How to Backup and Restore GB WhatsApp Chats and Media
Your chats are the most valuable part of GB WhatsApp. Updates, phone changes and occasional bans all put them at risk if you don’t have a good backup. Unlike official WhatsApp, GB WhatsApp can’t back up to Google Drive, so understanding local backups is essential.
This guide explains how backups work, where they’re stored, how to restore them and how to keep a copy that survives anything.
How GB WhatsApp Backups Work
GB WhatsApp saves backups on your phone’s storage. A backup includes an encrypted database of your messages and a separate folder for media such as photos, videos, voice notes and documents.
| Part | What it contains | Typical folder |
|---|---|---|
| Databases | All your chats and message history | Databases |
| Media | Photos, videos, audio, documents | Media |
| Backups | Settings and some app data | Backups |
Official WhatsApp backs up to Google Drive, but GB WhatsApp can’t, because Google Drive backups are linked to the official app. That’s why copying your local backup somewhere safe is so important.
How to Back Up GB WhatsApp
- Open GB WhatsApp.
- Tap the three-dot menu, then Settings.
- Tap Chats, then Chat backup.
- Tap Back up.
- Wait for the progress bar to finish.
Do this before every update, before changing phones and at least once a week.
Where the Backup Is Stored
The folder location depends on your Android version.
| Android version | Typical location |
|---|---|
| Android 11 and newer | Internal storage, Android, media, the GB WhatsApp package folder, then GBWhatsApp |
| Android 10 and older | Internal storage, GBWhatsApp |
Open your file manager and look inside the GBWhatsApp folder. You’ll see Databases, Media and Backups subfolders. The Databases folder contains files with names like msgstore.db.crypt14 along with dated copies.
If you can’t find it, search your file manager for “GBWhatsApp” or for “msgstore”.
How to Keep a Safe Copy
Since there’s no cloud backup, make your own:
- Computer: connect your phone with a USB cable and copy the whole GBWhatsApp folder.
- Cloud storage: compress the folder into a ZIP and upload it to Google Drive, OneDrive or similar.
- SD card: copy the folder to an SD card if your phone has one.
A copy outside your phone protects you if the phone is lost, reset or if Android deletes app data during an uninstall.
How to Restore GB WhatsApp Chats
- Make sure the GBWhatsApp folder, with its Databases subfolder, is in the correct location for your Android version.
- Install GB WhatsApp, or reinstall it if needed.
- Open the app and verify the same phone number you used when making the backup.
- When GB WhatsApp says it found a backup, tap Restore.
- Wait for messages to load, then tap Next.
- Media continues loading in the background.
Restoring only works with the same phone number. If you changed numbers, use WhatsApp’s change number feature before switching.
Restoring an Older Backup
GB WhatsApp keeps several dated database copies. To restore an older one:
- Open the Databases folder.
- Rename the current msgstore.db.crypt14 file to something else, such as msgstore-latest.db.crypt14.
- Rename the dated file you want, such as msgstore-2026-09-20.1.db.crypt14, to msgstore.db.crypt14.
- Reinstall or clear app data, verify your number and restore.
The file extension number may differ, such as crypt12 or crypt15, depending on your version. Keep it the same when renaming.
Common Restore Problems
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No restore option appears | Backup in the wrong folder | Move it to the correct location |
| Restore fails | Different phone number | Use the original number |
| Chats restored but no photos | Media folder missing | Copy the Media folder too |
| Restore stuck at a percentage | Large backup or low storage | Free up space and wait |
| Backup from a much newer version | Version mismatch | Install the same or newer build |
Detailed fixes are in our guide to GB WhatsApp backup not found.
Moving Between Apps and Phones
- Switching from official WhatsApp: see how to transfer WhatsApp chats to GB WhatsApp.
- Going back to official WhatsApp: see how to move from GB WhatsApp to WhatsApp.
- Getting a new phone: see how to transfer GB WhatsApp to a new phone.
A Simple Backup Schedule
| How often | What to do |
|---|---|
| Weekly | Tap Back up inside GB WhatsApp |
| Monthly | Copy the GBWhatsApp folder to a computer or cloud storage |
| Before every update | Fresh backup plus a copy off the phone |
| Before changing phones | Full folder copy including Media |
Set a phone reminder so you don’t forget.
Reduce Backup Size
Large backups take longer to copy. Before copying, clear forwarded videos and memes you don’t need in Settings, Storage and data, Manage storage. Your chats stay intact, but the Media folder shrinks.
Encrypted Backups
GB WhatsApp’s backup files are encrypted, which is why you need the same phone number to restore them. You can’t open msgstore files on a computer to read chats. That protects your privacy if someone gets hold of the files, but it also means a backup is only useful inside the app with your number.
Conclusion
GB WhatsApp backups live on your phone, not in the cloud, so you’re responsible for keeping them safe. Back up weekly, back up before every update, and keep a copy of the GBWhatsApp folder on a computer or cloud storage. With that habit, you can recover from updates, bans and phone changes without losing a single message.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. GB WhatsApp only creates local backups. Copy the GBWhatsApp folder to Google Drive or a computer manually for safekeeping.
On Android 11 and newer it’s usually in Internal storage, Android, media, inside the GB WhatsApp package folder. On older Android it’s in a GBWhatsApp folder at the top of storage.
No. You need to verify the same number used to create the backup.
The Media folder wasn’t copied. Make sure both Databases and Media are in the GBWhatsApp folder.
At least once a week, and always right before updating or changing phones.