Whatsapp can't use google account for backup My old phone just died on me yesterday. It used to backup the Whatsapp chat history to my main google account, which I also used to register the device.

Now I have a new phone, and I registered it to the same google account. After installing Whatsapp, I tried to restore the google drive backup to the new installation. However, when I try to enter my google account, it tells me "This account already exists on your device"

Somehow after switching apps, Whatsapp assumed I don't want to restore a backup, and now I'm stuck with no history.

Also, when I try to setup the google drive backup on my new device, it gives me the same error when I try to enter my google account; "This account already exists on your device". I can't figure out what I am doing wrong. Is it just impossible to backup whatsapp to an account already registered to the same device?
Did you already add that Google account while setting up the phone? Please check Settings > Users &amp; accounts if that account is already added.
If it is, then try removing it and adding it again.

P.S: It may be called Accounts in older Android versions.