Moving to a new smartphone is always an exciting process, which is often overshadowed by the fear of losing important data. This is especially true for messengers, where correspondence over years of communication is stored. For users Android the chat migration procedure has become much easier thanks to integration with Google Drive, however, there are nuances that many people forget about. If you simply insert a SIM card into a new phone and install an app, your messages won't magically appear on their own—they need to be saved first.
There are several proven ways to perform the transfer: through cloud storage, using a local backup file, or using the direct data transfer feature when you initially set up your phone. The choice of method depends on the version of the operating system, the availability of a stable Internet and personal preferences for data security. In this article, we will analyze each of these scenarios in detail so that you can choose the best option for your situation.
It is worth noting that the data recovery process requires care at the stage of logging into your account. An error in this step may result in the backup not being found by the system. Therefore, before starting any actions, make sure that you remember the password for your Google accountto which the old phone is linked.
Preparing the old device for transfer
Before you begin the data export procedure, you need to make sure that all prerequisites are met on your old smartphone. The first step is to check the phone number binding. Go to the messenger settings and make sure that the correct country code and your current number are displayed in the number field. This is critically important, since user ID the system is tied to this particular number.
Next, you should check the status of the cloud storage. WhatsApp uses Google Drive to create backups, and if the disk space runs out, the backup process will be interrupted. Free up space or buy additional gigabytes if the indicator shows more than 90% full.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that the Google account you plan to use on the new device is added to your old phone. Transferring a backup between different Google accounts is not possible using standard means.
It is also recommended to connect the device to a Wi-Fi network. Creating a complete copy of chats, especially if they contain a lot of videos and photos, can require significant traffic. Using a mobile network is not only slow, but can also lead to additional costs for your operator.
☑️ Preparing for transfer
Creating a backup copy in Google Drive
This is the most reliable and recommended by developers way to save correspondence history. It allows you to store data in the cloud and restore it on any device where you log in with your login. To start the process, open the application and go to the settings menu.
Find the section Chats → Chat backup. Here you will see information about the last copy created: date and size. If the latest copy is old, press the button Backup manually. The system will begin uploading media files and text to Google servers.
In the same menu you can configure the frequency of automatic backup creation. Options available: daily, weekly or monthly. For active correspondence, the optimal choice would be daily backup, which minimizes the risk of data loss if the phone suddenly breaks down.
| Settings parameter | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency | How often a copy is created | Daily |
| Account | Google account for storage | Main account |
| Network | Connection conditions | Wi-Fi only |
| Video | Whether to include video in backup | Enabled (if there is space) |
Note the option to include video in the backup. Video files take up a huge amount of memory. If your Google Drive quota is limited to the standard 15 GB, it may be worth disabling this option so that the text history and photos are guaranteed to be preserved.
If the copy creation process freezes at 99%, try clearing the Google Play Services application cache in the phone settings and restarting the device.
Restoring data on a new smartphone
After the backup has been successfully created on the old device, you can begin setting up the new phone. The recovery process starts automatically when you first install the application, but only if certain conditions are met. Install WhatsApp from the official store Google Play.
When you first launch the application, you will be asked to confirm your phone number. Enter the same number that was used on your old device. The system will send an SMS with a confirmation code. After entering the code, the search for backups will begin.
If you are logged into the same Google account, the system will detect the backup file on Google Drive. You will be prompted to restore your chat history. You must press the button Restore. If you click Skip, the recovery process will be canceled, and it will be extremely difficult to return the data later without reinstalling the application.
⚠️ Attention: The recovery process may take a long time depending on the size of the archive and Internet speed. Do not close the application or lock the screen until the download is complete.
After the download is complete, media files (photos, videos, voice messages) will be downloaded as needed when opening the corresponding chats. The text history itself will appear immediately after the main stage of recovery.
The key condition for successful recovery is that the phone number and Google account on the new device match those used to create the copy.
Local transfer without using the cloud
Not all users trust cloud storage or have enough space on Google Drive. In this case, you can use the local file transfer method. This method requires physical access to the file system of both devices or using a computer as an intermediary.
Local backup files are stored in the phone's memory in a special directory. The path to them may differ depending on the Android version. On modern versions (Android 11 and higher) the path looks like Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases, on older versions - WhatsApp/Databases.
You need to find a file with a name like msgstore.db.crypt14 (the number may differ depending on the encryption version). This is your database. Copy this file to your computer or directly to a new phone, keeping its name unchanged.
Nuances of encryption versions
The number in the file name (for example, crypt12, crypt14, crypt15) indicates the version of the encryption algorithm. If you transfer it to a phone with a newer version of WhatsApp, the old file may not be readable. In this case, it is better to use the cloud method, which automatically converts the format.
On the new phone, install the application, but do not launch it. First, copy the downloaded database file to the appropriate folder on the new device, creating a directory structure manually if it doesn't already exist. Only after this, start installation and recovery.
Using the Android quick setup function
Modern smartphones based on Android 12 and above offer a built-in data transfer function during the initial setup of the device. This method is the most convenient, as it does not require manually copying files or setting up the cloud.
When you turn on a new phone, the system will offer to copy data from the old device. You can connect the phones with a USB-C to USB-C cable or use a wireless connection. In the list of transferred data, be sure to select the WhatsApp application.
The system will automatically transfer not only the application itself, but also all its data, including media files and settings. After completing the transfer and logging in to the new phone, when you launch WhatsApp for the first time, you will be prompted to restore data from the local copy, which will already be in memory.
- 📱 Connect both phones with a cable or select wireless transfer.
- 🔐 Unlock the old phone to confirm the transfer.
- ✅ Wait until data migration is complete before you start using the new device.
This method is preferable because it transfers data in its “raw” form, bypassing the process of compression and decompression typical for cloud backups. The transfer speed via cable is usually much higher than downloading via the Internet.
Solving common problems and errors
Despite the streamlined processes, users often encounter errors during migration. One of the most common problems is the message "Backup not found." This almost always means that you are logged into a different Google account on the new phone than the one you used on the old one.
Another common situation is that the recovery process gets stuck. This may be due to an unstable Internet connection or lack of free memory on the internal storage of the new smartphone. Before starting the procedure, make sure that you have a reserve of free space that is at least twice the size of the backup copy.
Sometimes users try to restore a copy created on iOS to Android or vice versa. There is no direct compatibility between these platforms due to different database formats and encryption. Such cross-platform transfer requires special paid utilities or resetting the new phone to factory settings to use the official migration tool during the first setup.
⚠️ Attention: Menu interfaces and item names may vary slightly depending on the smartphone model (Samsung, Xiaomi, Pixel) and the manufacturer's shell version. If you don't find the item you need, use the settings search.
If none of the methods help, try deleting the application from the new phone, restarting the device and starting the installation process again, carefully following each step of account confirmation.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to transfer WhatsApp to a phone with a different number?
Yes, but to do this you must first change the number in the application settings on your old phone (Settings → Account → Change number). After that, create a backup copy for a new number and restore it on a new device.
What to do if you forgot your Google account password?
Without access to your Google account, it is impossible to restore data from a cloud copy. You will have to use the method of transferring files locally via a computer or cable if you have physical access to the old phone.
Will my chats with my interlocutors disappear after the transfer?
No, transferring history only affects your device. Your interlocutors have all their correspondence saved on their own phones, regardless of your actions.
How long does it take to restore a large archive?
The time depends on the Internet speed and the size of the database. An archive of 5-10 GB can be restored from 30 minutes to several hours. Media files may take longer to load in the background after the main recovery.
Is it possible to recover deleted messages from an old copy?
Yes, if you have a local copy from a previous date (msgstore-DATE.db.cryptXX files), you can rename the desired file to msgstore.db.cryptXX and restore it instead of the current version.