Messenger Viber has long ceased to be just a means for exchanging text messages. Today it is a powerful multimedia center that accumulates gigabytes of data: photos, video files, voice messages and documents. For many users of smartphones based Android the situation when the storage is full precisely because of this application becomes a chronic problem. The system begins to work slower, and notifications about low space appear with alarming regularity.
Clearing the cache and deleting unnecessary files is not just a way to free up a couple of megabytes. This is a necessary procedure to maintain stable operation of the operating system. In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods, from simple cleaning through settings to deep deletion of system folders. You will learn how to save important correspondence and at the same time return your phone to its former speed.
You should not be afraid that during the cleaning process you will accidentally delete something important. With a competent approach to the procedure, you will only affect temporary files and duplicate media. We will look at both the built-in tools of the messenger itself and the capabilities of the system Androidthat allow you to manage application memory at a deeper level.
Using the built-in memory management tool
The developers Viber have provided a built-in mechanism for cleaning accumulated garbage, which is the most a safe way to start the procedure. This tool allows the user to visually assess how much space different types of content take up and choose what to delete. Access to it is located directly in the application interface, which eliminates the need to wander through the system settings of the phone.
To get started, you need to go to the section More → Settings → Memory. Here you will see detailed storage usage statistics. The system will show the total volume (used space) and break it down into categories: messages, media files, stickers and cache. By clicking on the clear button, you will start the process of deleting temporary data that is no longer needed for the correct operation of the app.
It is important to note that the built-in cleaning often deletes only the preview cache and temporary download files, but does not always affect the saved photos and videos in the gallery themselves. Therefore, this method is best used as regular prevention, for example, once a week. It helps keep the application in good shape without deleting your personal archives of correspondence.
Enable the "Save to gallery" function only for selected chats, so that new photos do not automatically clog up the phone's main memory.
One of the key features of this section is the ability to selectively clear. You can go to a specific chat directly from the memory menu and delete only those files that take up the most space. This is especially convenient if you have active groups where heavy video files are constantly sent, and personal correspondence takes up minimal space.
Manually clearing cache and data through Android settings
If the built-in messenger tools did not help free up enough space, you need to use the system settings of the smartphone itself. This method allows you to forcibly clear the application cache, which sometimes grows to enormous sizes due to errors in the software or failures when downloading files.
The process is as follows: open Settings your device, go to the Applications or Application managersection. Find Viberin the list. After entering the application menu, you will see a button Storage or Memory. There are two important options here: "Clear cache" and "Clear data" (or "Reset").
- 🗑️ Clear cache: deletes temporary files, speeds up work, does not affect correspondence.
- ⚠️ Clear data: completely resets the application to the state "as after installation", deleting all chats and settings.
- 📂 Managing permissions: Here you can check whether the application has access to memory to work correctly.
It is extremely important to distinguish between these two actions. Clearing the cache is a safe operation that can be performed regularly. It deletes temporary files that the application created for quick access to information. However, clearing your data will result in you having to register your phone number again and restore a backup if you have one.
Why does the cache take up so much space?
The cache builds up because the app saves copies of all the images and videos you view for quick reopening. Over time, these copies can duplicate and take up gigabytes, even if the originals have already been deleted from the chat.
In some shells Android, for example in MIUI or OneUI, a deep cleaning function is available that automatically finds large files inside applications. It is recommended to periodically check this section, as the system may offer to delete old installation packages or error logs, which also relate to application data.
Never click "Clear data" if you do not have a recent backup copy of conversations in the cloud or on local storage, otherwise you will lose your entire message history forever.
Deleting media files via file manager
The most effective way to free up a significant amount of memory is to manually delete media files through a standard file manager. Messengers often save received images and videos to public folders, which are duplicated in the phone's gallery. Removing them from there does not always clear the space occupied by the application itself, so you need to work with the internal folder structure.
On modern versions Android the path to the data may differ. Usually the files are located at Android/media/com.viber.voip or in the root directory in the folder Viber. Inside you will find subfolders such as Viber Images, Viber Videos and Viber Documents. This is where all the heavy files that you have ever received or sent are stored.
When working with files, be extremely careful. We recommend sorting files by size or date to quickly find the largest items. It often happens that one random video sent a year ago takes up more space than all the text correspondence in a month. Deleting such files will instantly free up gigabytes of space.
⚠️ Attention: When you delete files through the file manager, they disappear from chats forever. If you try to open such a message in correspondence again, it will not be available for download.
It is also worth checking the folder Stickers. Users often download sticker packs that take up space even when they are not used. Deleting unused sticker folders is an easy way to reclaim some free space without the risk of losing important documents or photos.
Setting up automatic deletion and saving
To prevent the problem with full memory from returning, it is necessary to correctly configure the automatic rules for the messenger. Viber allows the user to control the lifespan of messages and media saving parameters. These settings are located in the section Settings → Privacy i Settings → Calls and messages.
The "Automatic deletion of messages" function allows you to set the time after which messages will disappear from the chat. You can choose a period from one hour to one year. This is ideal for work chats or temporary groups, where information quickly loses its relevance and does not need long-term storage.
| Settings parameter | Impact on memory | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Save to gallery | High (file duplication) | Disable for all chats |
| Autoload media | Medium (background traffic) | Only via Wi-Fi |
| Call history | Low (text logs) | Clear once a month |
| Message lifetime | Critical (content deletion) | Install 1 month |
Another important aspect is setting up autoload. If you have media downloading enabled over your mobile network, the app will download all pictures and videos, even if you haven't opened them. Switch this option to Only via Wi-Fi or disable it completely. This will prevent unnecessary garbage from accumulating in the background.
☑️ Optimal privacy settings
Working with backups and cleaning them
Backups are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, they save your data if you lose your phone, on the other hand, they can take up significant space both on the device and in cloud storage. Local copies Viber are often stored in hidden system folders and can weigh several gigabytes if you have never cleaned them.
To check the availability and size of backups, go to Settings → Account → Viber backup. Here you will see the date of the last copy and its size. If the copy is old and you don't need data from six months ago, it can be safely deleted. The application will offer to create a new copy before deleting the old one, if you want.
It is also worth paying attention to cloud storage, such as Google Drive. Sometimes Viber creates backups there, and they count towards your Google quota. Go to Google Drive settings through a browser or application, find the "Backups" section and delete outdated messenger files if they take up too much space.
⚠️ Attention: The backup settings interface may differ on different versions of Android and in different regions. Always make sure you have an up-to-date copy before deleting old files.
Regularly managing backups helps keep not only your phone in order, but also the cloud. It is recommended to keep only one recent, current copy. All previous versions, as a rule, have no value, since they contain outdated information that is already in the current version of the database.
Where are local copies stored?
Usually local databases are located in the /databases folder inside the Viber directory on the internal drive. The files have the extension .db and can be encrypted.
Drastic measures: reinstalling the application
If none of the above methods helped free up space, or the application began to work incorrectly (crashes, slows down, does not load messages), you should resort to the last resort - a complete reinstallation. This is the most radical, but also the most effective way to clean Viber on Android of all the accumulated digital garbage.
Before deleting the application, make sure that you have created a fresh backup copy. Without this step, you risk losing your entire chat history. After creating a copy, delete the application in the standard way through the phone settings or by holding the icon on the desktop. Then download the latest version from Google Play Market.
At the first launch, Viber will detect the presence of a backup copy and offer to restore the data. This process may take some time depending on the size of the archive and Internet speed. After restoration, you will receive a “clean” application with your message history, but without accumulated cache, broken files and system errors.
⚠️ Attention: When reinstalling, secret chats may be deleted, since they are tied to a specific device and cannot be restored from a backup copy for security reasons.
This method also solves problems with desynchronization contacts and sticker display errors. A fresh installation ensures that all system files of the application will be rewritten in the correct order, which often eliminates hidden software conflicts that cannot be removed by regular cleaning.
Reinstalling the application is the only way to clear system files and databases that cannot be deleted through standard cache clearing settings.
Is it possible to recover deleted photos from Viber?
If you deleted a photo through a file manager or cleared application data, it is impossible to restore it using standard means. However, if you have synchronization enabled with Google Photos or another cloud, copies may be saved there. There are also specialized apps for data recovery, but their effectiveness is not guaranteed.
Why does Viber continue to take up space after cleaning?
This may be due to the fact that the application immediately starts re-caching data when opening chats. It is also possible that you only cleared the cache, but did not delete the media files themselves from the storage folders. Check for Viber folders in the file manager.
Is it safe to use third-party cleaning apps?
Using popular cleaners (for example, CCleaner, Files by Google) is generally safe, but requires care. Such apps may accidentally delete important files if you do not configure exceptions. It is better to use the built-in tools of Android or Viber itself.
Will my account be deleted when clearing the data?
No, your account is linked to the phone number and Viber servers, and not to files on the phone. Wiping data will only delete local chat history and settings on that specific device. When you log in again using your phone number, the account will be restored.
How to disable saving photos in the gallery forever?
Go to Viber Settings -> Privacy -> Save to gallery and select “Never”. This will prevent new photos from the messenger from appearing in the general feed of your phone, but will not delete previously saved files.