WhatsApp Backup Not Enough iPhone Storage? 6 Fast & Real Fixes

Why is WhatsApp not backing up even with enough storage?

The "Not Enough iPhone Storage" error during WhatsApp backup to iCloud occurs because your iPhone temporarily stores data locally during the backup process. Apple recommends having at least twice the backup capacity available on both your iPhone and iCloud for smooth operations.

Don't worry—this common frustration has straightforward solutions. Here are 6 proven fixes to resolve WhatsApp backup storage issues and successfully backup your chats and media.

6 Proven fixes for WhatsApp backup "Not Enough iPhone Storage" error

Let’s learn about 6 proven fixes to get your WhatsApp backup working again.

Fix 1. Check available iCloud storage

Before digging into other solutions to iPhone Whatsapp backup but not enough space, it is important to check if you have enough free iCloud storage to back up your data

Step 1. Go to Settings > Tap [Your Name] > Select iCloud.

Step 2. Check both Available and Used storage.

Step 3. If storage is low, tap Manage Storage > Upgrade to increase capacity.

Fix 2. Free up iPhone storage

Create essential space on your iPhone by removing unnecessary files and apps. Fortunately, there are several ways to free up and manage iPhone storage:

Storage Cleaning Methods:

1. Offload unused apps:

Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Select unused apps > Uninstall App.

2. Clear Safari cache: 

Navigate to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data.

3. Delete old WhatsApp media: 

Open WhatsApp > Settings > Storage & Data > Manage Storage > Remove large/unnecessary files.

Fix 3. Delete old iCloud backups

Remove outdated iCloud backups to free up space for your current WhatsApp backup.

Step 1. Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Manage Storage.

Step 2. Select Backups > Choose old/unnecessary backups > Delete Backup.

Fix 4. Force quit WhatsApp

Restarting WhatsApp can resolve temporary app glitches affecting backup functionality.

Step 1. Face ID iPhones: Swipe up from bottom > Find WhatsApp in App Switcher > Swipe up to close.

Step 2. Home Button iPhones: Double-click Home button > Swipe up on WhatsApp.

Step 3. Reopen WhatsApp and retry backup.

Fix 5. Force restart iPhone

A force restart resolves underlying software issues that may interfere with backup processes.

Step 1. Quickly press/release Volume Up > Quickly press/release Volume Down.

Step 2. Press/hold Side button until Apple logo appears.

Step 3. Release and wait for restart completion.

Fix 6. Backup WhatsApp data selectively

If your WhatsApp backup still doesn't work properly, you can educe backup size by excluding non-essential content like videos or archiving old chats..

• Archive Unnecessary Chats: Long-press chat > Archive (excludes from backups)

• Exclude Videos: Go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > Toggle off Include Videos

   

💡 Alternative Approach:

   

If you want to preserve all media while solving storage issues, proceed to the next section for a comprehensive solution.

Alternative way: Backup WhatsApp without iPhone storage

If none of the above solutions work, you can use a third-party tool, FoneTool, the best WhatsApp backup and transfer tool, to backup WhatsApp without worrying about storage issues on iPhone or iCloud anymore.

Follow the steps below to back up WhatsApp chats with freeware phone tools without effort.

Step 1.  Connect iPhone to PC via USB > Tap Trust when prompted.

Step 2. Open FoneTool > WhatsApp Manager > Backup WhatsApp > Get Started.

Step 3. Enable encryption (optional) > Choose backup destination > Start Backup.

🔄 Restore Feature: Access Backup History to restore WhatsApp backups to any iOS device, including transferring between iPhones without data loss.

   

★Tip:

  FoneTool also allows you to transfer WhatsApp from iPhone to iPhone without losing anything.

Summary

These 6 solutions address the common "Not Enough iPhone Storage" error during WhatsApp backup to iCloud. Remember that successful backups require sufficient space on both your iPhone and iCloud account.

For the most reliable long-term solution, FoneTool eliminates storage limitations by enabling local WhatsApp backups to your computer or external storage devices. This approach ensures your valuable chats and media remain secure without depending on iCloud storage availability.

Frequently asked questions