This is what changes now in your WhatsApp backups

The WhatsApp backups in Google Drive start to work differently. The system has some advantages, but also certain risks, such as losing your WhatsApp conversations if you don't update the backup copies

Whatsapp backup copies in Google Drive: new arrivals

Starting November 12, 2018, Google will introduce major changes to how it handles backup copies of your WhatsApp conversations .

The first significant change, and very well received among users, has to do with storage space. Starting November, WhatsApp backup files will no longer count toward the total available space of Google Drive.

That is to say: if your Drive has a capacity of 15 GB and your WhatsApp backup occupies 1.5 GB, you will still have 15 GB available.

The copy registration system will continue to work in the same way, through the messaging application. It can be configured so that the copies are made automatically every morning, so you can not worry.

What happens to old backups?

A detail that has caused quite a stir is that old WhatsApp backups will be deleted, and it will be necessary to make copies with some frequency. Otherwise, Google will automatically delete the chat files in Google Drive.

Backups that are more than a year old will be automatically deleted in November. The only way to not lose them is to make a current backup.

Specifically, Google asks users to enter the WhatsApp application to save a backup manually before the 30th of October. In this way, a recent file will be saved and the conversations will be safe.

In the same way, the process should be repeated from time to time, because Google Drive will continue to delete old copies and we run the risk of lose conversations if we are careless.

How to automatically save WhatsApp backups to Google Drive

Access the menu of WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Backup and click on the "Save" button. That gesture will start an automatic backup to your phone and Google Drive.

If you have not configured this online copy system, you can link your WhatsApp account to Google Drive in this same section.

For more convenience, in the "Save to Google Drive" section, you can select "Daily". With this option activated, every morning an automatic backup of your chats will be made in Google Drive.