WhatsApp Backup Not Working on Android 15? Here’s What You Should Do

I’ve always been the type who jumps at every new Android beta the second it’s released. I love the thrill of new features, exploring the latest UI, and feeling those incremental speed boosts. Normally, I accept the occasional bug or app glitch as just part of the “early adopter tax.” But when I installed Android 15 Beta last week, I was sideswiped by an issue I never expected: WhatsApp’s chat backup broke—hard.

And I don’t just mean a minor hiccup. I ended up in an endless backup loop, with WhatsApp caught midway between uploading and never finishing. To make things worse, I lost one of my most recent chat backups entirely. If you’re reading this because you’re stuck on “Waiting to back up…” or “Couldn’t complete backup” messages after updating to Android 15, trust me—you’re not alone. Here’s the full story, what’s actually causing this mess, and the steps you should take before you risk losing your conversations.

How It Started: A Simple Backup Gone Wrong

Right after I updated to Android 15 Beta 2 on my Pixel, things seemed fine. WhatsApp launched, messages loaded—it was business as usual. But when I checked on my chat backup just to be safe (Settings → Chats → Chat Backup), I noticed something odd:

• “Backup in progress…”
• “Waiting to back up…”
• “Last backup: Never”

It didn’t seem to move. No progress bar, no updates. Confused, I plugged my phone in, switched to a fast Wi-Fi network, and let it run overnight. Nothing changed. Every time I tried a manual backup, it got stuck at “Preparing backup…”, then just froze.

Of course, my first instinct (like any modern tech user) was to check Google and Reddit, where I discovered dozens of Android 15 testers running into the same brick wall.

Why Is This Happening?

What followed was hours of forum diving, bug tracker scrolling, and trawling WhatsApp group chats for answers. Here’s what I’ve pieced together:

1. Android 15’s New Restrictions

Android 15 Beta introduces new background data and storage permission models. Some apps—including WhatsApp—aren’t yet optimized for these changes, leading to blocked background processes, including chat backup uploads.

2. Google Drive Sync Disruptions

Multiple testers noted Google Drive was struggling to sync third-party app data (like WhatsApp’s backups) on Android 15, particularly during background operations.

3. WhatsApp Isn’t Ready

As of early beta releases in 2025, WhatsApp hasn’t confirmed compatibility or full support with Android 15. Essentially, the backup service is misfiring somewhere between app and system—leaving users in limbo.

The result? The app gets stuck in a backup loop or fails to find your previous backup, even when it should exist.

It Gets Worse: Real Data Loss

Here’s where it gets dangerous. After endless stuck backups, I tried the old “uninstall/reinstall” move, hoping a fresh install would reset whatever was stuck. I fully expected WhatsApp to restore my last backup from Google Drive, like it always does.

That’s when it got scary: the restore screen said “No backup found.” Even though I knew there was a backup there just two days earlier. My backup had either been corrupted or not properly listed in Google Drive because of the API changes. I suddenly faced the terrifying possibility of losing recent (and important) messages—personal family convos, customer orders, and even legal info.

What You Should Do to Protect Yourself

If you’re test-driving Android 15 Beta and using WhatsApp daily, here’s what you need to do (and avoid) until there’s an official fix:

1. Export Crucial Chats by Hand

Before even thinking about uninstalling or resetting WhatsApp, manually export your most important chats:

• Go to the chat → Tap the three dots → More → Export Chat → Choose “With” or “Without” media
• Save to Google Drive or email them to yourself
  This won’t let you restore entire chats into WhatsApp, but at least you’ll have an accessible record (text file) in case things go south.

2. Don’t Reinstall WhatsApp (Yet)

If you run into backup errors and reinstall WhatsApp on Android 15, you risk hitting the “No backup found” issue—even if your Drive backup exists. You could lose chat history permanently.

3. Stop Automatic WhatsApp Updates

If you’re using WhatsApp Beta, consider rolling back to the stable Play Store version for now. Some beta releases are even less stable with Android 15.

4. Double-Check Google Drive for WhatsApp Backups

Check drive.google.com/drive/backups. If your most recent WhatsApp backup is missing or hasn’t updated in days, don’t rely on auto-backup. Start exporting chats immediately.

5. Consider Downgrading Your System

If WhatsApp is essential for your work/life and you’re stuck, consider rolling back to Android 14 until WhatsApp and Google issue an official fix. It’s a hassle, but less annoying than losing your chat history forever.

Lessons Learned (The Hard Way)

I’ve been beta testing Android for years and am used to broken features—but this was the most nerve-wracking data loss scare yet. Some key takeaways:

• Never assume backups are working. Check manually!
• Regularly export important chats, just in case.
• Don’t rush to uninstall or reinstall apps that depend on cloud backups.
• Beta life can be risky—never use an early-release OS on your main device unless you’re ready for surprises.
• WhatsApp needs better backup visibility and user warnings. Don’t keep users guessing (or losing data!).

What WhatsApp and Google Need To Do

In 2025, with how essential these apps are, it’s incredible we’re still facing this sort of critical bug. If you’re reading, WhatsApp or Google, please:

• Prompt users with clearer warnings when backups fail or haven’t run in X days
• Offer downloadable logs or .zip exports of chats outside Google Drive
• Display proper error codes (not generic “Could not back up…” messages)
• Improve coordination in beta cycles so users aren’t caught as collateral damage

And for Google:

• Flag breaking changes for top apps during early betas
• Show backup health in Google One or Drive for peace of mind

Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

If your WhatsApp backup is acting up in Android 15 Beta, don’t panic—but don’t ignore the red flags. Export chats, halt risky updates, and wait for an official fix before you try anything drastic. While it’s fun to live on the cutting edge, it’s just not worth risking years of conversations for a few new features.

As for me? I’ve reverted my daily phone to Android 14 and am keeping Android 15 Beta for weekend experiments only. It’s a lesson learned: sometimes the “price” of being first is just too high—especially when your memories and work convos are at stake. Stay cautious, test smart, and always back up what matters most.

If WhatsApp isn’t just failing to back up but also giving you trouble with sending images, don’t miss this guide on WhatsApp photo sending failed – 10 fixes that actually work (2025 edition).