WhatsApp Backup Takes Forever on iCloud: 6 Ways to Fix

Why Does WhatsApp Backup Take Forever?

It is a common problem for WhatsApp users, and the WhatsApp backup taking too long can be caused by various reasons. Before fixing this issue, you’d better know what caused the problem to prevent it from happening again.

Some common reasons are listed below:

Insufficient Cloud Space: If you don’t have enough storage space, whether you use iCloud or other cloud services to back up WhatsApp, you will encounter the WhatsApp backup in process stuck issue.
Unstable Internet Connection: Backing up WhatsApp data on iCloud needs to be done on a stable network. If your network is unstable or lost, WhatsApp backup takes forever.
Cache Accumulation: A large amount of cache will cause your iPhone to run slower, which can cause WhatsApp backups to get stuck.
Outdated iOS or WhatsApp Version: If your iPhone is running an old iOS version or you have an outdated WhatsApp, WhatsApp backup will take a long time on your iPhone.

How to Fix: WhatsApp Backup Takes Forever

In this post, you will find 6 methods to fix the WhatsApp backup stuck issue. Please keep reading!

Method 1: Try an iCloud Alternative to Backup WhatsApp

When you find that WhatsApp backup takes forever on iCloud, the most straightforward way to fix this issue is to switch to alternative backup software. It is strongly recommended FoneTool in this case.

FoneTool is a safe and professional data management tool that can help you back up your WhatsApp data easily. It provides you with full backup and selective backup without an internet connection.

How to make a WhatsApp backup with FoneTool? Please follow the steps below to do that:

Step 1: Click the download button to install FoneTool. Then, run FoneTool and connect your iPhone to your computer.

Step 2: Choose WhatsApp Manager in the main interface of FoneTool, choose WhatsApp or WA Business as you need, and then click Get Started under Backup WhatsApp.

Step 3: Before clicking the Start Backup button, you need to:

• Enable Backup Encryption to encrypt the WhatsApp backup for data security,
• Click Backup Storage Path to choose a local storage location for WhatsApp backup,
• Choose what you want to back up and click Start Backup to perform a backup.

Once the backup process is completed, you can click Backup History to check the backup files. If you still want to use iCloud to make a WhatsApp backup, the 5 other methods in this post can also help you fix the WhatsApp backup taking too long on your iPhone.

Method 2: Check Your iCloud Storage Space

WhatsApp backup takes forever, which may be caused by insufficient storage space. So, before trying other methods, please check how much space you have left. The steps are as follows:

Step 1: Go to the Settings app and tap your Apple ID.

Step 2: Tap iCloud > Manage Storage to check the space available.

★Tip:

iCloud only offers each user 5GB of free storage. If you need more iCloud storage, the only way is to upgrade your iCloud to iCloud+.

If you find iCloud is full, you might need to free up some space before trying to back up your WhatsApp again.

Method 3: Connect to a Stable Internet Connection

WhatsApp requires an internet connection to download and upload data. Therefore, you should make sure that your current internet connection is working. If you have the wrong internet, any fixes you make will not work.

The way to check the internet connection is quite simple and easy. If you are currently using mobile data, switch to a good Wi-Fi network. If you are using a Wi-Fi network, switch to mobile data.

Also, you can reset iPhone settings if the network is not good. Navigate to iPhone Settings > General, click Reset Network Settings, and confirm the Reset option.

Method 4: Clear WhatsApp Cache

Why does my WhatsApp backup take so long? When WhatsApp accumulates a large amount of cache, it will take a long time to make a WhatsApp backup. Therefore, you need to clear WhatsApp cache to solve this problem. Here is how to do that:

Step 1: Switch to the Settings app on your iPhone and choose Apps (or Manage apps).

Step 2: Choose WhatsApp from the list of apps. Then, tap Storage > CLEAR CACHE.

After clearing the WhatsApp cache, try to use iCloud to make a WhatsApp backup to see if the WhatsApp backup taking too long iPhone issue still exists.

Method 5: Update iOS to the Latest Version

If it has been a while since you last updated your iOS, then you should consider an older iOS version causing WhatsApp backups to get stuck. In this case, you should update your iOS version by following the steps:

Step 1: Just go to Settings > General > Software Update to check the latest iOS version available.

Step 2: Tap Download and Install and wait for the firmware to be installed.

After that, restart your iPhone to see if the WhatsApp backup stuck issue is resolved.

Method 6: Update WhatsApp on iPhone

When it takes too long to back up your WhatsApp chats on iPhone, it may be caused by an outdated version of WhatsApp. To fix this issue, you need to update your WhatsApp:

Step 1: Open App Store on your iPhone and search for WhatsApp.

Step 2: If there is an available version of WhatsApp, tap the UPDATE option located next to WhatsApp Messenger.

FAQs on WhatsApp Backup

Here are some frequently asked questions you might be concerned about.

1. How Long Does WhatsApp Backup Take?

Backing up WhatsApp data with iCloud will take 1-4 hours per GB, even on the strongest network connections. If you have a poor internet connection or disconnect from Wi-Fi prematurely, the backup process will pause until you reconnect.

2. Can You Back up WhatsApp Chats Without iCloud?

iCloud is one of the most common platforms for backing up WhatsApp chats. However, you will easily encounter some iCloud problems like iCloud backup stuck. In this case, you can use FoneTool to back up your WhatsApp chats without any issues.

3. Can WhatsApp Chats be Restored If Not Backed Up?

No! Once the WhatsApp data is lost or deleted accidentally, you cannot restore your WhatsApp data. You’d better use FoneTool – a free and safe backup tool to back up your WhatsApp to avoid data loss.

The Bottom Line

Now, do you know what to do if WhatsApp backup takes forever? You can troubleshoot the problem by following the methods in this post. Apart from fixing the issue to continue making a WhatsApp backup with iCloud, you can use the iCloud alternative – FoneTool to back up your WhatsApp data.

FoneTool has a WhatsApp Manager feature that can help you back up your WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business data to prevent any data loss. Why not have a try? Download and use FoneTool at once.