Smartphone users Samsung often face the need to transfer correspondence history to a new device or restore data after accidentally deleting an application. The question of where backup files are physically located WhatsApp on the system Androidbecomes critical in such situations. Understanding the structure of your gadget's file system allows you not only to return lost messages, but also to manually save important databases before resetting the settings.
In this article we will examine in detail the two main ways to store archives: local storage of the smartphone itself and a cloud service Google Drive. Local copies are created automatically every night, unless this function is disabled in the settings, and are stored in the internal memory or on a memory card microSD. However, access to these folders on modern versions Android (starting from version 11) has been significantly limited by Google security policies, which causes difficulties for many owners Samsung Galaxy.
We will look at the current paths to database files msgstore.db.crypt, we will explain the differences in the directory structure for different versions of the operating system system and provide step-by-step guide for manually copying and restoring chats. You will learn how to bypass access restrictions to system folders and where exactly to look for treasured files if a standard search through the file manager does not produce results.
Local storage: path to database files
By default, the application WhatsApp saves daily backups in the internal memory of the device. Before updating to Android 11 these files were located in the root of the internal memory in the folder WhatsApp. However, on modern smartphones Samsungrunning new versions of One UI i Android, the directory structure has changed in accordance with the requirements of Scoped Storage.
Now the main path to local backups looks like this: Internal memory/Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases. It is in this directory that files with extensions .db.crypt14, .db.crypt15 or other encryption versions corresponding to your version of the messenger are stored. The file named msgstore.db.cryptXX (no date in the name) is the most recent copy that the application uses during recovery.
If you use a memory card microSD to store media files, the situation may be different. In the settings of the messenger itself, you can specify saving media to an external device, but chat databases still often remain in internal storage for security and performance reasons. You can check the current storage status by going to the application menu: Settings → Chats → Chat backup.
If you do not see the Android folder in the file manager, try using a third-party explorer, for example, Solid Explorer or Files by Google, since the standard "My Files" from Samsung sometimes hides system directories by by default.
⚠️ Attention: Direct editing of database files is impossible without decrypting the key. Any attempts to change the file name or move it manually should be made only with the WhatsApp application turned off, otherwise the recovery process may fail.
Access features on Android 11, 12, 13 and later
Starting from Android 11, Google has implemented strict restrictions on app and user access to folder Android on a shared drive. This was done to protect user data from malware. Owners Samsung may notice that when trying to access Android/media through a standard explorer, the system displays a message about access being denied or shows an empty folder.
To access backup copies under these conditions, you will need to grant special permissions to the file manager. In some cases, the standard manager Samsung does not allow you to enter this directory even with superuser rights without root access. It is recommended to use specialized utilities that request access through the system interface SAF (Storage Access Framework).
An alternative way to view content is to connect the smartphone to the computer via a USB cable. In file transfer mode (MTP), the computer often displays the directory structure more fully, allowing you to copy a folder Databases to your hard drive for secure storage. This is especially true before performing a factory reset.
- 📂 Use third-party file managers (Total Commander, X-plore) to bypass folder visibility restrictions.
- 💻 Connect the device to a PC to directly copy files from protected directories.
- 🔒 Do not delete file
key(if it is available), since without it decryption of the backup is impossible.
Backup to Google Drive
In addition to local storage, WhatsApp offers a cloud backup function through the service Google Drive. This method is the most convenient for most users, as it does not take up space in the internal memory of the smartphone and allows you to restore chats even if the device is completely lost or broken. Samsung.
Files uploaded to the cloud do not have a physical path in your phone’s file manager that could be opened and viewed. They are stored in a hidden part of your Google account and are associated with your phone number and account Gmail. You cannot view the contents of such a backup directly through the Google Drive interface - only the date of the last save and the occupied space are displayed there.
To configure the automatic creation of cloud copies, you need to go to the application settings and select the item Chat backup. Here you can set the frequency (daily, weekly, monthly) and connection conditions (only via Wi-Fi or also via a mobile network). It is important to make sure that you have enough free space in your Google account, otherwise the archive creation process will be interrupted.
⚠️ Attention: If you change your phone number or switch to another operating system (for example, from Android to iOS), restoring from a Google Drive copy may not be available or may require complex data migration procedures.
Searching for copies on a microSD memory card
Many users Samsung use memory cards microSD to expand storage. If the option to save media to a card was previously activated in WhatsApp settings, then the folder structure may have partially moved there. However, starting from certain versions of the update, the messenger is forced to store databases only in the internal memory.
However, it is worth checking the memory card for the presence of the folder WhatsApp. The path may look like sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases or sdcard/Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databasesif the card is formatted as internal storage (Adoptable Storage). The presence of files msgstore on the card greatly simplifies the process of transferring data to a new phone.
If you removed the memory card from the old device and inserted it into the new one, make sure that it is mounted correctly by the system. Sometimes Android requires confirmation of the card format or entering an encryption PIN code if the card was used as internal memory on another device. Without successful mounting, the backup files will remain inaccessible to the application.
| Storage type | File path | Availability | Risk of loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal memory | Android/media/com.whatsapp/... |
Limited (Android 11+) | High (on reset) |
| Google Drive | Cloud (hidden) | High (account required) | Low |
| Memory card | SD card/WhatsApp/... |
Free | Medium (physical breakdown) |
Local copies on a memory card are the most reliable way to physically transfer data between devices without using the Internet, but require manual control over them relevance.
How to manually create and restore a backup
Sometimes automatic creation of backups does not work, or you need to save the state of chats right before an important update. In this case, you can create a backup manually through the app interface. This process initiates immediate saving of the current database to the selected storage (local or Google Drive).
To restore data from a local copy, you will need a file manager. The procedure involves deleting the current WhatsApp application (with data clearing), installing it again and placing the backup file in the desired directory to first launch and verification of the number. The system will automatically detect the file and offer recovery.
It is important to follow the sequence of actions: first copy the file msgstore.db.cryptXX to the folder Databases, renaming it if necessary (removing the date from the name if you are restoring not the latest copy), and only then start installing the messenger.
☑️ Checklist before recovery
⚠️ Attention: Restoring from a local copy will overwrite all current messages on the phone with those that were at the time the backup was created. Any new messages received after the date the copy was created will be permanently lost.
Solving problems with displaying files
If you follow the instructions but do not find the folder Databases or the files inside it are empty, the application may have been reinstalled recently and the first automatic copy has not yet been created. It is also worth checking whether the backup option is disabled in the settings of the application itself.
In rare cases, the problem lies in storage access rights. Go to Settings → Applications → WhatsApp → Permissions and make sure that access to Memory or Files and media is allowed. Without this permission, the messenger will not be able to write backup files to disk.
For advanced users who are faced with complete lack of access to the folder Android even through third-party managers, it is possible to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) via a computer. This method allows you to copy files directly, bypassing the Android GUI restrictions.
adb pull /sdcard/Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases C:\Backup\WhatsAppThis command will copy the entire database folder on your computer to a directory C:\Backup\WhatsApp. Make sure that USB debugging is enabled on your phone in the menu For developers.
What to do if the encryption file is damaged?
If you receive an error about a damaged file when restoring, try renaming the older copy (with the date in the name) to msgstore.db.cryptXX by deleting current corrupted file. Sometimes this helps to restore at least part of the correspondence.
Frequently asked questions about backups
Is it possible to read a backup file on a computer without a phone?
No, WhatsApp database files are encrypted with a unique key, which is stored in a protected area of the smartphone's memory. Without this key, which cannot be extracted without root access and a complex system dumping procedure, it is impossible to decrypt correspondence on a PC.
How often are local backups created on Samsung?
By default, the application creates a local copy every day at 2 am. The latest 7 daily copies are stored. Old files are automatically deleted to save space unless otherwise configured for storage in Google Drive.
Will the backup disappear when you reset the phone to factory settings?
Yes, resetting to factory settings (Hard Reset) completely clears the internal memory of the device, including the folder Android/media. If you do not have a copy on your memory card or in Google Drive, the data will be lost forever.
Why are there many files with different dates in the Databases folder?
This is an archive of past backups. WhatsApp stores history for the last 7 days. The file without a date in the name is the most current backup that will be used during recovery. The remaining files serve as insurance in case of damage to the main database.