If your WhatsApp backup is stuck on “Preparing,” “Restoring,” or won’t restore at all, it’s usually caused by one of these: wrong account/number, not enough storage, unstable internet, battery restrictions, or a corrupted cloud backup.
The fastest fixes are: confirm you’re using the same phone number + same Google/iCloud account, free up storage, restart the phone, update WhatsApp, and refresh your Google Account/iCloud connection. WhatsApp also requires the same phone number and the same cloud account used to create the backup for a restore to work.
Why WhatsApp Backup Restore Gets Stuck
From what I’ve seen, WhatsApp restores fail or freeze most often when:
- You’re restoring with a different phone number than the one used to make the backup.
- You’re signed into a different Google Account or Apple ID/iCloud than the one used for backup.
- Your phone does not have enough free storage to unpack the backup.
- The backup is stuck while creating/restoring and needs a restart or account refresh.
- You turned on end-to-end encrypted backup and no longer have the password/key/passkey. In that case, you cannot access or restore it.
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Quick Checklist Before You Try Fixes
Do these first, because they solve a big chunk of cases:
- Confirm same phone number
- The phone number used to back up and the phone number used to restore must be the same.
- Confirm same cloud account
- Android: same Google Account that created the backup.
- iPhone: same iCloud account used for WhatsApp backup.
- Free storage
- Keep enough free space on your phone. iPhone restores also need enough space on both iPhone and iCloud.
- Update WhatsApp
- Update from Play Store/App Store, then restart your phone.
Fix WhatsApp Restore Stuck on Android (Google Drive)
1) Restart + Try Restore Again
This sounds basic, but it is officially recommended when backups get stuck.
2) Refresh Google Account Connection
If restore is stuck, log out and back into your Google Account (or remove and re-add the Google account on your phone), then try again. WhatsApp also suggests logging out and back in.
3) Check the Backup Exists in Google Drive
On Google Drive, backups are tied to the phone number + Google account used to create them.
If the backup isn’t there, WhatsApp cannot restore it.
4) Turn Off Battery Optimization for WhatsApp (Very Common Fix)
If WhatsApp is restricted in background, it can freeze on “Preparing” or stall mid-restore. Set WhatsApp to Unrestricted battery mode (Android settings vary by brand).
5) Switch Network and Keep Screen Awake
- Use stable Wi-Fi (or a strong 4G/5G).
- Keep the screen on during the restore and do not switch apps repeatedly.
6) If Restore Keeps Failing: Consider Starting a Fresh Backup (Last Resort)
If you can still access chats on the old phone, create a fresh backup, then restore on the new phone.
Also note: WhatsApp states you can store one backup per Google account, and new backups replace older ones.
Fix WhatsApp Restore Stuck on iPhone (iCloud)
1) Make Sure iCloud Drive Is Enabled for WhatsApp
WhatsApp iPhone backups use iCloud. Confirm you’re using the same iCloud account and that iCloud Drive is available for WhatsApp backup/restore.
2) Free Storage on iPhone and iCloud
WhatsApp notes you need enough free space to restore and low space can cause partial or stuck restores.
3) Restart iPhone and Retry Restore
WhatsApp recommends restarting when backups are stuck.
4) Refresh iCloud Connection
If the restore is stuck for hours:
- Sign out of iCloud and sign back in
- Reboot and try again
5) If Backups Keep Failing or Stuck: Delete iCloud Backup and Create a New One (Last Resort)
WhatsApp indicates that if backing up continues to fail or get stuck, you can delete the WhatsApp backup from iCloud and start a new one, but do this only if you’re sure you can recreate a backup and you understand you may lose the ability to restore that existing backup.
If Restore Is Stuck at a Certain Percentage (10%, 24%, 99%)
This usually points to:
- Storage getting full mid-restore
- Connection switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data
- Background restrictions pausing WhatsApp
- Cloud backup file corruption
Try in this order:
- Check storage again and clear space
- Restart the phone
- Re-check you’re on the same account/number
- Try a different network
Important Note About Encrypted Backups
If you enabled end-to-end encrypted backup, you need the password/encryption key/passkey to restore. Without it, you cannot access the encrypted backup.
FAQs
Why is WhatsApp backup stuck on “Preparing”?
It’s typically due to unstable internet, insufficient storage, or the phone restricting WhatsApp in the background. Restarting the phone and ensuring enough storage often fixes it.
Why can’t WhatsApp find my Google Drive or iCloud backup?
WhatsApp can only restore when you use the same phone number and the same Google/iCloud account used to create the backup.
Do I need free space to restore WhatsApp backup?
Yes. iPhone restores also require enough free space on iPhone and iCloud, otherwise restores can fail or become partial.
Can I restore WhatsApp backup if I changed my number?
Not directly from the old backup unless the phone number matches the backup. WhatsApp restore requires the same number used for backup.
Final Tips to Prevent Backup Restore Problems
- Keep at least a few GB free before backing up/restoring
- Backup on stable Wi-Fi
- Avoid battery saver while backup/restore is running
- Confirm your backup actually exists and is updating regularly (old backups may be treated differently by the platform)
