How to make WhatsApp load local backup instead of Google Drive?

A

AC Question

After installing the latest WhatsApp update, it prompted to make Google Drive backups. The same day the app started crashing and the chat history disappeared.
I'm trying to restore the local WhatsApp backups by uninstalling the app, configuring the db files and installing again. But on install, it only checks for backups on Google Drive. When I choose "restore", I only get the list of the groups I'm in, all empty of messages.
What to do?
Thanks.