Reviewed October 9, 2026. On Android, WhatsApp chat backups can consume space in the Google account used for backups. An unexpectedly large backup can therefore contribute to Gmail and Google Drive storage warnings. Reducing backup size takes planning: excluding videos from future backups and permanently deleting the only existing backup are very different decisions.
Quick answer: In WhatsApp on Android, review Settings > Chats > Chat backup and the Include videos option; turn off video inclusion if you can do without backed-up clips. Before deleting an existing WhatsApp backup, preserve any chat history and media you cannot replace.
Check the actual account and feature
Use official provider settings and keep a verified backup of important information before changing cloud storage, downloads or messages. Feature availability may vary by device, account and subscription.
Confirm which Google account holds the backup
A phone may be signed into multiple Google accounts. Open WhatsApp’s Chat backup settings and identify the selected Google account rather than assuming it is the same as the Gmail address you check every day. Google’s storage manager can show storage consumed by app backups; the exact presentation may change with interface updates.
Understand what WhatsApp backs up
A WhatsApp Android backup may include messages and chosen media to allow a restore when changing phones. Whether videos are included affects its size. Cloud backups are not the same as an independent export of every attachment, and a new backup can overwrite older versions. Check the latest backup date before making any destructive change.
Switch off Include videos for smaller future backups
In WhatsApp, review Settings, Chats, Chat backup, and the video inclusion option. Excluding videos may reduce future backup growth, but any videos not backed up will need separate preservation if important. Verify your next successful backup and do not assume that changing a switch removes every old cloud copy instantly.
Free shared Google quota cautiously
Google notes that eligible WhatsApp Android backups count toward Google account storage. Review large messages and photo/video storage in other Google products before blaming the chat backup alone. If the account is full, a backup may fail to complete, so free space or consider a suitable storage plan only after understanding the data involved.
Do not delete the only chat backup casually
Google and WhatsApp warn that deleting a WhatsApp backup can be irreversible. If you later reset or lose the phone without a usable backup, chat history may not be restored. Export particularly important conversations using the app’s supported method and verify that your new backup works before clearing old data.
Check restoration requirements before switching phones
To restore an Android backup, WhatsApp normally requires relevant account and phone number information, subject to platform and encryption rules. A backup stored in one Google account does not automatically become available on another. If you use end-to-end encrypted backups, safeguard the encryption password or key without sending it to anyone.
Frequently asked questions
Does WhatsApp Android backup count toward Google storage?
Google’s current account storage guidance states that eligible WhatsApp backups on Android can count toward your Google storage.
Does disabling videos delete old WhatsApp media from my phone?
No. The backup setting primarily affects inclusion in future cloud backups; check your media and backups independently.
Can I recover a permanently deleted WhatsApp Google backup?
Recovery is not guaranteed; treat cloud backup deletion as an irreversible action.
Official source and related help
Read the current official provider help article. Another AVARIXO guide: related practical instructions. Last reviewed October 9, 2026; user interfaces and subscription policies may change later.
