Changing a smartphone is always stressful, associated not so much with the device itself, but with the risk of losing important information. For millions of Android users, transferring correspondence history from WhatsAppbecomes a critical moment. Unlike ordinary contacts or photos, the messenger stores its data in encrypted form, and simply copying files through a computer is not enough.
The process of restoring correspondence depends on the version of the operating system, the type of storage used and whether you change the phone number along with the device. Modern versions Android have significantly simplified this task thanks to integration with Google Drive, however, old methods with local copies are still relevant for specific scenarios, for example, in the absence of the Internet or changing an account.
In this article we will analyze in detail all existing methods of data migration. You'll learn how to set up automatic backups, how to manually transfer a database through a file manager, and what to do if standard methods fail. The main rule before starting any action is to make sure that both devices have enough battery power and a stable connection to the network.
Preparing the old device for transfer
The success of the operation depends 90% on how correctly you prepare the old smartphone. Before you begin the transfer, you need to make sure that the latest copy of your chats is actually created and stored in a safe place. Most users rely on cloud services, but it is important to check the settings manually.
Go to the messenger settings and find the section responsible for chats. Here you will see information about the last backup: date, time and file size. If the date is old, click the button Backup and wait for the process to complete. This action will create a fresh snapshot of all your conversations and media files.
Pay attention to the storage type. By default WhatsApp uses Google Drive, but also creates a local copy in the phone's internal memory. For reliability, it is recommended to have both versions. A local copy will come in handy if you have problems accessing the cloud or syncing your Google account on your new device.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that on your old phone, Google Drive settings allow the use of mobile data for backup if you are not connected to Wi-Fi. Otherwise, the process may hang while waiting for the wireless network.
It is also critical to check which Google account is being saved under. Often, users have multiple mailboxes on the same device, and the backup copy may have been saved on a different one than the one you plan to access on the new phone. Remember the exact email address.
☑️ Preparing to transfer data
Method 1: Restore via Google Drive
This is the simplest method recommended by developers for most users. It does not require connecting your phone to your computer or knowing complex file paths. The whole process occurs automatically when you first install the application on a new gadget.
On the new smartphone, log in to the same account Googlethat was used on the old device to create a backup. This is a prerequisite: without matching accounts, the system will not see the saved copy of the chats. After logging into your account, download and install WhatsApp from the official store Play Market.
When you first launch the application, you will be asked to confirm your phone number. Enter the same number to which the account was previously registered. After successful verification with the SMS code, the system will detect an available backup copy on the disk. You will be asked to restore your data - agree to this action.
- 📲 Make sure that the new phone is set to the same phone number as the old one.
- ☁️ Check if there is enough free space on Google Drive to deploy the archive.
- 🔋 Do not interrupt the recovery process, even if it seems stuck at the "Downloading media" stage.
- 📶 Use a stable Wi-Fi connection, as the amount of data can reach several gigabytes.
The recovery process can take from several minutes to an hour depending on the Internet speed and the volume of correspondence history. Text messages will be restored first, and then photos, videos, and voice messages will begin downloading in the background. You can use the messenger right away, but some media files can be loaded as needed.
If the recovery is stuck at 99%, do not restart the phone right away. Give it 10-15 minutes, often the system simply processes large video files in the background.
Method 2: Local transfer without the Internet
Sometimes using cloud services is impossible due to traffic limits or lack of a stable connection. In such cases, the local data transfer method comes to the rescue. It requires physical access to the file system of both devices and the use of a computer or OTG cable.
The essence of the method is to manually copy the database folder from the old phone to the new one. In modern versions Android the path to these files has changed due to system security policies. Now the database is located along the path Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases, whereas on older versions it was just a folder WhatsApp/Databases in the root of the memory.
You need to copy a file with the name type msgstore.db.crypt14 (the number may differ depending on the encryption version) from the old folder to a similar directory on the new device. It is important to do this before installation or first launch WhatsApp on a new phone, otherwise the application will create an empty database and ignore your copy.
⚠️ Attention: If you are using Android 11 or later, direct access to the folder
Android/dataorAndroid/mediamay be limited standard conductor. Use a file manager with extended rights or connect your phone to your PC in file transfer mode (MTP).
After copying the file, install the messenger, go through the number verification and select recovery from a local copy when the application prompts you to do so. The system will automatically find the moved file in the desired directory and expand it.
| Parameter | Google Drive | Local copy | Third-party software |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet required | Required | No | Often yes |
| Difficulty | Low | Medium | High |
| Risk of data loss | Minimal | Medium (path error) | High |
| Speed | Depends on the network | High (USB) | Medium |
Data transfer when changing phone number
The situation becomes more complicated if you not only change the device, but also get a new SIM card with a different number. Simply installing the application on a new number will create a clean profile, and the old correspondence will remain linked to the old number on the old device (or in the cloud).
For correct transfer, you must first use the number change function inside the application on old phone. This procedure transfers account information, groups, and settings to the new number while preserving all message history. Only after this can you make a backup copy and restore it on the new device
Go to Settings → Account → Change number. Enter your old and new phone numbers. You will receive an SMS confirmation code for your new SIM card. After confirmation, all your contacts who have the old number recorded will automatically receive a notification about the change if you select the appropriate option.
What happens to groups when you change a number?
You remain in all groups, but your ID in them is updated. Participants will see a system message indicating that you have changed your number unless you disable this option in the group notification settings.
After successfully changing your number on your old device, create a fresh backup copy to Google Drive. Then install WhatsApp on a new phone, entering the new number. When restoring from a copy, the system will understand that the data belongs to this number and will correctly expand the archive.
Solving common problems and errors
Even if you follow all the instructions, users sometimes encounter errors. The most common problem is the message “Backup not found,” even though you are sure you created one. This is almost always due to desync of Google accounts.
Check in your phone settings which Google account is active by default. It often happens that on your old phone the backup went to your personal email, but on the new phone you logged into your work email. Also make sure that the version WhatsApp on the new device is not older than the one on the old one. Old versions of the application cannot read databases created by new versions.
If the recovery freezes at the "Restore chat history" stage, try clearing the cache of the Google Play Services application and the messenger itself. Sometimes it helps to temporarily disable your antivirus or firewall, which can block access to database files during decryption.
⚠️ Warning: Never try to rename backup files manually if you are not sure of the encryption extension (crypt12, crypt14, etc.). A mismatch in the encryption version will make the file unreadable forever.
In cases where all else fails, you can use the official email chat export tool. This will not restore correspondence within the application, but will save the text history as a file .txt, which is better than complete loss of information.
Features of transfer between different brands
Moving from one Android brand to another (for example, from Samsung to Xiaomi or Huawei) usually proceeds seamlessly thanks to the versatility of the Android platform and the use of Google services. However, manufacturers often add their own cloud storage, which can conflict with standard procedures.
Some brands, such as Samsunghave their own migration tools (Smart Switch) that can transfer application data directly over the cable. However, for WhatsApp Even in this case, it is recommended to use the standard Google Drive mechanism, since third-party utilities sometimes transfer only the application itself without decrypting the database.
If you are moving from a device where Google services are disabled by default (some models Huawei), the situation becomes more complicated. You will have to manually copy the database folder via your computer, since creating a cloud backup to Google Drive on an old device will be impossible without installing Google services (GMS).
The versatility of Android allows you to transfer data between any brands, but using standard Google Drive is always more reliable than proprietary migration utilities for instant messengers.
Frequently asked questions questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to transfer WhatsApp to a new phone without changing the SIM card?
Yes, this is a standard procedure. You simply remove the SIM card from your old phone (or use the same card in a new device) and go through SMS verification on the new device. The main thing is to restore data from a backup during the setup process.
What happens if I install WhatsApp on a new phone before transferring files?
The application will create a new, empty database. If you later try to restore data from a local copy, make sure that the copy file is newer than the created empty database. It's best to uninstall the app, transfer the files, and then install it again.
Are my privacy settings and profile picture transferred?
Yes, when restoring from a full Google Drive backup or local backup, privacy settings, profile photos, and the list of blocked contacts are also restored. However, notification settings may be reset to standard depending on the version of Android.
How to transfer data if I forgot the Google account to which the backup is linked?
It is impossible to restore data from Google Drive without access to this account due to encryption. In this case, the only option is to use a local copy of the database file, copying it manually through a computer or file manager, as described in the second method.
How much space does a WhatsApp backup take up?
The size depends on the number of media files. Text correspondence over several years can take up only 50-100 MB, but if you actively exchange videos and photos, the backup size can reach 5-10 GB or more. This is important to consider when considering Google Drive storage limits.