Deleting videos from Viber on a smartphone Android is a situation that many users face. Most often this happens by accident: an awkward touch, clearing a chat, or even resetting the phone to factory settings. Fortunately, in most cases, files can be returned - if you act quickly and correctly.
In this article we will examine all possible ways to restorefrom standard messenger functions to the use of specialized apps. It is important to understand that success depends on several factors: Viber synchronization settings, deletion type (from chat or from a device), as well as time elapsed since deletion. For example, a video deleted from the phone gallery is easier to restore than one that was erased from the cloud storage of the messenger.
Before you start, check if a copy of the video is saved in another place: perhaps you forwarded it to another chat, took a screenshot, or automatically saved it to Google Photos. If not, read on.
1. Checking the Viber trash (if the video is deleted from the chat)
Since 2022 Viber has added a function "Trash" for temporary storage of deleted messages and media files. This is the first step that is worth checking if the video has disappeared from the conversation, but has not yet been deleted from the device.
How it works:
- ๐ฑ Files are stored in the trash up to 30 days (the exact period depends on the version of the application).
- ๐ The video can be restored back to the chat or saved to your phone.
- โ ๏ธ If you emptied the trash manually or reinstalled Viber, the files will be lost forever.
Instructions:
- Open the chat from which the video disappeared.
- Tap on
โฎ (three dots) โ Trash. - Find the video you need (you can search by date).
- Click on the file and select
RecoverorSave to device.
โ ๏ธ Attention: If the settings Viber is disabled optionSave media in gallery, the video might not end up in the phone trash, even if it was in the chat. Check this option inSettings โ Media.
2. Restoring from a Viber backup automatically creates backup copies of chats and media files, but in the settings. Copies are stored in
Viber automatically backs up chats and media files, but only if this function is enabled in the settings. Copies are stored in Google Drive (for Android) or locally on the device. Videos are restored along with the correspondence history.
How to check and restore:
- Delete Viber from the phone (don't be afraid - the data will not be lost if a copy yes).
- Install the application again from Google Play.
- When you first start it, the system will offer to restore data from a backup copy. Select the most recent one.
- Wait for the process to complete (may take up to 10-15 minutes depending on the amount of data).
If a copy is not automatically offered:
- ๐ Check if synchronization is enabled in
Settings โ Account โ Backup. - ๐ Local copies are stored along the path
/storage/emulated/0/Viber/backup(a file manager with access to root folders is required).
| Copy type | Where it is stored | How restore | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud (Google Drive) | In Google account | Reinstalling Viber โ selecting a copy | Requires internet, may not contain video if they are not synchronized |
| Local | /Viber/backup/ on the phone | Manually transferring the file to the Viber folder after reinstallation | Can be overwritten by a new copy |
| Copy on PC | When manually exported via Viber Desktop | Import via desktop version | Videos are saved only if they were downloaded to PC |
โ ๏ธ Attention: If you changed phone number or deleted Viber account, backup copies may have been lost. In this case, proceed to the following methods.
3. Searching for a video in the Viber cache
Even if the video is deleted from the chat and trash, a copy of it could remain in application cache. This method works if the file has not been physically erased from the phone's memory (for example, by clearing the cache or resetting settings).
Instructions:
- Install a file manager with access to system folders (for example, FX Explorer or Solid Explorer).
- Navigate to the path:
/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.viber.voip/files/viber_media/Or an alternative path (for older versions):
/sdcard/Android/data/com.viber.voip/cache/ - Look for folders with the names
Viber Videos,Viber Downloadsormedia. - Copy the found files to a safe place (for example, to a memory card or to the cloud).
What to do if the folder is empty:
- ๐ Try restart the phone โ sometimes the cache is loaded after a restart.
- ๐ฑ Check
Downloads folder(/Download/) โ Viber sometimes it saves files there. - ๐ Use extension search: in the file manager, enter
.mp4or.3gp.
If the video is found in the cache but does not play, try renaming the file by adding the .mp4 extension manually. For example, video_12345 โ video_12345.mp4.
4. Using data recovery apps
If the previous methods did not work, specialized utilities for file recovery will come to the rescue. They scan the phone's memory at level. data-i="139">and can find the video, even if it was deleted a long time ago. Important: RAW data and can find the video even if it was deleted a long time ago. Important: do not write new files to the phone before recovery - this reduces the chances of success.
Top 3 apps for Android:
- ๐ ๏ธ DiskDigger โ the free version searches for videos and photos, supports recovery without root access (but with limitations).
- ๐ง EaseUS MobiSaver โ paid software with deep scanning, works with memory cards.
- ๐ฑ Recuva (for PC) โ if you connect the phone to the computer as a drive.
Step-by-step guide for DiskDigger:
Install the application from Google Play|Select the file type (check "Video")|Run a deep scan (requires root for full access)|View the found files and save them to a memory card or to the cloud|Do not save the recovered files to the same partition where you are looking!
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What you need to know:
- ๐ Without root access apps see only cached or not completely deleted files.
- โณ Scanning may take from 20 minutes to several hours depending on the volume memory.
- ๐พ Recovered videos may be damaged (without sound, with artifacts).
โ ๏ธ Attention: If the phone encrypted (for example, through File-Based Encryption in new versions Android), recovery apps will not be able to read the data without unlocking.
5. Recovering via Google Photos or other clouds
Many users do not know that Viber can automatically save received videos to Google Photos, Gallery or other cloud services. This depends on the synchronization settings on the phone.
Where to look:
- ๐ผ๏ธ Google Photos: open the application โ
Library โ Trash(stores files for 60 days). - โ๏ธ Yandex Disk / Mail.ru Cloud: check the folder
AutoloadorViber. - ๐ Local DCIM folder: sometimes videos are saved in
/DCIM/Viber/.
How to enable autosave in the future:
- Open
Viber Settings โ Media. - Activate the option
Save to gallery. - Select what types of files to save (videos, photos, documents).
Why may the video not be saved to the gallery?
If the option is disabled in Viber settings, or if you receive videos in secret chat (autosave does not work there). Also, some manufacturers (for example Xiaomi or Huawei) block application access to the storage - check the permissions for Viber in the Android settings.
6. Contacting Viber support (extreme case)
If the video had critical importance (for example, evidence for a court or a unique recording), you can try contacting support Viber. Success is not guaranteed, but in rare cases they can recover data from the servers.
How to correctly formulate a request:
- ๐ Specify exact date and time receiving/deleting the video.
- ๐ข Attach Chat ID (can be found in the dialogue information).
- ๐ Describe the situation in as much detail as possible (for example, โthe video was deleted from the chat with user X after the update applications").
Where to write:
- ๐ง Official feedback form:
https://support.viber.com(sectionMissing Media Files). - ๐ฌ Support chat in itself Viber:
Settings โ Help โ Contact support.
โ ๏ธ Attention: Viber does not guarantee recovery of user data, especially if more than 48. hours has passed since deletion. Messenger servers are not designed for long-term storage of media files.
7. How to prevent video loss in the future
To no longer face the problem of losing important files, follow these rules:
The most reliable way is manual duplication video to the cloud or on a PC immediately after receiving. synchronization failures.
- โ๏ธ Enable autosave in Viber i Google Photos.
- ๐ Create backups regularly chats (in settings Viber you can set up weekly backups).
- ๐ Use file managers to manually transfer important videos to a memory card or PC.
- ๐ซ Avoid clearing the cache Viber via system utilities (for example,
Optimizeron Xiaomi).
Additional measures:
- ๐ For especially important files use archivers (for example, RAR) with a password.
- ๐ก Set up synchronization with NAS (network storage) if you have a router with such a function.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about restoring videos from Viber
Is it possible to restore a video if I deleted Viber and installed it again without a backup?
The chances are minimal. Without a backup or saved files in the cache/gallery. the video is considered lost. Try data recovery apps (section 4), but do not expect 100% results.
The video has been restored, but cannot be played. What to do?
Try:
- Rename the file by adding the correct extension (
.mp4,.mov). - Open it via VLC Player โit supports damaged files.
- Use online services for video recovery (for example, Online Video Repair).
How much does video recovery cost through professional services?
The cost depends on difficulties:
- ๐ป Software recovery (without root): 0โ500 โฝ (free versions of utilities or purchasing Pro).
- ๐ง Hardware recovery (if the phone's memory is damaged): 3 000โ10 000 โฝ in service centers.
- โ๏ธ Recovery via Viber Support: usually free, but without guarantees.
Is it possible to recover a video sent in a Viber secret chat?
It is impossible to restore videos from secret chats. They are stored only on the device and are permanently deleted after clearing the chat or reinstalling the application. The only way to save them is to manually copy them to another location before deleting.
Will resetting the phone to factory settings help restore the video?
No, this will delete all dataincluding cache Viber and remaining files. Resetting is an extreme measure that should only be used if you are sure that the video is saved in the cloud or on another device.