Changing a smartphone is always an exciting process, involving the need to transfer not only contacts and photos, but also the history of correspondence. The messenger Viber stores important information: work chats, family conversations and media files, the loss of which can be an unpleasant surprise. Unlike some other applications, saving message history in Viber does not occur completely automatically without prior configuration by the user.
The procedure for migrating data between devices based on the operating system Android has its own characteristics that must be taken into account in advance. The main tool for this task is cloud storage Google Drive, integrated directly into the messenger interface. Proper preparation of the old device ensures that you can restore access to all archives on the new gadget without losing a single message.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions that will allow you to seamlessly continue communication on the new device. We will look at both the standard method via the cloud and the nuances of manual reinsurance, and also answer frequently asked questions that arise when changing a phone.
Preparing an old device for backup
Before you begin the transfer process, it is critical to ensure that your current smartphone has the backup feature enabled. Without this step, all data will remain only in the internal memory of the old device and will be lost when it is reset or sold. You need to go into the settings of the application itself Viber, and not into the phone settings.
Find the section Settings → Account → Viber backup. This is where the key to your chat history is stored. The system will prompt you to select a Google account where the data will be downloaded. Make sure you are signed in to the same one Google accountthat you plan to use on the new phone. This is a fundamental requirement, since files are associated with a specific account.
⚠️ Attention: The backup copy does not include the installation of the application itself or the notification settings. It saves only chat history and media files if you have selected the appropriate option.
After selecting an account, click the button Create a backup copy. The process may take some time depending on the amount of data accumulated and the speed of your Internet connection. During this operation, it is recommended to keep the screen on and not switch to other heavy applications so as not to interrupt the download.
☑️ Ready to transfer
Setting up Google Drive and managing the amount of data
One of the main limitations when transferring data is your quota cloud storage. The free plan Google Drive provides 15 GB of space, which is divided between Mail, Drive and Photos. If your chat history Viber contains thousands of photos and videos, it can take up a significant portion of this volume.
In the backup menu, you can flexibly configure what exactly will be saved. You can exclude videos from the archive to reduce the file size of the copy. This is especially true if cloud disk space is limited. Videos take up the most space, but they can often be restored from your phone gallery if you synced photos separately.
| Data type | Impact on copy size | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Text messages | Minimum | Always include |
| Photos | Medium / High | Enable if space available |
| Video files | Very High | Exclude if there is a space limit |
| Voice messages | Low | Always include |
It is also worth checking the date of the last successful copy. The backup menu displays the time of the last save. If you see a date from a week ago, it means that the automatic backup did not work, and you need to create a new copy manually right before changing the phone.
Before creating a backup copy, clear the Viber application cache in the Android settings to speed up the process and avoid errors in reading temporary files.
The installation and recovery process on a new phone
When you picked up new smartphone based Android, first of all you need to install the application Viber from the official store Google Play. Do not try to transfer the installation file itself (APK) from your old phone, as this may lead to version conflicts and incorrect operation of security functions.
After installation, launch the application. The welcome screen will ask you to enter your phone number. Critical use the same number that was registered on your old device. The history of correspondence is tied specifically to the phone number and Google account, and not to the device serial number.
After entering the number and receiving an SMS confirmation code, the system will automatically detect an available backup copy in your cloud. A window will appear asking you to restore your data. You need to press the button Restore. If you skip this step and click "Skip", you will not be able to restore chats later without re-installing the application.
⚠️ Warning: The restoration process may take from a few minutes to an hour. Do not close the application or lock the phone screen until the loading indicator ends.
During recovery, you may see the message counter increase. This is normal behavior. After completing the procedure, all your groups, contacts and dialogue history will appear in the interface. Media files can be loaded gradually as needed when opening chats.
Solving problems with detecting a backup
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the new phone does not see the backup, despite the fact that it was successfully created on the old device. Most often, the problem lies in accounts being out of sync. Make sure that the same Gmail email address is added in the settings of the new phone in the Accounts section.
Another common reason is the version of the application. If the new phone has an older version Viberinstalled than the one used to create the copy, the recovery algorithm may not work. Go to Google Play and check for updates for the messenger before trying to restore.
It is also worth checking the application's access settings to the storage. In modern versions Android access rights are strictly regulated. Go to Phone settings → Applications → Viber → Permissions and make sure that access to files and media is allowed. Without this right, the application simply will not be able to read data from the cloud or write it to disk.
What to do if the copy is damaged?
If the system reports a file integrity error, try deleting the last copy in Google Drive (via web interface or the Drive application) and create a new one on the old phone, after clearing the Viber cache.
Transferring data without the Internet: local methods
Although the cloud method is the most reliable and recommended by developers, there are situations when use Google Drive is impossible due to the lack of stable Wi-Fi or cloud overcrowding. In such cases, you can use local file transfer, although this method is less convenient and requires having both phones on hand at the same time.
The essence of the method is to manually copy the data folder. On the old phone, use the file manager to find the directory /Viber in the internal storage. Copy the entire folder to your computer or transfer it to a new phone via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct or an OTG cable.
On the new device you need to install Viber, launch it, register, and then replace the empty data folder with the one you copied from the old device. After this, you will need to restart the application. However, this method does not guarantee the transfer of all service files and may result in the loss of some media.
- 📂 Find the
/Android/media/com.viber.voipor root/Viberfolder in the file manager. - 🔌 Use a USB-OTG cable to directly transfer files between phones for maximum speed.
- ⚙️ Make sure that the folder paths on the new phone completely match the structure of the old device.
Remember that local transfer does not update the account link on Viber servers as reliably as the cloud method. If you plan to sell your old phone, it is better to use the official method through the cloud to avoid problems with verification in the future.
Data security and completion of migration
After successfully transferring all data to the new smartphone, do not forget to perform important security steps on the old device. Simply deleting the app is not enough as the data may remain in the phone's memory. It is recommended to perform a full reset (Factory Reset) before selling or transferring the old device to another person.
Also check the active sessions in the security settings Viber. In the Settings → Privacy → Active sessions section you will see a list of all devices where your account is open. Remove your old device from this list to disconnect and ensure that no one will access your chats from your old phone.
⚠️ Attention: The menu interface and item names may vary slightly depending on the version of Android and the manufacturer's shell (Samsung One UI, Xiaomi MIUI, etc.). Always check the current menu on your device.
Now you can fully use the messenger on your new device. All groups, privacy settings and correspondence history must be fully saved. Regularly check the status of the automatic backup in the settings so that in the future changing your phone will be painless for you again.
Successful data transfer depends on three factors: the same phone number, the same Google account and the availability of a fresh backup before changing the device.
Is it possible to transfer Viber to a phone with a different number?
No, the history of correspondence is strictly tied to the phone number. When you register a new number, a new story will begin. It is impossible to restore old correspondence to a new number, since it is encrypted and associated with the old subscriber ID.
What to do if there is not enough space on Google Drive?
You will need to either free up space by deleting old files from Mail or Drive, or temporarily purchase additional Google One storage. Alternatively, you can exclude the video from the backup in Viber settings before creating the archive.
Are stickers and skin settings transferable?
Downloaded stickers and skins are usually synchronized automatically when you log in to your account, as they are tied to the user's profile on Viber servers. However, custom notification settings for individual chats may be reset and require manual configuration.
Do you need to delete Viber from your old phone before setting up a new one?
No, it is not necessary. You can have active sessions on multiple devices at the same time (within security limits). Delete the application from the old phone only after you make sure that everything works correctly on the new one and the history is restored.