Changing a smartphone is always an exciting process, but it is often overshadowed by the fear of losing important data. Of particular concern to users is the preservation of the history of correspondence in instant messengers, where not just text is stored, but memories, work agreements and media files. If you are moving from one device based Android to another, the procedure for restoring data to WhatsApp requires a careful approach, since automatic synchronization does not always work instantly.
There are several proven methods for migrating data: cloud via Google Drive, local via a file manager and direct transfer using initial system setup. The choice of method depends on the version of the operating system, the availability of free space in the cloud and the model of your new gadget. In this article, we'll look at each option in detail so you can choose the one that's best for your situation.
Preparing for data migration
Before you begin the migration process, it is critical to make sure that both devices are ready for the operation. On your old phone, you need to check whether your number is linked to your account and whether the backup function is activated. Without this step, all subsequent actions may be useless, since chat history simply will not be saved in the required format.
Make sure that the same account is installed on both devices Google. This is a fundamental requirement for cloud backup to work. Also check the availability of free space on Google Drive, as old backups can take up a significant amount of memory, preventing the creation of a new one.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any manipulations, make sure that the battery level on both devices is at least 60%. A sudden power outage while creating or restoring an archive may result in database corruption.
It is also recommended to update the application WhatsApp to the latest available version in the store Google Play. Developers are constantly making changes to encryption algorithms and the structure of backup files, so using outdated software may cause compatibility errors when restoring to a new device.
☑️ Ready for migration
Method 1: Backup via Google Drive
This is the most universal method recommended by developers, which is suitable for most users. It allows you to save not only text messages, but also media files, if the corresponding option is enabled in the settings. The process of creating a copy takes time, depending on the amount of accumulated data and the speed of the Internet connection.
To start the procedure, open the settings menu inside the application, go to the section Chats → Chat backup. Here you will see a "Backup" button, clicking on which initiates uploading data to the cloud. It is important to choose the correct frequency and network type for downloading so as not to waste mobile traffic.
- 📱 Make sure that your correct account is selected in the backup settings Google.
- ☁️ Check if the "Add video" option is enabled if it is important to you save video recordings from correspondence.
- 🔐 Use a reliable Wi-Fi connection to speed up the process of downloading large amounts of data.
After completing the copy on the old device, install WhatsApp on the new phone. When you launch it for the first time, the application will automatically detect the presence of a backup copy on the linked Google Drive and offer to restore the data. Refusing this offer at the setup stage will make it extremely difficult to restore chats later without completely resetting the application.
If you have several Google accounts on your phone, make sure that the backup is created to the one that will be the main one on the new device.
Method 2: Local copy via file manager
Sometimes the cloud method is not available due to lack of space or network problems. In such cases, local copying comes to the rescue, which involves manually moving database files. This method is more labor-intensive, but gives full control over the process and does not depend on Internet speed.
Backup files in modern versions Android are located along the path Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases. On older versions of the system, the path may be different: WhatsApp/Databases at the root of the internal memory. You need to copy the file with the type name msgstore.db.crypt14 (the number may differ depending on the encryption version) to your computer or directly to a new smartphone.
| File type | Location (Android 11+) | Location (Android 10 and below) | Importance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main base | Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases | WhatsApp/Databases | Critical |
| Media files | Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Media | WhatsApp/Media | High |
| Settings | Android/data/com.whatsapp/files | WhatsApp/Files | Medium |
After transferring a file to a new device, it is important to place it in exactly the same directory before installing or launching the application for the first time. If WhatsApp has already been installed and running, it is better to delete it, move the files and install again so that the app correctly picks up the local database instead of trying to search in the cloud.
⚠️ Attention: The interface of file managers and the folder structure may differ slightly depending on the manufacturer’s shell (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS). If you do not find the folder in the specified path, use the file search
msgstore.
What to do if the files are not visible?
In Android 11 and higher, access to the Android folder is limited. Use the official file manager "Files by Google" or grant extended access rights to your current file explorer through the system settings.
Features of transferring to new smartphones
Smartphone manufacturers often implement their own data migration utilities that can simplify the process. For example, when setting up new devices from Samsung, Xiaomi or Realme the system may offer to transfer data from the old phone via cable or Wi-Fi Direct. These tools often integrate the recovery process WhatsApp into the overall setup flow.
When using proprietary utilities such as Smart Switch or Mi Mover, chat history can be transferred along with other applications. However, it is worth remembering that this method only works correctly when initially setting up the phone out of the box. If the device has already been set up, using system transfer tools may require resetting the new phone to factory settings.
The issue of operating system version compatibility also plays a role. When migrating from a very old version of Android to the latest, conflicts in database encryption formats may occur. In such cases, the local file transfer method msgstore often turns out to be more reliable than the cloud or system one.
Restoring correspondence on a new device
The most critical stage is the recovery process. After installation WhatsApp on a new phone and entering the phone number (it must match the one on which the copy was made), the verification process will begin.System automatically detect available backups.
If you used the cloud method, you will see a message about found copy on Google Drive indicating the date and size. Click the "Restore" button. Don't skip this step! If you click "Skip", the application will create an empty database, and subsequent recovery will require deleting the application and reinstalling it.
- ⏳ The recovery process may take from several minutes to an hour depending on the size of the archive.
- 📶 Do not turn off Wi-Fi or minimize the application during data loading time.
- ✅ Once completed, check for all chats and media files before deleting data from the old phone.
With the local method, the application will ignore the cloud and offer to restore data from the internal memory. Make sure the backup file name is correct (usually msgstore.db.cryptXX). If there are several files, the system will prompt you to select the most recent one, but sometimes you need to rename the desired file, removing the date from the name, so that it becomes the main one.
Never click “Skip” when asked to restore a backup copy if you do not yet see your chats. It is impossible to return to this step without reinstalling the application.
Solving common problems and errors
Even if you follow all the instructions, users may encounter difficulties. One of the most common problems is a phone number mismatch. The backup copy is strictly tied to a specific number, and it is impossible to restore chats to another number without using special functions for changing the number inside the application.
The “Not enough space” error also often occurs. Even if you have several gigabytes free on your phone, the process of unpacking the archive requires additional temporary space. It is recommended to free up space that is at least twice the size of the backup copy.
⚠️ Attention: Settings interfaces and menu item names may change with application updates. If you do not find the described items, check the official help materials in the "Help" section inside the application itself.
If the recovery freezes at a certain percentage, try restarting the phone and starting the process again. In rare cases, clearing the application cache helps Google Play Services, since it is this service that is responsible for interaction with cloud storage.
Why are media files not restored?
Often media files are not restored if in the backup settings on the old phone there was a checkbox "Only via Wi-Fi", and creation copies were interrupted. Check the presence of the Media folder when transferring locally.
Can I transfer chats if I changed my phone number?
Yes, but this must be done BEFORE changing the device. In the settings of your old phone, go to Account → Change number. This will transfer the chat history to a new number within the WhatsApp ecosystem, after which you can make a backup copy to the new number and restore it on another device.
What to do if Google Drive does not see the backup?
Make sure that the same account is entered on the new phone Google, as on the old one. Also check if you are running out of disk space. Sometimes it helps to delete the old backup through the Google Drive interface and create a new, fresh copy before transferring.
Will my privacy settings and blacklist be transferred?
Yes, when restoring a full backup, almost all account settings are transferred, including privacy settings, avatar and the list of blocked contacts. The exception is some system notification settings, which depend on the new phone model.
Is it safe to transfer database files through a computer?
Yes, it is safe because the database files (msgstore.db.cryptXX) are encrypted. Without the encryption key, which is stored inside the application on the phone, it is impossible to read the contents of these files on the computer. They serve only for recovery within the messenger itself.