How to Back up WhatsApp on Samsung Without Google Drive

WhatsApp is a central hub for our communications, filled with precious chats, photos, and videos. While Google Drive offers a convenient cloud backup solution for Android users, there are various reasons you might want to back up WhatsApp on Samsung without Google Drive. Perhaps you have limited Google Drive space, prefer local storage, or are transferring to a non-Android device. This guide will cover several effective methods to secure your WhatsApp data independently.

Why Back Up WhatsApp Without Google Drive?

• Limited Google Drive Space: If your Google Drive is full, you might prefer alternative backup locations.
• Privacy Concerns: Some users prefer keeping their data off cloud servers.
• Faster Local Transfers: Local backups can sometimes be quicker for transferring data to a new phone.
• Specific Transfer Scenarios: Useful when moving chats between operating systems or to a device that doesn’t fully support Google Drive integration for WhatsApp.
• Redundancy: Having multiple backup methods provides extra security for your data.

Essential Preparations Before Backing Up

Before you start, ensure you’re ready:

1. Sufficient Storage: Make sure your Samsung phone (or external storage/PC) has enough free space to store the entire WhatsApp backup.
2. Charged Phone: Ensure your phone has at least 50% battery to avoid interruptions.
3. Reliable Connection (for PC transfer): A stable USB cable and a working PC are needed for direct file transfers.
4. Updated WhatsApp: Ensure your WhatsApp application is updated to the latest version for optimal functionality.

Method 1: Using WhatsApp’s Local Backup (Manual Transfer)

WhatsApp automatically creates daily local backups on your phone’s internal storage (or SD card if configured). You can manually locate and transfer this file. This method is ideal when moving from one Android phone to another.

Step-by-Step:

1. Create a Fresh Local Backup on Your Old Samsung Phone:
   • Open WhatsApp.
   • Go to Settings > Chats > Chat backup.
   • Under “Google Drive settings,” ensure “Back up to Google Drive” is set to “Never” or “Only when I tap ‘Back up'” (if you want to control it).
   • Tap the green “Back Up” button. This will create an up-to-date local backup file.
2. Locate the Backup Files:
   • Open the My Files app (or any file manager app) on your old Samsung phone.
   • Navigate to Internal storage > Android > media > com.whatsapp > WhatsApp > Databases.
   • You will see files named msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt14 (or similar, the number may vary). The latest file is your most recent backup.
   • Also, navigate to Internal storage > Android > media > com.whatsapp > WhatsApp > Media if you want to back up your photos, videos, voice notes, etc.
3. Transfer Files to Your New Samsung Phone (or PC/SD Card):
   • Option A: Via PC (Recommended)
     • Connect your old Samsung phone to your PC using a USB cable.
     • On your phone, choose “File transfer” mode.
     • On your PC, navigate to the WhatsApp folder (Internal storage\Android\media\com.whatsapp\WhatsApp).
     • Copy the entire WhatsApp folder (including Databases and Media subfolders) to a safe location on your PC.
     • Disconnect your old phone.
     • Install WhatsApp on your new Samsung phone, but do NOT open it yet.
     • Connect your new Samsung phone to your PC and choose “File transfer” mode.
     • Navigate to Internal storage > Android > media > com.whatsapp on your new phone. If com.whatsapp or WhatsApp folder doesn’t exist, create it manually or open WhatsApp once and close it to generate the folders.
     • Paste the copied WhatsApp folder from your PC into the com.whatsapp folder on your new phone. Ensure the Databases and Media folders are correctly nested inside.
   • Option B: Via SD Card (if both phones have one)
     • Copy the entire WhatsApp folder (from Internal storage\Android\media\com.whatsapp\WhatsApp) to your old phone’s SD card.
     • Safely eject the SD card and insert it into your new Samsung phone.
     • Use the My Files app on your new phone to copy the WhatsApp folder from the SD card to Internal storage > Android > media > com.whatsapp.
   • Option C: Cloud Storage (non-Google Drive)
     • If you use other cloud services like Dropbox, OneDrive, or Samsung Cloud Drive, you can upload the WhatsApp folder there from your old phone and then download it to your new phone.
4. Restore WhatsApp on Your New Samsung Phone:
   • Ensure the WhatsApp folder (with Databases and Media) is correctly placed on your new phone in Internal storage\Android\media\com.whatsapp.
   • Open WhatsApp on your new Samsung phone.
   • Agree to the terms and conditions.
   • Enter your phone number (it must be the same number used on the old phone).
   • WhatsApp will detect a local backup. Tap “Restore” when prompted.
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restoration.

Method 2: Using Samsung Smart Switch

Samsung Smart Switch is excellent for transferring almost all data from an old phone (Android or iOS) to a new Samsung Galaxy, and it includes WhatsApp chat history for Android to Samsung transfers.

Step-by-Step:

1. On Your Old Phone (Android):
   • Ensure your WhatsApp is updated.
   • Have your old phone fully charged.
2. On Your New Samsung Phone:
   • During the initial setup process, when prompted to “Bring your old data,” select Smart Switch.
   • If you’ve already set up your phone, open the Smart Switch app (usually pre-installed in the Samsung folder, or download from Galaxy Store).
   • Select “Receive data.”
   • Choose “Galaxy/Android” as the old phone type.
   • Select your preferred connection method: “Wireless” or “Cable.” (Cable is usually faster and more reliable for large data).
3. On Your Old Phone:
   • Download and open the Smart Switch app from the Google Play Store.
   • Select “Send data.”
   • Choose the same connection method (Wireless or Cable) as on the new phone.
4. Connect Devices:
   • Wireless: Keep both phones close and confirm the connection code.
   • Cable: Connect the phones using a USB-C to USB-C cable, or an OTG adapter with your old phone’s USB cable.
5. Select Data to Transfer:
   • Smart Switch will scan your old phone for transferable data.
   • Ensure that “Apps” and/or specific app data (often listed as “Chats” or under “Documents and other files”) are selected. Smart Switch is designed to pick up WhatsApp backups automatically.
   • Tap “Transfer.”
6. WhatsApp Specific Steps (Newer Smart Switch versions):
   • For WhatsApp, Smart Switch might now prompt you to open WhatsApp on your old phone and go to Settings > Chats > Chat Transfer.
   • Tap “Start” and follow the on-screen instructions, which might involve scanning a QR code displayed on the new Samsung phone.
   • Keep both phones connected and WhatsApp open on the old phone until the transfer is complete.
7. Complete Transfer: Wait for the transfer to finish. Once done, tap “Done” on both devices.
8. Open WhatsApp on New Phone: Open WhatsApp on your new Samsung. It should detect the transferred data and allow you to restore your chat history.

Method 3: Using Third-Party Tools (Use with Caution)

There are various third-party software tools available for PC that claim to back up and restore WhatsApp chats, sometimes even across platforms (Android to iPhone). These tools often require connecting your phone to a PC.

Caution:

• Security Risks: Be extremely careful about which tools you download. Stick to reputable software providers to avoid malware or data breaches.
• Cost: Many of these tools are paid software.
• Varying Success: Their effectiveness can vary, and they may not always be compatible with the latest WhatsApp updates or Android versions.

While I cannot recommend a specific third-party tool due to varying reliability and security over time, if you choose this route, thoroughly research user reviews and ensure the software is highly regarded.

What Not to Do

• Do not rely on simply copying the WhatsApp folder without a local backup first. Always generate a fresh local backup within the WhatsApp app before attempting a manual transfer.
• Do not use outdated or unverified methods. WhatsApp and Android security features change, making old methods unreliable or unsafe.
• Do not uninstall WhatsApp on your old phone before confirming the successful restore on your new phone.

By understanding these various methods, you can confidently back up WhatsApp on your Samsung device without relying solely on Google Drive, ensuring your cherished conversations and media are always secure and accessible. Remember to always create backups regularly to avoid data loss.