Recovering Your WhatsApp Data From a Broken Phone: A Comprehensive Guide

Dropping your phone is a nightmare scenario, especially when it contains valuable data like your WhatsApp chats. But fear not! Even with a broken screen or a completely unresponsive device, recovering your precious WhatsApp conversations is often possible. This guide will walk you through several methods to try, depending on the extent of the damage and your previous setup.

Understanding the Challenge

Before we dive into solutions, it’s important to understand how WhatsApp stores your data. WhatsApp primarily backs up your chats and media to:

• Your Phone’s Local Storage: This is where WhatsApp keeps the most recent backup.
• Google Drive (Android) / iCloud (iOS): Cloud backups happen automatically (or manually) at set intervals and are crucial for recovery.

The best recovery method will depend on whether you have a recent cloud backup. If you do, the process is much simpler.

Method 1: Using Google Drive/iCloud Backup (Ideal Scenario)

This is the easiest and most reliable method if you had cloud backups enabled. Here’s how to recover WhatsApp data using your Google Drive or iCloud backup on a new phone (or a repaired phone if your screen issue is solved):

1. Install WhatsApp on Your New Phone: Download and install the WhatsApp app from the Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS).
2. Verify Your Phone Number: Open WhatsApp and enter the phone number associated with your WhatsApp account. You will receive a verification code via SMS. Enter this code.
3. Restore from Backup: WhatsApp will detect your existing backup. Tap the “Restore” button when prompted.
4. Wait for the Process to Complete: The restore process can take some time depending on the size of your backup. Ensure your phone is connected to a stable Wi-Fi connection and keep it charged.
5. Complete the Setup: Once the restore is complete, follow the remaining prompts to set up your WhatsApp profile.

Important Note: Make sure you are using the same Google account (Android) or Apple ID (iOS) as you did on your broken phone to access the backup.

Method 2: Using Local Backup (If Cloud Backup is Missing)

If you didn’t enable cloud backups, or if your latest backup is outdated, you may be able to restore from your local backup. This method requires you to access the phone’s internal storage. This can be tricky with a broken screen, but here are a few ways to try:

A. Using USB OTG and a Mouse (Android – Screen Partially Working)

If your screen is partially responsive, you might be able to navigate using a USB OTG cable and a mouse. Here’s how:

1. Obtain a USB OTG Adapter: Purchase a USB On-The-Go (OTG) adapter that fits your phone’s USB port (usually USB-C or Micro-USB).
2. Connect Mouse: Plug the USB OTG adapter into your phone and then connect a USB mouse to the adapter.
3. Navigate to the Backup File: Use the mouse to navigate your phone’s screen and access the file explorer.
4. Locate the WhatsApp Databases Folder: Go to the internal storage and find the folder named “WhatsApp.” Inside, find the subfolder named “Databases.”
5. Copy the Databases Folder: Copy the entire “Databases” folder to a USB flash drive or your computer using your mouse.
6. Transfer to New Phone: Plug the flash drive into your new phone and copy the “Databases” folder to the same directory as above when you install Whatsapp.
7. Start WhatsApp setup: When you setup Whatsapp it will look for local backups and restore.

B. Using ADB (Android – Advanced User)

If the touch screen is completely unresponsive, but the phone is partially functioning (e.g. powers on), you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tools, a command-line utility, to access the file system. This is for technically inclined individuals as it requires downloading software and typing in commands, here is the basic gist:

1. Download and Install ADB Tools: Install the ADB and Fastboot platform tools on your computer.
2. Enable USB Debugging (If Possible): On your broken phone, if your screen allows, go to developer options and enable USB debugging. If not skip to the next step.
3. Connect Your Phone: Connect your broken phone to your computer using a USB cable.
4. Authorize Your Computer (If Necessary): If you see an authorization prompt on your phone, try to use your mouse if possible to allow your computer.
5. Use ADB Command to Pull the WhatsApp Folder: In your terminal, use command similar to: adb pull /sdcard/WhatsApp/ /path/to/your/computer/folder/WhatsApp.
6. Transfer to New Phone: Plug your flash drive into your new phone and copy the “Databases” folder to the same directory as above when you install Whatsapp.
7. Start WhatsApp setup: When you setup Whatsapp it will look for local backups and restore.

Important Note: The local backup files are often encrypted. While this method can give you access to files, not every attempt will succeed due to security measures in place. If you fail, you might be out of luck.

Method 3: Using Data Recovery Software (Last Resort)

If your phone is seriously damaged and neither cloud nor local backups are available, there’s a small chance data recovery software may help. There are several third-party data recovery tools available that claim to retrieve data from broken or damaged phones. Keep in mind these software can be expensive and may not always work. Research before using one and ensure they are legitimate. This would often require sending the phone to the company doing recovery.

Preventing Future Data Loss

The best defense against losing your WhatsApp data is regular backups. Here are key tips:

• Enable Automatic Cloud Backups: Configure WhatsApp to back up your chats to Google Drive (Android) or iCloud (iOS) automatically (daily or weekly).
• Manually Back Up Before Changes: Before getting a new phone, manually create a new backup as a precaution.
• Be Careful With Your Phone: Consider using a phone case and screen protector for better protection.

Conclusion

Recovering WhatsApp data from a broken phone can be challenging, but not always impossible. Prioritize cloud backups to ensure data security and implement regular manual backups as a last resort. By following the advice here, you stand a much better chance of retrieving your cherished conversations. Remember, prevention is key for future safety.