The transition to a new smartphone is always associated with the question: how to save correspondence history in WhatsApp? Even if you use the same app on both devices, chats will not automatically sync. The reason lies in the architecture of the messenger: the data is tied to a specific phone, and not to an account Google or WhatsApp. Without the right backup, you risk losing years of correspondence, media files and important documents.

In this article we will look all current methods of transferring chats between Android devices - from official backup via Google Drive to manual methods using a PC. We will pay special attention to the nuances that are often missed in standard instructions: what to do if the backup is not restored, how to transfer chats without losing the quality of media files, and why sometimes you have to wait up to 24 hours for the process to complete. You will also learn what Whatsapp imposes hidden restrictions on the volume of backup copies and how to bypass them.

1. Preparing for the transfer: what you need to do before you start

Before you begin the transfer, make sure both devices meet key requirements. This will save you from errors like “Failed to restore chats” or endless loading of the backup.

Minimum conditions for a successful transfer:

  • 📱 Both phones must be on the base Android 5.0+ (for Google Drive-backup - Android 7.0+). On older versions, use a local backup.
  • 🔑 The new device must have the same phone numberas on the old one (or a SIM card with this number for activation).
  • 📶 Stable Internet connection (Wi-Fi recommended). A 10 GB backup will require ~30-50 minutes of downloading.
  • 🔋 Battery charge at least 50% on both devices. Interrupting the process can damage the backup.

If you plan to use Google Drivecheck:

  • 📁 On an old phone enough space in Google Drive (free - 15 GB, but backup WhatsApp can weigh up to 10-15 GB with active media sharing).
  • 🔒 On the new phone login to the same Google accountas on the old one. Otherwise, the backup will not be displayed.
  • ⏳ The latest backup in Google Drive not older 1 year. Old copies are automatically deleted.
⚠️ Attention: If the new phone was already installed WhatsApp with a different number, first delete it via Settings → Applications → WhatsApp → Delete. Otherwise, the system will not offer to restore chats.
📊 How often do you backup WhatsApp?
Once a week
Once a month
Only before changing phone
Never

This is the most reliable method, supported by itself WhatsApp. It is suitable for most users, but has limitations: for example does not work on some Chinese firmware (for example, MIUI no services Google) and requires enough space in the cloud.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Create a backup on your old phone:
    • Open WhatsApp → ⋮ (menu) → Settings → Chat → Backup.
    • Click Create a copy (if necessary, select an account Google).
    • Wait for completion (may take up to an hour if there is a large amount of data).
  • Install WhatsApp on your new phone:
    • Download the application from Google Play and launch it.
    • Enter same phone numberas on the old device.
    • When the request appears, press Restore (if the offer does not appear, check that you logged into the same Google account).

    What to do if the backup is not restored?

    • 🔄 Reboot both phones and try again.
    • 📡 Check your Wi-Fi connection (mobile data may block downloading large files).
    • ⏳ Wait 2-3 hours - sometimes recovery occurs with a delay.
    • 📌 Make sure that on the new phone enough free space (backup takes about 1.5-2 times more space than it weighs in the cloud).
    Problem Possible cause Solution
    Backup is not created Not enough space on the phone or in Google Drive Clear memory or buy additional space in the cloud
    "Failed to restore" Different Google accounts on devices Sign in to the same account as on your old phone
    Backup hangs at 0% Unstable Internet connection Connect to another Wi-Fi network
    No offer to restore chats WhatsApp was already installed with a different number Delete the application and install it again
    ⚠️ Attention: If you use WhatsApp Business, backups of this application not compatible with normal WhatsApp and vice versa. You cannot transfer data between them.

    Logged into the same Google account|Connected to Wi-Fi|There is enough space on the phone|Backup was created no later than 1 year ago|WhatsApp was not installed earlier-->

    3. Method 2: Local backup via PC (for large amounts of data)

    If the correspondence history weighs tens of gigabytes or you do not have access to Google Drive, use local backup. This method requires more steps, but is reliable and does not depend on cloud services.

    What you will need:

    • 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS or Linux.
    • 📱 Cable USB-Type C (or Micro-USB, depending on the model).
    • 📂 Access to the phone’s internal memory (permission to read files).

    Instructions:

    1. Create a local backup on your old phone:
      • Open WhatsApp → Settings → Chat → Backup → Local copy.
      • Click Create a copy. The file will be saved in a folder /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases under the name msgstore.db.crypt14 (or crypt12 for older versions).
    2. Copy the backup to your PC:
      • Connect your phone to the computer and allow access to files.
      • Find the folder WhatsApp/Databases and copy from there all files with the extension .crypt* i .db.
    3. Transfer the backup to a new phone:
      • Install WhatsApp on the new device, but do not launch it.
      • Connect the new phone to the PC and create a folder WhatsApp/Databases in the root of the internal memory.
      • Copy the previously saved backup files there.
  • Restore chats:
    • Run WhatsApp and register with the same number.
    • The application will automatically find a local backup and will offer to restore it.

    Nuances of the method:

    • 🔐 Backup files encrypted —they cannot be read without WhatsApp.
    • 📅 A local backup is created automatically every day in 2:00 (if the phone is connected to charging and Wi-Fi).
    • 🚫 If you have already launched WhatsApp on a new phone, delete folder WhatsApp before copying the backup.
    What to do if WhatsApp does not see the local backup?

    1. Check that the file is called exactly msgstore.db.crypt14 (not msgstore.db.crypt14.copy).

    2. Make sure that the folder Databases is inside WhatsApp, and not in the root of memory.

    3. Restart your phone and try again.

    4. If used Android 11+give WhatsApp permission to access files via Settings → Applications → WhatsApp → Permissions → Storage (you may need to select "All files").

    4. Method 3: Transfer through third-party apps (for advanced users)

    If standard methods do not work (for example, due to custom firmware or lack of Google services), you can use specialized utilities. The most reliable:

    • 🔧 Dr.Fone — WhatsApp Transfer (paid, but with a trial period).
    • 🔧 Backuptrans Android WhatsApp Transfer (works without root).
    • 🔧 MobileTrans (supports transfer between different OS, including iOS).

    How to transfer chats using Dr.Fone:

    1. Install the app on your PC and connect both phones via USB (turn on USB debugging to Settings → For developers).
    2. Select an option WhatsApp Transfer → Transfer WhatsApp messages.
    3. Specify the source (old phone) and target (new phone).
    4. Click Start and wait for completion (may take up to 1 hour for large backups).

    Pros and cons method:

    Advantages Disadvantages
    Works without Google Drive and root access Paid software (from $30 per license)
    Supports transfer between Android and iOS May not work on some custom firmware
    Saves call history and stickers Requires installation of additional software on the PC
    ⚠️ Attention: Some apps (for example, Titanium Backup) require root access, which will void the phone's warranty and may lead to unstable system operation. Use them only if other methods have not worked.
    💡

    Before using third-party apps, check reviews on the forums (for example, 4PDA or XDA-Developers). Some utilities may contain adware or may not work correctly with the latest versions WhatsApp.

    5. Method 4: Transfer via SD card (for phones with support)

    If both of your phones support SD cards, you can use them to transfer the backup. This method is convenient because it does not require a PC and is suitable for devices without access to an data-i="240">Method 2 Google Drive.

    Step by step instructions:

    1. Create a local backup on an old phone (as in Method 2).
    2. Copy the folder WhatsApp to the SD card:
      • Use any file manager (for example, Total Commander or FX File Explorer).
      • Find folder WhatsApp in the root of the internal memory and copy it to SD card.
    3. Move the SD card to the new phone:
      • Insert the card into the new smartphone.
      • Copy folder WhatsApp from SD cards to the internal memory of the new phone.
  • Restore chats:
    • Install WhatsApp on the new phone and register.
    • The application will automatically find a local backup and offer to restore it.

    Important notes:

    • 📌 The folder WhatsApp must be located in the root of the internal memory, not on SD card. Otherwise, the recovery will not work.
    • 🔄 If there was already a folder on SD card on WhatsApp, delete it before copying to avoid conflicts.
    • 🚫 Do not rename backup files - WhatsApp they will not be recognized.
    💡

    The SD card must be formatted in FAT32 or exFAT. If the card is in format NTFS, some phones will not see the files.

    6. Method 5: Transfer via email (for individual chats)

    If you need to save only several important dialogsand not the entire history, you can export them via email. This method is not suitable for mass transfer, but is convenient for archiving key conversations.

    How to export a chat:

    1. Open the desired chat in WhatsApp.
    2. Click ⋮ (menu) → Export chat.
    3. Select whether to include media files (without them, export will be faster).
    4. Specify the email to send (for example, your mail Gmail).
    5. Open the letter on the new phone and save the attached file (usually this .txt or .zip).

    Method limitations:

    • 📧 Only exported correspondence text (media is attached separately, but is not restored to WhatsApp).
    • 📄 The chat file opens as a text document, and not as a dialogue in the messenger.
    • 🔢 You can export only one chat at a time.
    ⚠️ Attention: If the chat contains confidential information, do not send it to work email or cloud services. Use ProtonMail or encrypted archives.

    7. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

    Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems. Here top 5 errors and ways to solve them:

    1. "The backup could not be restored"

    • 🔹 Reason: Different accounts Google on devices or a backup older than 1 year.
    • 🔹 Solution: Login to the same account and check the date of the last backup in Google Drive.

    2. The backup weighs 0 bytes or is not created

    • 🔹 Reason: Not enough space on the phone or in Google Drive.
    • 🔹 Solution: Clear the memory or buy additional space in the cloud (from 100 GB for ~100 rubles/month).

    3. WhatsApp does not see the local backup

    • 🔹 Reason: The backup file is damaged or located in the wrong folder.
    • 🔹 Solution: Check that the file is called msgstore.db.crypt14 and is in /WhatsApp/Databases/.

    4. Media files were not restored

    • 🔹 Reason: Media saving is disabled in the backup settings.
    • 🔹 Solution: Before creating a backup, go to Settings → Chat → Backup → Enable video.

    5. Error "Cannot connect to Google Drive"

    • 🔹 Reason: There are no services Google (relevant for Huawei without GMS).
    • 🔹 Solution: Use a local backup or third-party app.

    If none of the methods worked, check:

    • 📋 Version WhatsApp on both phones (update to the latest one in Google Play).
    • 🛠️ Availability root access (they can block access to the folder Databases).
    • 🔒 Antivirus or firewall that blocks access to files.
    Is it possible to transfer WhatsApp chats from Android to iPhone?

    Officially - no. WhatsApp does not support cross-platform transfer between Android and iOS. However, you can use third-party apps like MobileTrans or Backuptrans, but they require a PC and do not always work stably. There is also a risk of data loss when converting formats.

    How long does it take to transfer chats?

    Time depends on the method and volume of data:

    • Google Drive: 10-50 minutes (1-10 GB).
    • Local backup: 5-20 minutes (speed limited by USB cable).
    • Third-party apps: 30-60 minutes (due to additional processing).

    If the backup weighs more than 15 GB, the process can take several hours.

    Why do some messages disappear after the transfer?

    This happens for several reasons:

    • A backup was created not completely (for example, it was interrupted due to low battery).
    • You restored old copy (check the date backup to an old copy of media files (for example, compressed a video). data-i="365">not enough space Google Drive).
    • WhatsApp optimized media files (for example, compressed video).
    • On a new phone there wasn't enough space for complete recovery.

    To avoid losses, always check the backup size before restoring.

    Is it possible to transfer chats without a SIM card?

    Yes, but with reservations:

    • For creating a backup a SIM card is not needed - it is enough that the phone is connected to Wi-Fi.
    • For recovery on a new phone you will need activate the same number (you can use a virtual SIM or temporarily insert a physical card).

    If you do not have access to a SIM card, contact your operator to temporarily restore your number.

    How to transfer only media files (photos, videos) without messages?

    Media files from WhatsApp are stored in a folder /WhatsApp/Media/. You can:

    1. Connect your old phone to your PC and copy the folder Media to the new phone.
    2. Use a file manager (for example, Solid Explorer) to transfer files over Wi-Fi (via FTP or the cloud).
    3. Manually send yourself files via another messenger (for example, Telegram without size restrictions).

    Please note: the files are in the folder Media not encrypted, unlike chat backups.