WhatsApp restore from backup creating 200GB drain on storage as "System Data"

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Level 1

16 points

WhatsApp restore from backup creating 200GB drain on storage as "System Data"

I have had to restore my iPhone from a backup. Everything goes fine, until I try to restore WhatsApp's backup. It starts like normal, but then my entire iPhone storage gets taken up by "System Data" (around 200GB) and WhatsApp says it needs more space to restore.

I left it over night, and the "System Data" didn't disappear. And WhatsApp does not restore.

I have definitely been able to isolate the problem to WhatsApp. I've tried erasing the iPhone again, and starting the phone as new. I only downloaded WhatsApp, and then performed the WhatsApp restore from back up. Even with nothing else on the phone, WhatsApp couldn't be restored as "System Data" used all of my storage. Over 200gb, and this kept growing until it used all of my storage.

I have then erased my iPhone again, and restored it from my previous iCloud backup. I have not restored WhatsApp... and there is no "System Data" taking up my storage. So it's definitely WhatsApp causing this massive storage drain.

I have an iPhone 11 Pro Max with 256GB storage. Its software is totally up to date. And my WhatsApp back is 50GB in size. I also have plenty of storage space on my iCloud if that's important.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

iPhone 11 Pro Max

Posted on Aug 5, 2022 10:32 PM

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Answer 1

TheLittles

Level 10

203,019 points

Aug 5, 2022 10:38 PM in response to CarlP

CarlP Said:

"WhatsApp restore from backup creating 200GB drain on storage as 'System Data': [...]I left it over night, and the "System Data" didn't disappear. And WhatsApp does not restore.[...]"

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Rid of "System Data" (Formerly Called "Other"):

Back up your iPad, and then restore your iPad form a backup. For reference, refer to my User Tip: Clear Other Storage on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

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Answer 2

CarlP Author

Level 1

16 points

Aug 6, 2022 1:20 AM in response to CarlP

Thank you so much for your reply. However, I have done the backup and restore from backup step already.

There's just an issue with the WhatsApp backup. When I restored my iPhone with the backup (and didn't do the WhatsApp restore) everything functioned perfectly. I had well over 200GB free on my iPhone.

However, once I started restoring my 50GB worth of data in my WhatsApp backup, the "System Data" storage amount went crazy again... to taking up well over 200GB and the WhatsApp restore not being able to complete.

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Answer 3

CarlP Author

Level 1

16 points

Aug 7, 2022 12:20 AM in response to Guillermo1194

WhatsApp have been absolutely no help. And Apple just as bad. Really don't know what to do. Guess I need to decide between having no storage on my phone, or clearing years worth of important WhatsApp media.

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Answer 4

Aug 10, 2022 1:48 PM in response to CarlP

Exactly the same problem here!! All goes well on the backup until it gets to WhatsApp and System data spikes to 200 GB. If anyone finds a solution it would be greatly appreciated! Both Apple and WhatsApp haven’t helped at all so far..

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