Your WhatsApp backup reaches 99%, sits there for what feels like forever, and never completes. In other cases, the percentage barely moves, repeatedly restarts, or fails after uploading most of the backup.
This can happen on both Android and iPhone. The underlying cause is usually not the 99% number itself. WhatsApp may still be processing or uploading a large amount of media, your cloud storage may be full, the internet connection may be unstable, the phone may be low on free space, or WhatsApp may be having trouble with your Google Account or iCloud connection.
This guide explains how to fix a WhatsApp backup stuck at 99% without risking your existing chats. Start with the safe fixes first and only use the more disruptive steps at the end.
Quick answer: Keep the phone connected to power and stable Wi-Fi, restart WhatsApp and the phone, check available phone and cloud storage, try another Wi-Fi network, exclude videos from the next backup, and verify your Google Account or iCloud settings. Do not delete your existing cloud backup or uninstall WhatsApp unless you are certain your chats are safely backed up.
Why Does WhatsApp Backup Get Stuck at 99%?
A backup percentage is only a progress indicator. Reaching 99% does not necessarily mean WhatsApp has only 1% of the work left.
The app may still be:
- Preparing large videos or media files.
- Uploading the final part of the backup.
- Waiting for a slow or unstable network connection.
- Processing changes from an older backup.
- Trying to access Google Account or iCloud storage.
- Running out of local phone storage.
- Running out of cloud storage.
WhatsApp's official troubleshooting guidance says a stuck or incomplete backup can be related to network problems, device storage, account connectivity, or backup size.
You can review WhatsApp's current recommendations in the official WhatsApp backup troubleshooting guide.
1. Give the Backup Time to Finish
Before cancelling a backup at 99%, check how large it is.
Open WhatsApp and go to:
Settings > Chats > Chat backup
A backup containing years of conversations, photos, voice messages, documents, and videos can take much longer than a small text-only backup.
Your upload speed matters more than your advertised download speed during a cloud backup.
For example, a fast home internet plan can still have a much slower upload speed.
If the percentage is stuck but WhatsApp is not showing an error:
- Keep the phone connected to Wi-Fi.
- Connect the charger.
- Leave WhatsApp running.
- Give it additional time before cancelling.
If it remains at exactly the same point for hours with no network activity, continue with the fixes below.
2. Restart WhatsApp and Your Phone
A temporary WhatsApp or operating-system process can prevent a backup from finishing.
First close WhatsApp normally and reopen it.
If the backup still refuses to complete:
- Stop the current backup if WhatsApp allows it.
- Restart your phone.
- Reconnect to Wi-Fi.
- Open WhatsApp.
- Go to Settings > Chats > Chat backup.
- Start the backup again.
WhatsApp specifically recommends restarting the device when a backup becomes stuck.
If WhatsApp itself is crashing or freezing rather than only the backup failing, see our Android apps keep crashing troubleshooting guide.
3. Check Your Internet Connection
A WhatsApp cloud backup needs a stable upload connection. A connection that is fast enough for browsing or streaming can still fail during a long upload.
Try these checks:
- Turn Wi-Fi off and back on.
- Move closer to your router.
- Restart the router if other devices are also having problems.
- Try another trusted Wi-Fi network.
- Avoid weak public Wi-Fi.
WhatsApp's official troubleshooting guidance recommends switching Wi-Fi off and back on and trying a different Wi-Fi network when backups get stuck.
Test whether your Wi-Fi actually has internet
Open a browser and load several websites.
If your phone says it is connected to Wi-Fi but websites do not load, solve that problem first.
Android users can use our Wi-Fi connected but no internet on Android guide.
Can you use mobile data?
Depending on your platform, backup settings, carrier plan, and WhatsApp configuration, cellular data may be available as an alternative.
Be careful with a large backup because videos and photos can use significant mobile data.
If cellular service shows a strong signal but data itself does not work, see our mobile data not working despite full signal guide.
4. Check Phone and Cloud Storage
Storage is one of the most important things to check when a WhatsApp backup repeatedly stalls near completion.
You potentially need free space in two places:
- Your phone.
- Your cloud account.
Check storage on Android
On many Android phones:
Settings > Storage
or:
Settings > Battery and device care > Storage
depending on the manufacturer.
Check storage on iPhone
Go to:
Settings > General > iPhone Storage
If the phone is nearly full, clear some space before trying the backup again.
Our guide to freeing phone storage without deleting apps can help if storage is the problem.
Check Google Account storage on Android
WhatsApp backups on Android count toward your Google Account storage.
Google Account storage is also shared with services such as Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos.
If the account is full, a new WhatsApp backup may not be able to complete.
Google explains how WhatsApp backups affect storage in its official Google storage management guide.
Check iCloud storage on iPhone
Open:
Settings > [your name] > iCloud
Check how much storage remains available.
Apple explains how to review and free iCloud space in its official iCloud storage guide.
5. Exclude Videos From the Backup
Videos are often the largest part of a WhatsApp backup.
If your backup becomes extremely large or repeatedly stalls, try creating one without videos.
Open:
WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat backup
Turn off:
Include videos
Then start a new backup.
Google specifically recommends turning off Include videos when reducing the size of WhatsApp backups on Android because videos usually consume the most backup space.
This does not delete videos from your phone or chats. It only prevents those videos from being included in that cloud backup.
6. Check Your Google Account on Android
Android WhatsApp cloud backups use your Google Account.
Open:
WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat backup
Check that the correct Google Account is selected.
If you have several Google Accounts on your phone, make sure WhatsApp is backing up to the account you actually intend to use.
WhatsApp recommends logging out and back into the Google Account when a backup remains stuck.
Because removing a Google Account affects other Google services on the phone, do not do this casually if you are unsure of the account password or synchronization status.
Before removing or re-adding an account:
- Make sure you know the account password.
- Confirm important contacts and other Google data are synced.
- Confirm you are using the correct Google Account for WhatsApp.
After reconnecting the account, reopen WhatsApp and retry the backup.
7. Check iCloud on iPhone
WhatsApp uses iCloud for cloud chat backups on iPhone.
First confirm you are signed into the correct Apple Account.
Then open:
Settings > [your name] > iCloud
Check that:
- You are signed into iCloud.
- You have available iCloud storage.
- WhatsApp has access to iCloud where required.
- Your Wi-Fi connection is stable.
WhatsApp's current iPhone backup procedure is available in its official iPhone chat backup guide.
Apple also recommends trying another Wi-Fi network and checking available iCloud storage when an iCloud upload cannot complete.
8. Update WhatsApp and Your Phone
If your WhatsApp version or phone software is significantly out of date, install available stable updates before continuing with advanced troubleshooting.
Update WhatsApp on Android
- Open Google Play Store.
- Search for WhatsApp.
- Tap Update if an update is available.
Update WhatsApp on iPhone
- Open App Store.
- Open your account page.
- Check available app updates.
- Update WhatsApp if available.
Update Android or iOS
Also check your phone's system update section for a stable update.
Restart the phone after updating and try the backup again.
9. Keep the Phone Charging and WhatsApp Active
Large backups can take a long time, especially on slower upload connections.
For an important backup:
- Plug the phone into a charger.
- Use stable Wi-Fi.
- Avoid switching between networks.
- Keep WhatsApp available while the backup is progressing.
- Avoid restarting the phone during the upload.
WhatsApp's troubleshooting guidance recommends making sure the device is sufficiently charged or connected to power when a backup is having trouble completing.
If your phone becomes unusually hot while charging and backing up, allow it to cool and use our phone overheating while charging guide if the heat problem continues.
10. Disable VPN or Network Filtering Temporarily
A VPN, firewall, ad-blocking DNS service, security app, or network filter can occasionally interfere with long cloud uploads.
If you use one, temporarily disable it and retry the backup.
Also avoid switching repeatedly between:
- Wi-Fi and cellular data.
- Different VPN servers.
- Different Wi-Fi networks.
while the same backup is running.
If turning off the VPN fixes the backup, check that VPN provider's settings or support information before enabling it again.
11. Reduce WhatsApp Storage Before Backing Up
If your WhatsApp data has grown to many gigabytes, reducing the amount of unnecessary media can make the backup easier to complete.
Inside WhatsApp, open:
Settings > Storage and data > Manage storage
Review:
- Very large files.
- Large videos.
- Media you no longer need.
- Large chats.
- Repeated or unnecessary files.
Be careful: deleting WhatsApp media can permanently remove content you wanted to keep.
Save important photos, videos, documents, or voice files somewhere else before deleting them.
After reducing the amount of data:
- Restart WhatsApp.
- Return to Settings > Chats > Chat backup.
- Try another backup.
12. Last-Resort Steps
If every safe fix has failed, proceed carefully.
Do not uninstall WhatsApp first
If your newest chat history exists only on the phone and your cloud backup is incomplete, uninstalling WhatsApp can put that data at risk.
Before reinstalling anything, confirm that you have a usable backup or another safe copy of any conversations and media you cannot afford to lose.
Do not delete your existing cloud backup casually
On Android, Google warns that deleting a WhatsApp backup is permanent.
If you delete it and then lose your phone or reinstall WhatsApp before successfully creating another backup, you may no longer have that cloud copy available.
Only consider deleting a backup when:
- You understand that it cannot simply be recovered later.
- Your current chats still exist safely on the phone.
- You are intentionally creating a completely new backup.
- Other troubleshooting has failed.
Contact WhatsApp Support
If the backup repeatedly fails at the same stage despite sufficient storage, multiple networks, current software, and the correct cloud account, contact WhatsApp Support through the app.
Include:
- Your phone model.
- Android or iOS version.
- WhatsApp version.
- Approximate backup size.
- The percentage where it stops.
- Any error message shown.
WhatsApp Backup Stuck at 99% on Android
For Android, I recommend troubleshooting in this order:
- Check that Wi-Fi actually has internet.
- Restart WhatsApp and the phone.
- Check free storage on the phone.
- Check available Google Account storage.
- Turn off Include videos.
- Try another Wi-Fi network.
- Make sure the correct Google Account is selected.
- Update WhatsApp.
- Update Android.
- Retry while connected to power.
WhatsApp backs up Android chat history to a Google Account. Its official instructions are available in the WhatsApp Android chat backup guide.
Google also confirms that Android WhatsApp backups now count toward the storage limit of the Google Account.
WhatsApp Backup Stuck at 99% on iPhone
For iPhone, use this order:
- Check your Wi-Fi connection.
- Restart WhatsApp and the iPhone.
- Check free iPhone storage.
- Check available iCloud storage.
- Turn off Include Videos if the backup is large.
- Confirm the correct Apple Account and iCloud configuration.
- Try another Wi-Fi network.
- Update WhatsApp.
- Update iOS.
- Retry while connected to power.
Apple currently recommends checking Wi-Fi, trying another Wi-Fi network, checking upload speed, and confirming sufficient iCloud storage when an iCloud backup takes unusually long or cannot complete.
See Apple's official iCloud backup troubleshooting guide.
Do WhatsApp Backups Use Google Account Storage?
Yes. WhatsApp backups on Android count toward the Google Account storage limit.
That storage is shared with other Google services, so a large amount of Gmail, Google Drive, or Google Photos data can leave insufficient room for a new WhatsApp backup.
Google specifically recommends reducing WhatsApp backup size by excluding videos before deleting stored backups.
To reduce future backup size:
WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat backup > Include videos
Turn Include videos off.
Does WhatsApp Backup Use iCloud Storage?
Yes. WhatsApp chat backups on iPhone are stored using iCloud.
You can check available space at:
Settings > [your name] > iCloud
Apple currently provides 5 GB of iCloud storage with a standard account, and that space can also be used by other iCloud services.
If iCloud is full, remove content you no longer need or increase the available storage before trying another large backup.
Be careful when deleting iCloud content because deleting synchronized photos, files, or other data can affect your other Apple devices as well.
Should You Delete the Existing WhatsApp Backup?
Usually not as your first fix.
Deleting the cloud backup is much riskier than:
- Restarting the phone.
- Changing Wi-Fi networks.
- Freeing storage.
- Removing videos from the backup.
- Updating WhatsApp.
Google explicitly warns that deleting a WhatsApp backup is permanent.
If WhatsApp is still installed and all your chats are intact, you may be able to create another backup later. But deleting your existing backup removes an important recovery option if something happens before the new backup succeeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my WhatsApp backup stuck at 99%?
A large media file, unstable upload connection, insufficient phone storage, insufficient cloud storage, or a problem communicating with Google Account or iCloud can prevent the final part of the backup from completing.
How long should WhatsApp stay at 99%?
There is no universal time because backup size and upload speed vary significantly. A very large backup can remain near completion longer than expected. If there is no progress for hours, check the network, storage, and backup size.
Should I cancel a WhatsApp backup stuck at 99%?
If it has only recently reached 99%, give it additional time. If it has made no progress for hours, restart the phone, verify the network and storage, and retry the backup.
Will cancelling a WhatsApp backup delete my chats?
Stopping a new cloud backup does not normally delete the chats currently stored in WhatsApp on your phone. However, it means your newest chat history may not yet be safely stored in the cloud.
Why does my WhatsApp backup restart from 0%?
If an upload fails or the backup must be prepared again, WhatsApp may restart part or all of the process. Check network stability, available storage, and backup size before trying repeatedly.
Can videos make WhatsApp backup get stuck?
Large video files can substantially increase the size and upload time of a backup. Turning off Include videos is one of the easiest ways to test whether backup size is contributing to the problem.
Does WhatsApp backup use Google Drive storage?
Android WhatsApp backups count toward your Google Account storage limit. Google recommends managing backup size in WhatsApp itself, particularly by excluding videos when necessary.
Why won't WhatsApp back up even though I have Wi-Fi?
A Wi-Fi connection does not guarantee a stable internet upload. Test websites, try another Wi-Fi network, restart your router if needed, and check whether the connection has sufficient upload speed.
Why does WhatsApp say there is not enough storage?
The phone itself or the cloud account may be low on space. Android users should check both device and Google Account storage. iPhone users should check iPhone and iCloud storage.
Will deleting WhatsApp videos delete them from the backup?
If you delete media from WhatsApp before creating a new backup, those deleted files may no longer be available to include in that future backup. Save anything important before removing media.
Is it safe to turn off Include Videos?
Yes, if you are comfortable with videos not being included in that cloud chat backup. Turning the option off does not itself delete the videos already stored on your phone.
Should I reinstall WhatsApp to fix a stuck backup?
Reinstallation should be a last resort. If your current backup has not completed, uninstalling WhatsApp before safely protecting your chat history can put recent data at risk.
Can I back up WhatsApp using mobile data?
Availability depends on your phone, platform, settings, and carrier connection. Large WhatsApp backups can consume significant mobile data, so stable Wi-Fi is generally the safer option when available.
Why is my WhatsApp backup stuck on “Preparing”?
WhatsApp may still be indexing and preparing a large amount of chat media before uploading it. Low device storage, very large files, or application problems can also delay this stage.
Does end-to-end encrypted backup cause a backup to take longer?
End-to-end encrypted backups add protection to your stored WhatsApp backup, but if a backup is repeatedly failing, troubleshoot storage, network connectivity, software versions, and cloud-account access before changing security settings.
Final Thoughts
If your WhatsApp backup is stuck at 99%, do not immediately delete the backup or uninstall WhatsApp.
Start by checking the size of the backup and giving it time to finish. Then restart the phone, verify the internet connection, check both local and cloud storage, and try another Wi-Fi network.
If the backup is very large, turn off Include videos and remove unnecessary media. Android users should also verify their Google Account and available Google storage, while iPhone users should check iCloud storage and iCloud connectivity.
Most importantly, protect the chats already on your phone. Deleting an existing cloud backup or reinstalling WhatsApp should only happen after you understand exactly which copy of your chat history is safely available.