Recover WhatsApp backup if you forgot encrypted password

WhatsApp is the only one that will be able to help if they are able to do it at all. This is what they say about your key:

• You can’t access your encrypted backup if you don’t have your encryption key or password.
• You can’t restore your backup if you lose access to your WhatsApp account and forget your password or encryption key. WhatsApp can’t send you a copy of your password or encryption key, reset your password or encryption key, or restore your backup for you.

https://faq.whatsapp.com/490592613091019/?helpref=search&query=64%20digit%20key&search_session_id=7ce3d5c3b6947db6708a76e7b2908d0d&sr=1

There is nothing Apple can do to resolve a problem with WhatsApp.

In this case it is only recoverable if you have your old phone with you.

Log in to your new phone. Skip restore backup and proceed with registering WhatsApp on new phone. Now you have access to WhatsApp on new phone. You should be signed out of Whatsapp on your old phone. Again register the number in WhatsApp of your old phone. You will get a passcode on your new phone. Now you can access the WhatsApp on old phone. Now old phone should have everything that you left before transferring. Go to settings and turn off encryption.

You will lose the messages in between doing this steps.

This worked for me. Hope this works for you.

I think you should not back up whatsapp in iCloud do it in iTunes then the encryption password for iTunes will apply for all app that are restored . Also all iPhone whatsapp users please check your whatsapp chat settings to check what is your status of back up in iCloud if you have opted for end to end encryption please remember your password or the key else there is no way to get your data back

In this case it is only recoverable if you have your old phone with you.

Log in to your new phone. Skip restore backup and proceed with registering WhatsApp on new phone. Now you have access to WhatsApp on new phone. You should be signed out of Whatsapp on your old phone. Again register the number in WhatsApp of your old phone. You will get a passcode on your new phone. Now you can access the WhatsApp on old phone. Now old phone should have everything that you left before transferring. Go to settings and turn off encryption.

You will lose the messages in between doing this steps.

This worked for me. Hope this works for you.

tomdin wrote:

I want to emphasize that the process of password retrieval and the associated time lag is specific to iCloud, not WhatsApp. This was confirmed by Apple support, and it's an important distinction. We shouldn't rely on a time-bound and attempt-restricted solution for password recovery.

Or at least if we visit apple center for support they can authenticate and provide the retrieval support even that you are not doing

You may remember a time when companies used security questions to verify your identity such as your mother's maiden name and quickly found out that your account is not secure with this kind of verification. For security of your account you need Two Factor authentication that uses a Trusted Phone number to reset your password. There is no waiting period by Apple for using this method. In addition to the Trusted Phone number, you can also use another Trusted Device or a previously set up Account Recovery contact without a waiting period.

There is no other information that you could possibly provide that would allow Apple to prove that a person requesting to reset your password is actually you. Even WhatsApp realizes that by requiring the 64 digit key to recover their backups that are encrypted. Without that key, you have lost all your data and don't even have the option for a waiting period. To reiterate, the only time you would ever have a waiting period to reset your Apple password is if you do not have a:

• Trusted Device
• Trusted Phone number
• Account Recovery contact on your account

There really is no reason why a user should not have that information on an account that is using Two Factor Authentication. That is all that is needed to reset your Apple password immediately.

From the page I linked above:

”This [encrypted backup] password or key is the only way for you to access your encrypted backup …”.

I utilised the last option just to move on with a heavy heart I lost personal info stored in the whatsapp chats , I understand the obsession of apple and whatsapp to ensure data privacy but there are ways by which you can still authenticate the user as losing a password is a common thing and we should not be penalised with a lost personal data just because of it and i do not even remember if I had a password for end to end encryption in ICloud

Another curious thing is that if I am backing my data in ITunes and iCloud then why apple is asking me to restore from iCloud when rest alll of the apps I got it back from iTunes

I confirmed with apple that the iCloud gives 10 attempts to enter the password and after the time lag applies and after the 10th attempt you are doomed 🥵 and for whatsapp they are least bothered about as it’s not easy to contact their support it’s all a QandA sessions but no one comes to answer specific to our queries

I am getting to terms with the lost data and lesson learnt is that you save your important data like pictures to your photo drives and export chats with media if anything is importance relay before you switch devices as we can’t rely that we will get back our whatsapp data in iCloud / apple device

tomdin wrote:

Another curious thing is that if I am backing my data in ITunes and iCloud then why apple is asking me to restore from iCloud when rest alll of the apps I got it back from iTunes

For data saved on your phone, you can restore from either iTunes or iCloud. WhatsApp only uses iCloud as a backup option and they uses a separate 64 digit key that they require you to remember. For all data that is backed up on your phone, except for WhatsApp, here are the steps to restore from either iTunes or iCloud.

Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup - Apple Support

I confirmed with apple that the iCloud gives 10 attempts to enter the password and after the time lag applies and after the 10th attempt you are doomed 🥵 and for whatsapp they are least bothered about as it’s not easy to contact their support it’s all a QandA sessions but no one comes to answer specific to our queries

Your Apple Account will be locked after too many wrong attempts, then you just need to reset your password to gain access again. To say your doomed is a bit of an exaggeration. Your password is reset immediately using any of these 3 methods:

• Trusted Device
• Trusted Phone Number
• Account Recovery Contact

Without any of that information, you will have to use Account Recovery, and then a waiting period is required. This is only necessary if those appropriate measures were not taken before you lost our password to avoid the waiting period. Yes, remembering your password is your responsibility.

If you forgot your Apple Account password - Apple Support

I am getting to terms with the lost data and lesson learnt is that you save your important data like pictures to your photo drives and export chats with media if anything is importance relay before you switch devices as we can’t rely that we will get back our whatsapp data in iCloud / apple device

The problems faced with backing up WhatsApp data to iCloud is only due to WhatsApp using a separate 64 digit key. Apple has nothing to do with WhatsApp and cannot get the data for you. It is saved by Apple in iCloud just fine, but it is unreadable due to the key that WhatsApp requires you to have.

https://faq.whatsapp.com/490592613091019/?helpref=hc_fnav

Annievsc wrote:

I'm in the same position - i forgot my encrypted password. I'm at 12hours to change password and all my data will be deleted if I don't get it right! Pls help

It appears that WhatsApp says your data will be gone without the encryption key. Since it is their app, contact them, Apple will not be able to help recover your data.

https://faq.whatsapp.com/490592613091019/?helpref=hc_fnav

WhatsApp is not an Apple product. You’ll need to contact WhatsApp for support.

No solution for WhatsApp when we reinstall, even though we already backed up data. WhatsApp ask to fill password and 64 encryption. That makes us problem and lose all data.

Your solution will have to come from WhatsApp:

• https://www.whatsapp.com/contact
• https://faq.whatsapp.com

The passwords will not work. Don’t do further attempts.

i lost all data after 12 hours wait.

i don’t remember if i had put any password in the past.

do you remember?

I understand it's not an Apple porduct. I had contact whatsapp but no helped. I'm now with the last chance to add the PW and then they will block me and will remove the backup from icloud :(

I need your help, please!

important.

This is an absolute nightmare!! I have some really personal messages and photos from family members and friends who are now deceased, and it would be heartbreaking to lose all these (as well as all the other chats and ongoing chats from the past 7 years!). I am really worried my backup will be deleted. I now have to wait another 3 hours until I try another password. I am currently at the 7 hour wait. How many more tries will I have? I have a 14GB WhatsApp backup and also have an iCloud backup from last night, but just can't access it!! Really need some help here. Some expert out there must know a workaround. Please help!!