WhatsApp allows users to store their chat history, including media files, on iCloud or Google Drive, but you may notice sometimes that the app keeps backing up the chats.
If WhatsApp keeps backing up on your phone, this happens when you have video files in the chat history that take up much space on the cloud storage and faster internet speed to upload. To fix the issue, go to WhatsApp chat backup settings and toggle off “Include Videos.” Also, free up some iCloud or Google Drive storage by deleting old WhatsApp backups to make room for new ones.
In this article, we’ll explore why WhatsApp keeps backing up when you open the app and what steps you can take to get out of this predicament.
Why is my WhatsApp backup stuck on my phone?
If WhatsApp keeps backing up on your phone, one of the following can be the reason for this issue:
- Excessive WhatsApp backup data.
- Insufficient Wi-Fi bandwidth or slow cellular data connection.
- WhatsApp beta program conflicts with the backup feature.
- Bulky or corrupt app cache data.
- Outdated WhatsApp software.
- Insufficient space left on iCloud or Google Drive for backup.
How do I stop WhatsApp backup from loading?
To stop WhatsApp from backing up and staying stuck in a loading state, try these 7 step-by-step methods to resolve this issue once and for all.
Cancel WhatsApp Backup and Start Again
The first and quickest fix is canceling the WhatsApp backup process and starting it again to see if this fixes the problem. Do these steps:
Android:
- Open “WhatsApp.”
- Tap the three dots.
- Tap “Settings.”
- Select “Chats.”
- Select “Chat Backup.”
- Tap the “X” icon next to the progress bar.
- Wait some time and tap “Back Up” to re-initiate the process.
iPhone:
- Open “WhatsApp.”
- Go to “Settings.”
- Tap “Chats.”
- Choose “Chat Backup.”
- Tap “X” next to the progress bar.
- Tap “Back Up” after a few seconds to start the process again.
Exclude Media Files From Backup
If you have included videos in your WhatsApp backup, the data size becomes huge depending on the video files you have received. As a result, the app keeps backing up when you open WhatsApp to chat with others.
To rectify this issue, exclude the videos from the WhatsApp backup settings on your Android or iPhone with these quick steps:
- Open “WhatsApp.”
- Tap the three dots.
- Tap “Settings.”
- Go to “Chats.”
- Select “Chat Backup.”
- Toggle off “Include Videos.”
Once you exclude the video files, check the notification bar and see if the app still keeps backing up your chats.
Troubleshoot Network Issues
WhatsApp requires a specific network bandwidth to perform the backup efficiently. But if your internet connection is unstable or Wi-Fi has poor signal strength, the app will keep backing up for a long time.
To verify if the internet connection is the culprit behind the issue, run a speed test to check the bandwidth and do the following steps to troubleshoot the connection:
- Switch from cellular/mobile data to a reliable Wi-Fi network.
- Turn on and off the Airplane mode on your phone to refresh the network connection.
- Unplug the Wi-Fi router from the mains for 30 seconds and plug it back in to reboot it.
- Force stop all the network-hogging apps running in the background on your phone.
- Change your Wi-Fi frequency or channel from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz for faster internet speed.
- Ask your service provider to troubleshoot network lags at their end.
TIP: Fixing network problems can also help if WhatsApp keeps saying connecting.
Quit WhatsApp Beta Program
You might have signed up for the WhatsApp beta program to test the new updates before its public release. However, this version often interferes with WhatsApp functionality and causes the app to keep backing up.
In such a case, quit the WhatsApp beta program with these steps:
- Open “Google PlayStore.”
- Tap your Profile.
- Tap “Settings.”
- Select “General.”
- Tap “Account and Device Preferences.”
- Select “Leave Beta Programs.”
- Tap “Leave.”
Next, open WhatsApp on your phone and check if the problem persists.
Free Up Space in iCloud or Google Drive
It is possible your iCloud or Google Drive is running low on storage space due to earlier WhatsApp backups, forcing the app to get stuck in this state as it fails to find the necessary space for storing them.
Therefore, try deleting old backups from iCloud or Drive to free up space for new WhatsApp backups. To do this:
Android:
- Open “Google Drive.”
- Tap the three horizontal lines.
- Choose “Backups.”
- Tap the three dots next to an old WhatsApp backup.
- Tap “Delete Backup” and follow the on-screen prompts to remove the data.
iPhone:
- Go to “Settings.”
- Tap your name.
- Select “iCloud.”
- Select “Manage Storage.”
- Tap “WhatsApp Messenger.”
- Choose “Delete Data.”
- Tap “Delete.”
Afterward, initiate another WhatsApp backup and see if it completes this time.
Clear WhatsApp Cache
When WhatsApp accumulates a lot of cache data on your phone, it often causes the app to malfunction and keep cutting out the calls or successfully completing the chat backups.
What you can do here is to clear the WhatsApp cache data on your phone in the following way:
Android:
- Go to Android “Settings.”
- Tap “Apps.”
- Tap “All Apps.”
- Select “WhatsApp.”
- Choose “Storage.”
- Choose “Clear Cache.”
- Tap “Clear Data.”
- Tap “OK.”
iPhone:
- Head to “Settings.”
- Tap “General.”
- Select “iPhone Storage.”
- Tap “WhatsApp.”
- Select “Offload App.”
- Select “Offload App” again.
Once you clear cache data, check for progress in the WhatsApp backup, and verify the fix.
Note: To get rid of all the junk WhatsApp files and cache data on an iPhone, uninstall and reinstall the app.
Update WhatsApp
Another thing you can try is to update WhatsApp on your phone, which may contain a patch for bugs that are causing the chats to keep backing up. Here’s how:
Android:
- Launch “Play Store.”
- Tap the Profile icon.
- Select “Manage Apps and Devices.”
- Select “Updates Available.”
- Scroll to “WhatsApp.”
- Tap “Update” if available.
iPhone:
- Open “App Store.”
- Tap the Profile icon.
- Go to “Available Updates.”
- Scroll to “WhatsApp.”
- Select “Update.”
After the update is complete, re-open WhatsApp, start the backup process, and confirm everything is working as it should be.
Conclusion
This article explained why WhatsApp keeps backing up the chat history on your phone. We’ve also explored some proven solutions that have helped many users resolve this issue.
One of these fixes should help, and hopefully, you can now get out of the stuck WhatsApp backup loop to save your important WhatsApp chats and videos on iCloud or Google Drive for later use.