"Is there any way I can backup my WhatsApp media to an external hard drive, as I have no iCloud storage?"
- From Reddit
With the increasing importance of preserving memories and important conversations, many users are looking for reliable ways to back up their WhatsApp media. An external hard drive can be an excellent choice for secure storage, providing ample space and reducing the risk of losing valuable media. In this article, we'll explore the different methods for exporting WhatsApp media to an external hard drive, whether you're using an Android or an iPhone device.
Yes, it is entirely possible to back up your WhatsApp media (including photos, videos, and audio files) to an external hard drive. This method allows you to have full control over your backups, avoiding potential storage issues with cloud services. You can either transfer files manually or use specialized software tools to make the process smoother. Whether you are using an Android or an iPhone device, there are several ways to achieve this goal.
There are multiple methods for exporting WhatsApp media to an external hard drive, depending on your device and preferences. Below are some of the most effective and widely used methods:
For Android users, one of the simplest ways to back up WhatsApp media to an external hard drive is by connecting your device to the computer via a USB cable.
How to save Android WhatsApp media to external storage with a USB cable?
Step 1. Connect your Android device to the computer using a USB cable.
Step 2. Enable the "File Transfer" mode on your Android phone when prompted.
Step 3. Open the File Explorer on your computer and locate the WhatsApp folder on your phone (usually in the internal storage or SD card).
Step 4. Copy the WhatsApp media files (found in the WhatsApp/Media folder) to your computer.
Step 5. Now, plug in your external hard drive, open its folder, and paste the WhatsApp media files onto it.
If you're looking for a more efficient way to export your WhatsApp media to an external hard drive, Coolmuster Android WhatsApp Recovery is an excellent solution. This software allows you to easily recover and export WhatsApp data, including all media files, without the hassle of manual file transfers. Here's how it can help:
Key Features of Coolmuster Android WhatsApp Recovery:
How to save WhatsApp media to external storage with Android WhatsApp Recovery?
01Install and run Android WhatsApp Recovery on your computer. From the left side of the interface, select "Recover from Android Device".
02Connect your Android phone and external hard drive to the computer. Enable USB debugging on your phone, and follow the on-screen instructions to enable end-to-end encryption for your WhatsApp backup.
03After completing the above steps, the WhatsApp message backup will begin automatically.
04Once the backup is complete, you can preview the details, including "WhatsApp" and "Attachments" (photos, videos, audio, documents, stickers, etc.). Select the content you want to back up, and then click "Recover to Computer". Here, you can choose your external hard drive as the output location.
Video guide
For iPhone users, Coolmuster has also developed a professional tool to export iPhone WhatsApp media to an external hard drive - Coolmuster iPhone WhatsApp Recovery. This tool is designed to back up WhatsApp data from your iPhone to your computer. Similar to Android WhatsApp Recovery, iPhone WhatsApp Recovery retrieves WhatsApp data from the internal storage of iOS devices and saves it to your computer. You can also view and access WhatsApp photos directly on your computer. The software is compatible with over 6,000 iOS phones and tablets, including the iPhone 16. Additionally, it features the ability to recover deleted WhatsApp data from iTunes backups.
Here's how to use it:
01Download and install iPhone WhatsApp Recovery on your computer.
02Launch the program and select "Recover from iOS Device".
03Follow the on-screen instructions to connect your iPhone and external hard drive to the computer. Once connected, choose the types of data you want to export and click "Start Scan".
04After the scan is complete, you can browse all WhatsApp data on your iPhone on your computer, then select the WhatsApp media you wish to export. Click "Recover to Computer" and choose the external hard drive as the destination for saving the data.
Video guide
No matter whether you are an Android user or an iPhone user, you can use email WhatsApp chats to yourself and then download the media files to your external hard drive. In this method, you need to open each WhatsApp conversation individually and select the media you want to export. This means that if you have multiple chats or need to export a large amount of media, the process can be very tedious and time-consuming.
Here are the steps to export WhatsApp media to the external hard drive:
Step 1. Open the WhatsApp chat that contains the media you want to save.
Step 2. Tap the three dots menu in the top-right corner and select "More", then choose "Export chat".
Step 3. Choose "include media".
Step 4. Send the chat to your email address.
Step 5. Access your email, download the media files from the attachment, and transfer them to your external hard drive.
In summary, exporting WhatsApp media to an external hard drive is a great way to securely back up your important files. Whether you're using Android or iPhone, methods like USB transfer, email, or specialized software like Coolmuster Android WhatsApp Recovery and Coolmuster iPhone WhatsApp Recovery make the process simple and efficient.
For a hassle-free backup experience, we highly recommend using Coolmuster's tools to easily transfer your WhatsApp data to external storage, ensuring your media is safe and accessible whenever you need it.
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