[GH-ISSUE #442] unable to backup Whatsapp #373

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opened 2026-02-26 01:30:20 +03:00 by kerem · 28 comments
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Originally created by @Wiff1 on GitHub (Mar 31, 2014).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/jberkel/sms-backup-plus/issues/442

Prior to upgrading my phone from HTC One S to HTC one the whatsapp backup worked fine and backed up everything to my Gmail account fine. But now SMS Backup+ won't backup Whatsapp. Please can you fix this as it is a feature i really love about your app. Config as below.

Android Version: 4.4.2
Phone: HTC One
SMS Backup+ Version: 1.5.5

Originally created by @Wiff1 on GitHub (Mar 31, 2014). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/jberkel/sms-backup-plus/issues/442 Prior to upgrading my phone from HTC One S to HTC one the whatsapp backup worked fine and backed up everything to my Gmail account fine. But now SMS Backup+ won't backup Whatsapp. Please can you fix this as it is a feature i really love about your app. Config as below. Android Version: 4.4.2 Phone: HTC One SMS Backup+ Version: 1.5.5
kerem 2026-02-26 01:30:20 +03:00
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@johannes-braunias commented on GitHub (Apr 5, 2014):

I read somewhere that Whatsapp now encrypts their backup messages .... maybe that's related?
I have the same problem, it's since around 10 March 2014 that messages don't get backupped any more ...
Let us pay for SMS Backup :-) I'd be willing to purchase the app!

<!-- gh-comment-id:39634151 --> @johannes-braunias commented on GitHub (Apr 5, 2014): I read somewhere that Whatsapp now encrypts their backup messages .... maybe that's related? I have the same problem, it's since around 10 March 2014 that messages don't get backupped any more ... Let us pay for SMS Backup :-) I'd be willing to purchase the app!
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@Wiff1 commented on GitHub (Apr 6, 2014):

maybe that's it, my last backup happened 6th February. It's a real shame they aren't backed up any more. Whatsapp to text allows me to send the conversation as HTML which is cool, but unfortunately your pictures and attachments don't get included via mime or some other form.

I too would be willing to support a paid version if that's what it takes. :-)

<!-- gh-comment-id:39674979 --> @Wiff1 commented on GitHub (Apr 6, 2014): maybe that's it, my last backup happened 6th February. It's a real shame they aren't backed up any more. Whatsapp to text allows me to send the conversation as HTML which is cool, but unfortunately your pictures and attachments don't get included via mime or some other form. I too would be willing to support a paid version if that's what it takes. :-)
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@jberkel commented on GitHub (Apr 6, 2014):

try the latest beta: https://github.com/jberkel/sms-backup-plus#beta

might be fixed there.

<!-- gh-comment-id:39680602 --> @jberkel commented on GitHub (Apr 6, 2014): try the latest beta: https://github.com/jberkel/sms-backup-plus#beta might be fixed there.
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@johannes-braunias commented on GitHub (Apr 7, 2014):

Super, das funktioniert :-)
Think about integrating a "Donate" function in your app!

<!-- gh-comment-id:39742118 --> @johannes-braunias commented on GitHub (Apr 7, 2014): Super, das funktioniert :-) Think about integrating a "Donate" function in your app!
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@diegokc commented on GitHub (Apr 7, 2014):

Not found the.apk released for download.
Same problem, unable to backup Whatsapp

<!-- gh-comment-id:39762037 --> @diegokc commented on GitHub (Apr 7, 2014): Not found the.apk released for download. Same problem, unable to backup Whatsapp
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@johannes-braunias commented on GitHub (Apr 7, 2014):

Just follow the instructions:
Sign up for the beta release and then go to your android phone, open the
Play Store, go to “my apps“ and then see that there is an update available
for SMS backup+.
Am 07.04.2014 19:57 schrieb "Diego" notifications@github.com:

Not found the.apk released for download.
Same problem, unable to backup Whatsapp


Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHubhttps://github.com/jberkel/sms-backup-plus/issues/442#issuecomment-39762037
.

<!-- gh-comment-id:39770691 --> @johannes-braunias commented on GitHub (Apr 7, 2014): Just follow the instructions: Sign up for the beta release and then go to your android phone, open the Play Store, go to “my apps“ and then see that there is an update available for SMS backup+. Am 07.04.2014 19:57 schrieb "Diego" notifications@github.com: > Not found the.apk released for download. > Same problem, unable to backup Whatsapp > > — > Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHubhttps://github.com/jberkel/sms-backup-plus/issues/442#issuecomment-39762037 > .
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@sachinsuyash commented on GitHub (Apr 11, 2014):

https://plus.google.com/103559283937668441198/posts/LYFr8Nc7MHX

Check this link out and then drag to the bottom reply by me to find out a solution.
Alternatively, you can download this app- goo.gl/91UadC

<!-- gh-comment-id:40163752 --> @sachinsuyash commented on GitHub (Apr 11, 2014): https://plus.google.com/103559283937668441198/posts/LYFr8Nc7MHX Check this link out and then drag to the bottom reply by me to find out a solution. Alternatively, you can download this app- goo.gl/91UadC
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@finzir commented on GitHub (Apr 11, 2014):

Beta version 1.5.6 did backup all Whatsapp messages however won't operate the automatic backup.

<!-- gh-comment-id:40170137 --> @finzir commented on GitHub (Apr 11, 2014): Beta version 1.5.6 did backup all Whatsapp messages however won't operate the automatic backup.
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@johannes-braunias commented on GitHub (Apr 13, 2014):

Actually it does, but WhatsApp backs up their data only at 4 a.m., so you have to wait to the next day morning to see your WhatsApp messages appear on Gmail.

<!-- gh-comment-id:40309700 --> @johannes-braunias commented on GitHub (Apr 13, 2014): Actually it does, but WhatsApp backs up their data only at 4 a.m., so you have to wait to the next day morning to see your WhatsApp messages appear on Gmail.
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@finzir commented on GitHub (Apr 13, 2014):

why can't it backup the current messages like it does with sms's?

<!-- gh-comment-id:40316742 --> @finzir commented on GitHub (Apr 13, 2014): why can't it backup the current messages like it does with sms's?
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@finzir commented on GitHub (Apr 13, 2014):

That's right, but why can't it backup the current messages like with sms's?

From: johannes-braunias [mailto:notifications@github.com]
Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2014 6:07 PM
To: jberkel/sms-backup-plus
Cc: finzir
Subject: Re: [sms-backup-plus] unable to backup Whatsapp (#442)

Actually it does, but WhatsApp backs up their data only at 4 a.m., so you have to wait to the next day morning to see your WhatsApp messages appear on Gmail.


Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub https://github.com/jberkel/sms-backup-plus/issues/442#issuecomment-40309700 . https://github.com/notifications/beacon/7259242__eyJzY29wZSI6Ik5ld3NpZXM6QmVhY29uIiwiZXhwaXJlcyI6MTcxMzAyMDc5OSwiZGF0YSI6eyJpZCI6Mjg4NzIzMDB9fQ==--17f05eb17cb815b73f646c190627c0bbee16e6f3.gif

<!-- gh-comment-id:40317586 --> @finzir commented on GitHub (Apr 13, 2014): That's right, but why can't it backup the current messages like with sms's? From: johannes-braunias [mailto:notifications@github.com] Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2014 6:07 PM To: jberkel/sms-backup-plus Cc: finzir Subject: Re: [sms-backup-plus] unable to backup Whatsapp (#442) Actually it does, but WhatsApp backs up their data only at 4 a.m., so you have to wait to the next day morning to see your WhatsApp messages appear on Gmail. — Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub https://github.com/jberkel/sms-backup-plus/issues/442#issuecomment-40309700 . https://github.com/notifications/beacon/7259242__eyJzY29wZSI6Ik5ld3NpZXM6QmVhY29uIiwiZXhwaXJlcyI6MTcxMzAyMDc5OSwiZGF0YSI6eyJpZCI6Mjg4NzIzMDB9fQ==--17f05eb17cb815b73f646c190627c0bbee16e6f3.gif
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@johannes-braunias commented on GitHub (Apr 14, 2014):

This is because of WhatsApp, I guess.
The "backup" is probably a kind of export of the WhatsApp internal database.

I think that SMS Backup+ recognized the manual backups, so that means that
if you make a manual backup of the WhatsApp chats, SMS Backup+ will also
back them up to Gmail.

<!-- gh-comment-id:40352048 --> @johannes-braunias commented on GitHub (Apr 14, 2014): This is because of WhatsApp, I guess. The "backup" is probably a kind of export of the WhatsApp internal database. I think that SMS Backup+ recognized the manual backups, so that means that if you make a manual backup of the WhatsApp chats, SMS Backup+ will also back them up to Gmail.
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@Redaos commented on GitHub (Apr 22, 2014):

Please where can we have the app to download it
Thanks

<!-- gh-comment-id:41095332 --> @Redaos commented on GitHub (Apr 22, 2014): Please where can we have the app to download it Thanks
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@GCollinson commented on GitHub (May 19, 2014):

Hi Jan
sorry if I'm missing something simple. How do I

"Sign up for the beta release "

Glen

<!-- gh-comment-id:43554317 --> @GCollinson commented on GitHub (May 19, 2014): Hi Jan sorry if I'm missing something simple. How do I "Sign up for the beta release " Glen
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@johannes-braunias commented on GitHub (May 20, 2014):

Here:
https://github.com/jberkel/sms-backup-plus#beta

Beta testing

If you want to help beta testing, join the community on Google+ ( https://plus.google.com/communities/113290889178902750997 ) and follow the "Become a beta tester" link in the "About this community box". You will be asked to opt in to the beta program (you can leave it at any time).

Once opted in your device will automatically update to the latest beta which might have bug fixes and features not found in the currently released version.

<!-- gh-comment-id:43647671 --> @johannes-braunias commented on GitHub (May 20, 2014): Here: https://github.com/jberkel/sms-backup-plus#beta Beta testing If you want to help beta testing, join the community on Google+ ( https://plus.google.com/communities/113290889178902750997 ) and follow the "Become a beta tester" link in the "About this community box". You will be asked to opt in to the beta program (you can leave it at any time). Once opted in your device will automatically update to the latest beta which might have bug fixes and features not found in the currently released version.
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@AbinashBishoyi commented on GitHub (Jun 12, 2014):

Please follow these steps in a Linux environment:

adb backup -f whatsapp.ab -noapk com.whatsapp

This will cause a prompt on your phone as shown below. Click on the “Back up my data” button without providing a password.

dd if=whatsapp.ab bs=1 skip=24 | python -c "import zlib,sys;sys.stdout.write(zlib.decompress(sys.stdin.read()))"

adb push apps/com.whatsapp/f/key /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/.nomedia

Then install WhatsApp Tri-Crypt: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tricrypt

<!-- gh-comment-id:45822985 --> @AbinashBishoyi commented on GitHub (Jun 12, 2014): Please follow these steps in a Linux environment: adb backup -f whatsapp.ab -noapk com.whatsapp This will cause a prompt on your phone as shown below. Click on the “Back up my data” button without providing a password. dd if=whatsapp.ab bs=1 skip=24 | python -c "import zlib,sys;sys.stdout.write(zlib.decompress(sys.stdin.read()))" adb push apps/com.whatsapp/f/key /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/.nomedia Then install WhatsApp Tri-Crypt: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tricrypt
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@AbinashBishoyi commented on GitHub (Jun 14, 2014):

https://plus.google.com/118243877268559758058/posts/QdPz13C525x

<!-- gh-comment-id:46090647 --> @AbinashBishoyi commented on GitHub (Jun 14, 2014): https://plus.google.com/118243877268559758058/posts/QdPz13C525x
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@joelpurra commented on GitHub (Aug 18, 2014):

I can confirm that the code released by @AbinashBishoyi works well with TriCrypt on an unrooted phone. Added a fix for Mac OS X and a few improvements to the original repo, AbinashBishoyi/WhatsApp-Key-DB-Extractor.

<!-- gh-comment-id:52485756 --> @joelpurra commented on GitHub (Aug 18, 2014): I can confirm that the code released by @AbinashBishoyi works well with [TriCrypt](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tricrypt) on an unrooted phone. Added a [fix for Mac OS X and a few improvements](AbinashBishoyi/https://github.com/AbinashBishoyi/WhatsApp-Key-DB-Extractor/pull/1) to the original repo, [AbinashBishoyi/WhatsApp-Key-DB-Extractor](https://github.com/AbinashBishoyi/WhatsApp-Key-DB-Extractor/).
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@Shehan1988 commented on GitHub (Oct 6, 2014):

@AbinashBishoyi : 100% works..
Version 4.0.4

<!-- gh-comment-id:57980516 --> @Shehan1988 commented on GitHub (Oct 6, 2014): @AbinashBishoyi : 100% works.. Version 4.0.4
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@peterbehr commented on GitHub (Oct 31, 2014):

@AbinashBishoyi @jberkel any chance that this fix could be integrated in a near future release? Backing up WhatsApp would be a great feature to have once again. (At the very least, perhaps the various open WhatsApp issues here could be reduced to a single open one.)

<!-- gh-comment-id:61218474 --> @peterbehr commented on GitHub (Oct 31, 2014): @AbinashBishoyi @jberkel any chance that this fix could be integrated in a near future release? Backing up WhatsApp would be a great feature to have once again. (At the very least, perhaps the various open WhatsApp issues here could be reduced to a single open one.)
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@diaz8 commented on GitHub (Nov 21, 2014):

Hi,

Only to update the information, the command "dd" doesn't finish as is written on the post.
After downloading de script and comparing with the command written in it I have observed than command:
dd if=whatsapp.ab bs=1 skip=24 | python -c "import zlib,sys;sys.stdout.write(zlib.decompress(sys.stdin.read()))"

should be:

dd if=whatsapp.ab bs=1 skip=24 | python -c "import zlib,sys;sys.stdout.write(zlib.decompress(sys.stdin.read()))" | tar x

Otherwise the command will not finish when launching from the shell.

Thank you very much AbinashBishoyi!!!!

<!-- gh-comment-id:63939152 --> @diaz8 commented on GitHub (Nov 21, 2014): Hi, Only to update the information, the command "dd" doesn't finish as is written on the post. After downloading de script and comparing with the command written in it I have observed than command: dd if=whatsapp.ab bs=1 skip=24 | python -c "import zlib,sys;sys.stdout.write(zlib.decompress(sys.stdin.read()))" should be: dd if=whatsapp.ab bs=1 skip=24 | python -c "import zlib,sys;sys.stdout.write(zlib.decompress(sys.stdin.read()))" | tar x Otherwise the command will not finish when launching from the shell. Thank you very much AbinashBishoyi!!!!
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@jberkel commented on GitHub (Nov 21, 2014):

@AbinashBishoyi thanks for coming up with this solution and helping people with their whatsapp issues. however since your solution requires adb i don't see a way how this could be integrated into the app itself. maybe a link + some extra documentation would help ? i now think that adding whatsapp support to the app was a mistake since it requires a lot of maintenance and breaks very easily.

<!-- gh-comment-id:63950250 --> @jberkel commented on GitHub (Nov 21, 2014): @AbinashBishoyi thanks for coming up with this solution and helping people with their whatsapp issues. however since your solution requires adb i don't see a way how this could be integrated into the app itself. maybe a link + some extra documentation would help ? i now think that adding whatsapp support to the app was a mistake since it requires a lot of maintenance and breaks very easily.
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@johannes-braunias commented on GitHub (Dec 13, 2014):

Unfortunately, the Tricrypt solution worked only for one installation. After moving to another phone and Android ROM, I got various error messages (something related to a key, and failing to decrpypt).

@jberkel Which file did you use to extract the Whatsapp messages, before they changed the encryption?
Maybe you could offer the option (for rooted devices) to process directly the file /data/data/com.whatsapp/databases/msgstore.db
This is the unencrypted file, as I understood, and accessable for rooted devices.
And it is always up-to-date – compared to the file(s) in /sdcard/Whatsapp/Databases/

Together with the media files in /sdcard/Whatsapp/, it could be used to back up WhatsApp messages again?

Another point:
I guess, many users would like to support your work. Why don't include a Donate option, if you don't want to go for a paid version?

Kind regards

<!-- gh-comment-id:66890033 --> @johannes-braunias commented on GitHub (Dec 13, 2014): Unfortunately, the Tricrypt solution worked only for one installation. After moving to another phone and Android ROM, I got various error messages (something related to a key, and failing to decrpypt). @jberkel Which file did you use to extract the Whatsapp messages, before they changed the encryption? Maybe you could offer the option (for rooted devices) to process directly the file /data/data/com.whatsapp/databases/msgstore.db This is the unencrypted file, as I understood, and accessable for rooted devices. And it is always up-to-date – compared to the file(s) in /sdcard/Whatsapp/Databases/ Together with the media files in /sdcard/Whatsapp/, it could be used to back up WhatsApp messages again? Another point: I guess, many users would like to support your work. Why don't include a Donate option, if you don't want to go for a paid version? Kind regards
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@jberkel commented on GitHub (Dec 20, 2014):

Are you sure the db is unencrypted on root devices ? If that's the case it would be easy to support.

However I decided to stop supporting whatsapp in SMS Backup+, it's too tricky to maintain. If somebody wants to add support for rooted phones I'd be happy to integrate the changes though.

And there is already a donation option in the app.

<!-- gh-comment-id:67735715 --> @jberkel commented on GitHub (Dec 20, 2014): Are you sure the db is unencrypted on root devices ? If that's the case it would be easy to support. However I decided to stop supporting whatsapp in SMS Backup+, it's too tricky to maintain. If somebody wants to add support for rooted phones I'd be happy to integrate the changes though. And there is already a donation option in the app.
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@johannes-braunias commented on GitHub (Dec 20, 2014):

Hello Jan,

I got this information from here:
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/24475815/how-to-convert-msgstore-db-crypt7-to-msgstore-db-from-whatsapp-in-android (first answer)

I wanted to merge WhatsApp msgstore files and came to the following post about using SQLite Compare:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=28899881#post28899881

A third link in this search was http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-nexus/general/guide-phone-backup-unlock-root-t1420351 - helped me to understand the adb backup mechanism more.

Schöne Feiertage.
Johannes

<!-- gh-comment-id:67739983 --> @johannes-braunias commented on GitHub (Dec 20, 2014): Hello Jan, I got this information from here: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/24475815/how-to-convert-msgstore-db-crypt7-to-msgstore-db-from-whatsapp-in-android (first answer) I wanted to merge WhatsApp msgstore files and came to the following post about using SQLite Compare: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=28899881#post28899881 A third link in this search was http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-nexus/general/guide-phone-backup-unlock-root-t1420351 - helped me to understand the adb backup mechanism more. Schöne Feiertage. Johannes
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@anupamsingh27101983 commented on GitHub (Mar 22, 2015):

it does not work anymore. all success without key file.

<!-- gh-comment-id:84581654 --> @anupamsingh27101983 commented on GitHub (Mar 22, 2015): it does not work anymore. all success without key file.
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@jberkel commented on GitHub (Jun 12, 2015):

no longer supported, whatsapp will be completely removed in the next version

<!-- gh-comment-id:111415458 --> @jberkel commented on GitHub (Jun 12, 2015): no longer supported, whatsapp will be completely removed in the next version
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@cyclonmaster-zz commented on GitHub (Jul 30, 2015):

I want to merge new message received message with old database message(from database backup file). The only way last time I did is backup new message to gmail.

Uninstall whatsapp, install & restore last old backup. Then restore new message from gmail to whatsapp using smsbackup+.

Now it is completely not working due to new whatsapp & smsbackup+ remove it because of complicated solution to cover changes being done by whatsapp.

The only solution I can think of is backup new whatsapp message using mybackuppro(or any backup app), then uninstall whatsapp, install old whatsapp(previously work) and install last smsbackup+ that support backup to gmail.

Disconnect internet connection. Back dated phone date time to last working date for that whatsapp version. Restore whatsapp data using mybackuppro. Check whatsapp while still offline. Close & Kill whatsapp process using cleanmaster.

Connect to internet(online), BACKUP whatsapp message to gmail using old smsbackup+. Once finish, check whatsapp msg in gmail. Then uninstall and install same old whatsapp version and restore old whatsapp database while still in back dated setting. Then RESTORE whatsapp from gmail to whatsapp using old smsbackup+.

Now can update date to normal and update whatsapp.

This is the solution I can think still work. I want to test it.

I wonder what whatsapp version that last working with smsbackup+ that support and working backup/retore to gmail?

Which Whatsapp? http://www.apkmirror.com/apk/whatsapp-inc/whatsapp/
I suppose last is smsbackup+ 1.5.9-BETA5 https://github.com/jberkel/sms-backup-plus/releases

<!-- gh-comment-id:126352773 --> @cyclonmaster-zz commented on GitHub (Jul 30, 2015): I want to merge new message received message with old database message(from database backup file). The only way last time I did is backup new message to gmail. Uninstall whatsapp, install & restore last old backup. Then restore new message from gmail to whatsapp using smsbackup+. Now it is completely not working due to new whatsapp & smsbackup+ remove it because of complicated solution to cover changes being done by whatsapp. The only solution I can think of is backup new whatsapp message using mybackuppro(or any backup app), then uninstall whatsapp, install old whatsapp(previously work) and install last smsbackup+ that support backup to gmail. Disconnect internet connection. Back dated phone date time to last working date for that whatsapp version. Restore whatsapp data using mybackuppro. Check whatsapp while still offline. Close & Kill whatsapp process using cleanmaster. Connect to internet(online), BACKUP whatsapp message to gmail using old smsbackup+. Once finish, check whatsapp msg in gmail. Then uninstall and install same old whatsapp version and restore old whatsapp database while still in back dated setting. Then RESTORE whatsapp from gmail to whatsapp using old smsbackup+. Now can update date to normal and update whatsapp. This is the solution I can think still work. I want to test it. I wonder what whatsapp version that last working with smsbackup+ that support and working backup/retore to gmail? Which Whatsapp? http://www.apkmirror.com/apk/whatsapp-inc/whatsapp/ I suppose last is smsbackup+ 1.5.9-BETA5 https://github.com/jberkel/sms-backup-plus/releases
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