Changing a smartphone is always stressful, especially when it comes to the safety of important correspondence in WhatsApp. Losing your communication history, photos, and voice messages can be an unpleasant surprise after activating a new device. Fortunately, the ecosystem Android offers several reliable ways to preserve your digital memory.
In this article, we'll take a closer look at how to transfer an archive WhatsApp from one phone to another, using both Google's built-in features and local backup methods. You will learn about the nuances of working with the database msgstore.db and understand why sometimes the standard recovery procedure fails.
Before you begin the transfer, make sure that the current version of the messenger from Google Playis installed on both devices. Differences in software versions can lead to incompatibility of backup formats, which will make the recovery process impossible or partial.
Preparing the old device for data transfer
The success of the operation depends 90% on the quality of the backup created. Before you turn off your old phone or reset its settings, you need to forcefully update the archive. Go to the application settings through the menu Settings → Chats → Chat backup.
Pay attention to the “Backup to Google Drive” item. For correct transfer between different accounts or when changing devices, this setting must be configured correctly. If you plan to use the cloud method, make sure that the correct Google account is selected. disk space (min. 2 GB) Google account.
☑️ Check before transfer
It is important to check the amount of free memory. The archive of correspondence can take up gigabytes, especially if you often exchange videos. Insufficient space will result in the creation of a “broken” copy that cannot be deployed on a new smartphone.
⚠️ Attention: If you use a password to encrypt your backup, write it down in a safe place. Without this code, it will be impossible to restore data on a new device, even if the file exists.
Method 1: Restore via Google Drive
This is the simplest and most automated method recommended by the developers. It requires a stable internet connection and sufficient space in your cloud storage. The process begins on the old device by creating a fresh copy.
After the download process to Google Drive is completed, take a new smartphone. Log in to the same one Google accountthat was used for the backup. This is a critical step: the messenger looks for backups only in the linked account.
Install WhatsApp from the application store and run it. When you check your phone number, the system will automatically detect an available cloud backup. You will be prompted to click the button Restore.
Do not skip the recovery step when setting up for the first time. If you click "Skip", the application will not offer to download the archive later, and you will have to delete WhatsApp and install it again.
Wait for the process to complete. First, the text history will be restored, and then media files will begin loading in the background. During this time, you can use your phone, but new messages may arrive with a delay.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and operating algorithms of Google Drive may change. Always check the available space in the cloud in your account settings before starting a large-scale backup.
Method 2: Local transfer without the Internet
What to do if there is no access to fast Wi-Fi or the volume of the archive is too large for the cloud? In this case, local copying comes to the rescue. WhatsApp creates hidden copies daily in the phone's memory, which can be transferred manually.
Backup files are stored along the path Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases (on new versions of Android) or in the root of the folder WhatsApp/Databases (on older versions). You need a file with the name of the view msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt14.
Copy this file to your computer or directly to a new smartphone via cable, Bluetooth or fast file sharing. On the new device, place the file in exactly the same directory, creating a folder structure if it does not exist.
| Copy type | Location (Android 11+) | Location (Android 10 and below) | Encryption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local daily | /Android/media/com.whatsapp/... | /WhatsApp/Databases/ | crypt12/crypt14/crypt15 |
| Google Drive | Cloud storage | Cloud storage | Linked to account |
| Manual local | Device memory/SD card | Device memory/SD card | crypt12/crypt14/crypt15 |
Before installing the application on a new phone, make sure that the file is renamed to msgstore.db.cryptXX (where XX is your encryption version), removing the date from the name. It is the file without a date in the name that the application considers the main one for recovery.
Nuances of encryption versions
The encryption version (crypt12, crypt14, crypt15) depends on the WhatsApp version. If you transfer a file from an old phone to a new one with a different version of the application, the recovery may not work. In this case, update WhatsApp on both devices to the latest version before copying the file.
Data transfer via cable (Quick Switch)
Modern smartphones from Samsung, Xiaomi and other manufacturers have built-in utilities for data migration. For example, Samsung Smart Switch or MI Mover allow you to transfer WhatsApp directly via USB-C cable.
This method is good because it transfers not only the database, but also application settings, as well as media files in original quality. Connect both phones with a cable (often an OTG adapter is needed) and follow the instructions on the screen.
During the process of setting up a new phone, the system itself will offer to transfer data from the old one. Select the “Applications” category and make sure the checkbox opposite WhatsApp is active. The algorithm will independently create a temporary copy and deploy it on a new device.
Using a cable is the fastest way to transfer heavy archives (more than 10 GB), since the transfer speed is limited only by the capabilities of the ports, and not by the Internet speed.
After the transfer is complete, launch the messenger on the new phone. It should automatically pick up the transferred data. If this does not happen, check whether the connection was interrupted during the process.
⚠️ Attention: When using third-party transfer utilities, folder access rights are sometimes lost. If WhatsApp does not see chats, try clearing the application cache in the Android settings.
Solving common problems
Sometimes the recovery process gets stuck at 99% or gives the error “The backup is corrupted.” Most often this is due to a mismatch of encryption versions or a violation of the integrity of the file when copying.
Check the hash of the file or simply try copying it again using a different transfer method (for example, via a PC instead of Bluetooth). Also make sure that your phone is not in power saving mode, which may block background data recording.
If you have changed your phone number, the procedure becomes more complicated. You need to first restore a copy to the old number, and then use the Settings → Account → Change numberfunction inside the application. Only after this the data will be linked to the new SIM card.
- 📂 “File not found” error: check that the file is in the correct folder
Databasesand has the correct name. - 🔐 Encryption error: make sure you are using the same Google account or know the password for the local copy.
- 💾 Lack of space: free up at least 2 times more space than the backup file weighs for the unpacking process.
In rare cases, clearing the data of the application itself before repeating attempt at recovery. Go to Phone settings → Applications → WhatsApp → Storage → Clear dataand then restart the installation.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I transfer chats from Android to iPhone?
Yes, but only using the official “Transfer to iOS” function when initially setting up your iPhone or via a Lightning/USB-C cable. Simply copying database files won't work due to different file structures.
How long do Google Drive backups last?
Google keeps WhatsApp backups for 1 year if you don't update them. If you don't log into WhatsApp for more than a year, the copy may be deleted. Regular updating extends the life of the archive.
What to do if you forgot the password for the encrypted copy?
Unfortunately, it is impossible to decrypt the database without a password. msgstore.db.cryptXX is impossible. End-to-end encryption technology does not provide access recovery through support. The data will be lost.
Are statuses and privacy settings transferred?
Privacy settings and the list of blocked contacts are transferred along with the database. However, temporary statuses (stories) are not saved in the backup copy and will disappear when you change the device.
Do you need to delete WhatsApp from your old phone?
No, it is not necessary. You can keep the app on your old device, but remember: one WhatsApp account cannot be active on two phones at the same time. When activated on a new device, the session on the old one will be ended.