WhatsApp is actively working on a feature that will allow Android users to export and import their chat backups from Google Drive offline, as per a screenshot shared by WABetaInfo. The backup described here is said to include full chat history, pictures, videos, and other media files. The feature was first reported to be in development in June this year, but the latest development of this update suggests that WhatsApp is quite keen to roll it out for beta testing in the near future.
WhatsApp rolled out a new update bringing the version up to 2.22.20.10 through the Google Play beta program. screenshot share By WABetaInfo reads, “If you exported a backup from your previous device, you can import it now.” This is a new/additional step that you have to do when you either reinstall WhatsApp on your phone, or when you switch your handset. If you choose to import, it will begin restoring your data from Google Drive to the devices’ local storage.
This feature will come in handy when you do not have an internet connection or high-speed Wi-Fi. A local backup will be created automatically by WhatsApp so that you can export a backup to import it later. Currently, there is no option to import a local backup. When you set it up on a new handset WhatsApp prompts you to import the backup from the Google account associated with the device.
The feature to export and import backups locally was first seen earlier this year. WABetaInfo had also reported that WhatsApp Backup on Google Drive will get limited storage allocation. This means that users will be allowed to import their chat backups if they reach a particular limit on Google Drive and store their backed-up data offline on their devices. Users will also be able to upload their chat backups back to Google Drive once they have enough space available.
It is yet to be seen whether WhatsApp will offer similar functionality to WhatsApp for iOS once it is released for WhatsApp for Android. The WhatsApp feature tracker further notes that the feature is still under development, which means it is still not ready to be released to beta testers. There is no information about the release date as of now.
