Useful for Android-to-PC backup extraction.
- Facilitates cross-platform WhatsApp backup and restore.
Steps to download WhatsApp backup Data with Tenorshare iCareFone transfer:
Step 1. Download and launch iCareFone WhatsApp Transferon your PC or Mac.
Step 2. Click Backup, then choose Download WhatsApp backup from Google Drive to computer. Connect your iPhone to the PC.
Step 3. Log in to Google Drive and Choose Backup Files.
Step4. Verify WhatsApp Account and download your WhatsApp backup from Google Drive to your computer. Wait for the process to finish.
How to Restore WhatsApp Backup from Google Drive to iPhone 17/16 for Free?
Restoring your device from Google Drive is a free way to get your WhatsApp data back. But WhatsApp backups can only be restored during the initial setup. If you skipped or completed setup without restoring, uninstall and reinstall the app to enable the restore option again.
Steps to restore WhatsApp for free:
Step 1: Reinstall WhatsApp on your phone and verify the same number used for the backup.
Step 2. Tap Restore when prompted to recover chats and media
Step3. Then tap Next to finish restoring your WhatsApp chat media files on the device.
If you want to view the backup files on Google Drive， here are the steps:
Step1. Go to Google Drive Backups and sign in.
Step2. Locate your WhatsApp backup (usually named “WhatsApp [phone number] backup”).
Step3. Make a copy, then right-click the copy and select Download to save it locally.
Note: Make sure to use the same Phone number used to create the backup and log into the same Google account.
How to Fix Unable to download WhatsApp backup from Google Drive?
Some users find that even a valid WhatsApp backup on Google Drive cannot be restored, often due to Google’s 2-step verification.
Steps to Restore WhatsApp Backup:
1. In WhatsApp settings, clear cache and data。
2 . Uninstall WhatsApp and Reinstall from the Play Store
3. Open WhatsApp and skip the “restore from other device” option.
4. The backup should now be detected and restored correctly.
Tip: To avoid potential issues, consider making your own monthly backups. Tools like Tenirshare iCareFone Transfer can help retrieve lost WhatsApp backup data, but you must temporarily disable 2-step verification.
How to Restore WhatsApp Backup From Google Drive to iPhone 17/16?
Method 1. Simple Way to Restore WhatsApp Backup From Google Drive to iPhone 17/16 via Tenorshare iCareFone
You can restore a WhatsApp backup from Google Drive to iPhone 17/16, but not directly. Most transfer methods require resetting your iPhone 17/16. With Tenorshare iCareFone Transfer, you can move WhatsApp backup from Google Drive to iPhone 17/16 without resetting, making the process easier and safer.
Step 1: Install and open iCareFone Transfer on your computer, then log into Google Drive and select Backup.
Step 2: Pick the WhatsApp backup you want, and iCareFone will download it. Verify your WhatsApp account.
Step 3: iCareFone prepares the backup data from Google Drive.
Step 4: Connect your iPhone 17/16, log into WhatsApp, verify your account, and skip iCloud restore to complete the transfer.
Method 2. Restore WhatsApp Backup From Google Drive to iPhone 17/16 via WhatsApp transfer
Restore WhatsApp directly from Google Drive to an iPhone 17/16. The traditional method requires first restoring on Android, then transferring to iPhone 17/16, which is complicated.
A faster, simpler solution is to use WhatsApp Transfer. It lets you move WhatsApp chats from Android or Google Drive straight to iPhone 17/16 without resetting your device, saving time and keeping your chat history intact.
Typical Android Method:
- Install WhatsApp on your Android phone.
- Log in with your number and verify with the code.
- When prompted, tap Restore to recover your chats.
This process is long and inconvenient if you want your WhatsApp chat history on an iPhone 17/16. A much simpler solution is to transfer WhatsApp chats directly from Android to iPhone 17/16 without using Google Drive.
Next Step: Use WhatsApp Transfer to restore your Google Drive backup to iPhone 17/16 effortlessly.
A couple of things to keep in mind when you’re restoring your WhatsApp backup:
- Same phone number: You’ve gotta be using the same number on your new phone, otherwise the backup won’t work.
- Google account: Make sure you’re signed in with the exact same Google account you used to make the backup.
- Android to Android: This trick is really just for moving stuff between Android phones.
- Replacing chats: Heads up—when you restore an older backup, it’s gonna wipe out any new messages you’ve already got on the new phone.
FQA of Download WhatsApp Backup from Google Drive
Q1: Can I download my WhatsApp backup directly from Google Drive?
A1: No. Google Drive stores WhatsApp backups in a special format, so you can’t open or download them directly. You’ll need to restore through WhatsApp itself or use a tool like Tenorshare iCareFone Transfer.
Q2: Can I restore my WhatsApp backup from Google Drive to an iPhone 17/16?
A2: Not directly. Google Drive backups are meant for Android devices. To move data to an iPhone 17/16, you’ll need third-party tools like iCareFone Transfer.
Q3: What if I can’t restore my WhatsApp backup from Google Drive?
A3: Try clearing WhatsApp cache/data, reinstalling the app, and logging in again with the same number and Google account. If 2-step verification is enabled, you may need to turn it off temporarily.
Q4: Do I need the same phone number to restore WhatsApp from Google Drive?
A4: Yes. WhatsApp requires the exact same number and Google account used when the backup was created.
Conclusion
Google Drive is a safe and reliable way to back up WhatsApp chats and media, but it comes with limitations—backups can’t be directly downloaded or opened, and they only work smoothly between Android devices. Third-party solutions like Tenorshare iCareFone Transfer make the process much easier by letting you view, download, and restore backups across platforms. Whether you’re setting up a new device, recovering lost chats, or keeping extra backups for safety.
