Where Are WhatsApp Backups Stored?
WhatsApp's local backup folder on Android, how Android's scoped storage changed that path, and why iOS doesn't have an equivalent you can browse to.
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Most people's real WhatsApp backup is the cloud one (WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat backup, saved to Google Drive on Android or iCloud on iPhone) rather than a local file, and it's the only kind you can restore from during setup on a new phone.
WhatsApp does keep a local, encrypted copy of your database on Android too, but where exactly depends on your Android version, since Android's scoped storage rules (introduced in Android 11) changed which folders apps are allowed to write to directly.
Where WhatsApp stores this, by platform
/Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases/
This is the location on Android 11 and later, under scoped storage. On older Android versions (or if you're seeing an empty folder here), check /WhatsApp/Databases/ directly at the root of internal storage instead. Files are named msgstore.db.crypt14/15 and are encrypted. They're only usable by restoring through WhatsApp itself, not by opening them directly.
Not user-accessible
iOS sandboxes every app's storage, so there's no Files app folder to browse to. WhatsApp on iPhone only supports backing up to iCloud (Settings > Chat Backup inside WhatsApp). There's no local backup file to locate.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I find the WhatsApp folder on my phone anymore?
Scoped storage on Android 11+ moved app-specific folders under /Android/media/. If you're on an older Android version, look for /WhatsApp/ directly in internal storage instead.
Can I restore a local backup on a different phone?
Only if it's the same phone number and you copy the Databases folder into the right location before installing WhatsApp, then let WhatsApp detect it during setup. A Google Drive or iCloud backup is far more reliable for moving to new hardware.
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