Practical Guide to Restore WhatsApp Backup from Google Drive to iPhone

Restoring a WhatsApp backup from Google Drive to an iPhone can be difficult because Android and iOS use different backup systems. Android uses Google Drive, while iPhones restore WhatsApp chats through iCloud. This difference prevents a direct restore.

Still, you have two practical ways to restore WhatsApp backup from Google Drive to iPhone. iToolab WatsGo for Android transfers the backup without resetting your iPhone. Alternatively, Apple’s free Move to iOS method transfers restored Android chats during the setup of a new or erased iPhone.

Part 1. Can You Restore WhatsApp Backup from Google Drive to iPhone?

Before you restore WhatsApp from Google Drive to iPhone, it is important to understand how WhatsApp backups work differently across Android and iOS.

Why Google Drive WhatsApp Backup Cannot Restore Natively on iPhone

WhatsApp uses different backup systems on Android and iOS, preventing a direct Google Drive restore on iPhone. Android stores WhatsApp backups with your Google account, while iPhones restore chat history through iCloud. Samsung’s WhatsApp backup guide explains that restoration works between devices using the same operating system. Google also treats WhatsApp data as a third-party app backup rather than an importable file.

Google Drive Backup vs. iCloud WhatsApp Backup

Google Drive and iCloud handle WhatsApp backups differently. The table below explains why a Google Drive backup cannot be restored directly on an iPhone:

Google Drive Restore vs Android to iPhone WhatsApp Transfer

The points below explain how iPhone restore WhatsApp from Google Drive differs from transferring active WhatsApp chats from Android, including the requirements and limitations of each process.

1. Where the Data Comes From: A Google Drive restore retrieves WhatsApp chats saved in the cloud. An Android-to-iPhone transfer moves chats currently available inside WhatsApp on Android.
2. How the iPhone Gets the Chats: An iPhone cannot restore a Google Drive backup directly. Instead, the official method transfers supported WhatsApp data from the Android device to the iPhone.
3. When Google Drive is Involved: Google Drive matters when the required chats exist only in a backup. Restore them on Android first before using the official WhatsApp transfer.
4. When Move to iOS is Involved: Move to iOS handles the Android-to-iPhone transfer during setup. Apple requires the receiving iPhone to be new or erased first.

Part 2. How to Import WhatsApp Backup from Google Drive to iPhone with WatsGo (No Reset)

Restoring the backup on Android first and resetting the iPhone are not always necessary. iToolab WatsGo for Android can access the WhatsApp backup directly from the Google account where it is stored. After downloading the selected backup data on Android, it transfers the chats to WhatsApp on your existing iPhone without requiring a factory reset.

This approach provides more flexibility when you import WhatsApp backup from Google Drive to iPhone. WatsGo supports both standard WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business transfers. It also lets you choose which backed-up data to download, giving you more control over what moves to the iPhone.

Key Features

1. Transfers WhatsApp directly from Android to iPhone without requiring an existing Google Drive backup.
2. Moves complete WhatsApp chat history from an iPhone to a compatible Android device.
3. Transfers SMS messages and call logs from Android directly to the target iPhone.
4. Moves photos, videos, documents, and other media between phones in multiple supported formats.
5. Supports devices running Android 9 or later and iOS 13 through iOS 27.

Guide to Transfer the Backup via iToolab WatsGo for Android

Follow the steps below to complete the iPhone restore WhatsApp from Google Drive process and transfer your chats successfully:

Step 1 Choose Google Drive to iOS and Sign In

Open WatsGo on the Android phone, tap “Transfer WhatsApp,” and select “Google Drive to iOS.” Sign in to the Google account holding the backup and tap “Next.”

Step 2 Download the Backup and Verify the Key

Select the WhatsApp data you want to restore and tap “Download.” Once downloaded, enter the backup’s 64-digit encryption key to verify it.

Step 3 Connect the iPhone and Start the Transfer

Connect both phones using a USB cable and start the transfer. Once “Data Transferred Successfully” appears, open WhatsApp on the iPhone.

Part 3. How to Restore WhatsApp from Google Drive to iPhone with Move to iOS (Need Reset)

Apple’s Move to iOS provides a free method to restore WhatsApp from Google Drive to iPhone, but the process involves several stages. You must first restore the Google Drive backup on Android, transfer the restored chats during iPhone setup, and finish the WhatsApp import on iOS. The sections below explain each stage in detail.

1. Restore the Google Drive WhatsApp Backup on Android First

Move to iOS transfers WhatsApp chats already available on the Android phone, so restore your Google Drive backup there first. Sign in with the Google account containing the backup and verify the same phone number. WhatsApp must detect and restore the backup during setup. Once the chats and media are available on Android, you can prepare them for the Android-to-iPhone transfer. Follow these steps to complete the restoration process:

Step 1 Sign in on the Android phone with the Google account holding the backup. Install and open WhatsApp from the Play Store, tap “Agree and Continue,” and verify your phone number.

Step 2 Tap “Continue and allow contacts and media access. After that, choose the “Restore from Backup” and “Continue” options. Choose “Restore” when WhatsApp finds the backup, not “Skip.” Enter your password, passkey, or key if asked, tap “Next,” and stay on Wi-Fi while media downloads.

2. Transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone During Setup

Once the Google Drive backup is restored on Android, you can import WhatsApp backup from Google Drive to iPhone with Move to iOS. WhatsApp requires the target iPhone to be new or factory reset. Apple explains how to erase an already configured iPhone under “Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.”

The transfer requires iOS 15.5 or later on the iPhone and Android 5 or later on the Android device. Keep both phones powered and connected to the same Wi-Fi network or iPhone hotspot. Then, follow these steps to transfer the restored WhatsApp chats.

Step 1 On the setup screen, tap “From Android” on “Transfer Your Apps & Data.” Select the “Continue with Wi-Fi” option on Move to iOS and choose the iPhone when it appears.

Step 2 In Move to iOS, choose “Continue” to open the “One-Time Code” screen, then enter the code shown on the iPhone.

Step 3 Toggle on “WhatsApp,” select “Start,” then tap “Continue.” Keep Move to iOS on screen until the transfer completes.

3. Finish WhatsApp Setup on the iPhone

Your transferred WhatsApp data remains on the iPhone after Move to iOS finishes. Install WhatsApp, sign in with the same phone number used on Android, and start the import when prompted. WhatsApp cannot merge the transferred chats with existing chat history later, so complete the import during this setup.

When you restore WhatsApp from Google Drive to iPhone through this route, the original chat history remains on the Android phone. It stays there until you delete WhatsApp or erase the device. Follow these steps to complete the WhatsApp import on your iPhone:

Step 1 Select “Continue” to add the Apple ID details and continue. Complete the setup, install the latest WhatsApp from the App Store, and open it.

Step 2 Log in with the phone number you used on Android. Enter the code, tap “Start” when prompted, and let the import finish before activating the account.

Step 3 Open WhatsApp and go to “Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > Back Up Now.” This creates a new iCloud backup containing the WhatsApp chats transferred to your iPhone.

Part 4. What to Check Before Restoring WhatsApp Google Drive Backup to iPhone

Before you restore WhatsApp backup from Google Drive to iPhone, make sure everything required for the process is ready. A missing or incorrect detail can prevent the backup from being detected, verified, or transferred successfully. To avoid these problems, check the following requirements before you begin:

1. Correct Google Account: Use the Google account that contains the WhatsApp backup. On Android, check the linked account under Settings > Chats > Chat backup.
2. Same WhatsApp Phone Number: Use the same phone number associated with the backup. WhatsApp links Google Account backups to the phone number used to create them.
3. Existing Google Drive WhatsApp Backup: Check the latest backup date under Settings > Chats > Chat backup or Google Drive’s Backups section. Google states that WhatsApp backups are deleted after five months of inactivity.
4. Enough Storage on the Target iPhone: Make sure the iPhone has enough free storage for the transferred WhatsApp data. Check available space under Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
5. End-to-End Encrypted Backup Credentials: Keep the password, passkey, or 64-digit encryption key used to protect the backup. WhatsApp cannot send you a copy of a forgotten password or key. WatsGo may also request the required encryption credentials during its Google Drive restore process.

Part 5. Common Problems Restoring WhatsApp from Google Drive to iPhone

When you import WhatsApp backup from Google Drive to an iPhone, several issues can interrupt or prevent the transfer. The table below identifies the most common problems, explains their likely causes, and provides the appropriate fixes.

FAQs about Backing up WhatsApp from Google Drive to iPhone

1. Can I restore an older WhatsApp backup from Google Drive?

No. Google Drive keeps only the latest WhatsApp backup for each phone number. Creating a new backup replaces the previous one, so you cannot select and restore an older Google Drive backup later.

2. Can I restore WhatsApp from Google Drive to iPhone without my old Android phone?

Yes, but you still need an Android phone. WatsGo for Android can access Google Drive backup through your account, while Move to iOS requires restoring the backup on Android before transferring it to iPhone.

3. Does a WhatsApp Google Drive Backup include photos and videos?

Yes. WhatsApp backups include photos, while videos are backed up if the Include Videos option is enabled. Turn this option on before creating a new backup if you also want to transfer videos.

Conclusion

WhatsApp does not support restoring Google Drive backups directly on iPhone, but the right method depends on your situation. To restore WhatsApp backup from Google Drive to iPhone, Move to iOS offers a free route after restoring the chats on Android.

However, it requires a new or erased iPhone and does not support WhatsApp Business. For an iPhone already in use, iToolab WatsGo for Android provides an alternative that transfers the Google Drive backup without resetting the device.