WhatsApp content missing after full iPhone restore

[SaltyRock]

Hello,

I recently had to restore my iPhone 14 Pro. Before I made a full backup to my Macbook, resulting in a 500gb backup file on my hard drive. As far as I know, these full backups include all app data, including whatsapp chats. (I have restored numerus iPhones in the past and every time all Whatsapp content was included after restoring).
To my big surprise, after restoring, all my data was there BUT no whatsapp content. After opening the app I have te re-confirm my phone number to then see an empty WhatsApp, I can only see all the empty groups that I am part of.
How is that possible? I know there is a separate option to backup WhatsApp into iCloud and I thought it was activated, but maybe it was not as it is not mentioning the backup.
Nevertheless, all the back app data should be included in the full backup on my Macbook, right?
Can anyone help me to fix this? There is a lot of personally important data in these chats.
This apple discussion refers to the same problem but does not really help me.
I have also tried numerous third party applications but the all seen to struggle with the fact that the finder / iTunes backup is encrypted.
I have a second full backup in my iCloud that I also tried to restore to the iPhone but it results in the same problem... I am desperate.

Restore Whatsapp from iTunes backup - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com

Thank you in advance.

 

[SaltyRock]

Hello,

I recently had to restore my iPhone 14 Pro. Before I made a full backup to my Macbook, resulting in a 500gb backup file on my hard drive. As far as I know, these full backups include all app data, including whatsapp chats. (I have restored numerus iPhones in the past and every time all Whatsapp content was included after restoring).
To my big surprise, after restoring, all my data was there BUT no whatsapp content. After opening the app I have te re-confirm my phone number to then see an empty WhatsApp, I can only see all the empty groups that I am part of.
How is that possible? I know there is a separate option to backup WhatsApp into iCloud and I thought it was activated, but maybe it was not as it is not mentioning the backup.
Nevertheless, all the back app data should be included in the full backup on my Macbook, right?
Can anyone help me to fix this? There is a lot of personally important data in these chats.
This apple discussion refers to the same problem but does not really help me.
I have also tried numerous third party applications but the all seen to struggle with the fact that the finder / iTunes backup is encrypted.
I have a second full backup in my iCloud that I also tried to restore to the iPhone but it results in the same problem... I am desperate.

Restore Whatsapp from iTunes backup - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com

Thank you in advance.

Nothing??

 

[tvfmc]

Same problem here:
- iTunes backup didn't pass the WhatsApp messages/photos
- The weekly iCloud backup was corrupted just after installation with an automatic upload done by WhatsApp
- A new backup of 1,8MB was created in iCloud, but the good one with 2,5GB is still there, but apparently inaccessible.

 

[Cruncher]

I had the exact same issue when I transferred my Data from my 14PM to my 15PM. I tried a second restore but still had the same issue. The Backup in iCloud was showing my 4.5GB but was inaccessible.
Luckily I did not delete my 14PM yet. I tried the direct transfer method but it still did not work. I have the WhatApp Beta installed and thought this may be the issue. It was not.

What I did:
1. Finish restore my 15PM
2. Deleted the Backup of Whatsapp in iCloud
3. Verify WA again on my old iPhone 14PM
4. Disabled encrypted WA Backups (it then created a fresh backup as my Data was still on my phone)
5. Re-Installed WA on my new iPhone 15PM and then I was able to restore

In you case as you are restoring the same Phone this will not work but it may help other Users.