WhatsApp Restore from iCloud Gets Stuck? 5 Troubleshooting Tips

by J. Robertson Macaulay D. Young Updated On Oct 7, 2023 Published On May 19, 2022 WhatsApp

Restoring your old data is one of the most important steps when setting up a new device and most of the time the process works with no issues.

But some people report that while they can restore most data from an iCloud backup, they find that restoring WhatsApp data doesn't work.

The most common symptom of this problem, is a WhatsApp restore process that starts well enough, but then gets stuck halfway through.

If you are experiencing this or something similar, this article will show you how you can fix a WhatsApp restore process that is stuck.

whatsapp restore from icloud stuck

Why is My WhatsApp Restore from iCloud Getting Stuck?

There are several reasons why your WhatsApp data restore from iCloud is not working as it should. The most common include the following:

  • You may not be using the same Apple ID that you sued to create the WhatsApp backup on the old device.
  • The restore process can also get stuck because of an internet connection that is not stable.
  • You might not have adequate storage space available on iCloud.

Whatever the reason, the following solutions should be able to help:

Try the BasicTroubleshooting Steps First

The following are the things to check if you are having trouble restoring an iCloud backup:

  • Ensure that you are using the same phone number and iCloud account that was used to create the backup.
  • If the backup was end-to-end encrypted, make sure that you are using the correct password.
  • Make sure that your device has adequate storage to restore the backup. You need to have at least 2.05 times the space available on the iPhone and iCloud account than the size of the backup.
  • If you used iCloud Drive to create the backup, you will only be able to restore the backup on iOS 9 and later.
  • If iCloud Drive is turned on for any other device using the same Apple ID, you will not be able to restore the data on your iPhone unless it is running iOS 9 or later.
  • Try connecting your device to a different network.
  • Go to Settings > Your Name > iCloud and turn off iCloud Drive. Wait a few seconds and turn it back on.
  • Sign out of iCloud, restart your device and then sign back into iCloud to attempt the restore again.

Update WhatsApp to the Latest Version

If the version of WhatsApp you are using on your device is outdated, you may experience problems restoring your data.

A quick update of the app from the App Store should fix the problem. Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Open the App Store on your iPhone and tap on your photo at the top-right.

Step 2: Scroll down to see pending app updates. Tap on "Update" next to WhatsApp or select "Update All" to update all apps with pending updates.

Update WhatsApp to the Latest Version

Update Your iPhone to the Latest Version

You may also face a lot of compatibility issues if the version of iOS running on your device is outdated.

Here's how to update your device to the latest version:

Step 1: Open the Settings app on the iPhone and then select "General."

Step 2: Tap "Software Update."

Step 3: if an update is available, tap "Install" and wait for your device to install the latest version of iOS.

Update Your iPhone to the Latest Version

Force Restart Your iPhone

Force restarting your iPhone will fix many of the common system errors that could be keeping you from restoring a WhatsApp backup to your device.

Here's how to force restart your iPhone depending on the model:

iPhone 6S and earlier models: Press and hold both the Home and the Power buttons at the same time. Continue to press both buttons until the Apple logo appears.

Force Restart iPhone 6S

iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: Press and hold both the Volume Down and the Power buttons at the same time. Let go when you see the Apple Logo.

Force Restart iPhone 7

iPhone 8 and newer models: Press the Volume Up button, release it and then press the Volume Down button and release it quickly. Then press and hold the Power button. Continue to hold it until the Apple logo appears.

Force Restart iPhone 8

Try Alternative Way to Restore WhatsApp

If you are still unable to restore WhatsApp from iCloud, then it may be time to consider using a different WhatsApp backup and restore solution.

One of the best ways to successfully back up and restore WhatsApp is to use this WhatsApp Transfer.

This is a WhatsApp transfer solution that can be used to backup WhatsApp to your computer, restore the back to your device, and even transfer WhatsApp from one device to another.

Backing up WhatsApp using this WhatsApp Transfer is a very simple process: you just need to connect the device to a computer with this tool installed on it and click "Backup WhatsApp messages." In the same way, you can easily restore the backup to your device.

The following is a breakdown of the different ways that you can use the WhatsApp Transfer to manage WhatsApp data on your device:

  • You can use it to backup and restore WhatsApp by simply connecting the device to the computer. The restore process will not overwrite existing data on the device.
  • It can also be used to export WhatsApp chats in various formats including HTML, PDF, and Excel files, ideal for when you want to print out or share the chats.
  • It is also one of the best ways to transfer WhatsApp data from one device to another, even when the devices are on different platforms such as Android to iPhone or iPhone to Android.
  • It is a safe solution that will not affect other data on your device.

Try Alternative Way to Restore WhatsApp

Conclusion

It is not uncommon to encounter several problems when trying to restore WhatsApp from an iCloud backup. When that happens, try the solutions that we have outlined above and you should be able to fix the issue once and for all.

But if you want to avoid this problem in the future, you may want to invest in a different solution to back up and restore WhatsApp. The best is this WhatsApp Transfer.

J. Robertson Macaulay D. Young

Mako is a technical writer with a passion for all things tech. Whether you're wondering about how to fix your iPhone or Android device or trying to get something to work in your settings, Mako is your go-to for professional help. He loves writing, testing solutions, and most of all, making sure his research is factually accurate.

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