Changing a smartphone is always stressful, associated not so much with the loss of the device, but with the risk of losing accumulated data. For most Android smartphone users, a critical element of their digital life is the messenger WhatsApp, where the history of business correspondence, family photos and important documents are stored. The process of switching to a new device often raises concerns: will the dialogue history be preserved, will media files be lost, and how quickly can you restore access to your account on the new gadget.
Fortunately, modern versions of the operating system Android and the application itself offer several reliable mechanisms for data migration. You can use cloud storage WhatsApp offer several reliable data migration mechanisms. You can use cloud storage Google Drive for automatic backup, or create a local copy of the database and transfer it manually. The choice of a specific method depends on the OS version on the old and new devices, the availability of free space in the cloud and the user’s desire to control the transfer process.
In this guide, we will analyze in detail all the current methods for transferring correspondence, paying special attention to technical nuances and possible errors. We'll look at both standard procedures and advanced methods for cases where automatic recovery doesn't work. Understanding these processes will help you avoid information loss and save time when setting up a new smartphone.
Preparing your old device for data migration
Before proceeding with the actual transfer, you need to make sure that the source device is completely ready to create a backup copy. The first step is to verify the account Googlethat will be used to store data. It is important that on the old phone you are logged in to the account that you plan to access from the new device, otherwise the backup copy may end up in an “inaccessible” cloud.
Next, you should make sure that the application WhatsApp is updated to the latest available version through the store. Developers regularly make changes to encryption algorithms and the structure of backup files, so using an outdated version of the software may lead to errors when creating a backup or the inability to decrypt it on a new smartphone. Check for updates in the My Apps & Games section. Google Play. Developers regularly make changes to encryption algorithms and the structure of backup files, so using an outdated version of the software may lead to errors when creating a backup or the inability to decrypt it on a new smartphone. Check the My Apps & Games section for updates.
⚠️ Note: Make sure you have two-factor authentication enabled in your WhatsApp settings on your old phone. When transferring to a new device, the system may request a verification code, and lack of access to the SIM card or recovery codes will block login to your account.
It is also critical to check the status of the latest backup. To do this, open the messenger settings, go to the “Chat” section and select “Chat backup”. Here you will see the date and time of the last successful save. If the last copy was created a long time ago, click the "Backup" button and wait for the process to complete, making sure that the phone is connected to a stable network Wi-Fi.
Backup method via Google Drive
The simplest and recommended method for most users is to use a cloud service Google Drive. This method does not require connecting cables or using a computer, as the entire process happens in the background via the Internet. The main advantage is that the copy is linked to your Google account, which allows you to restore data even if your old phone is physically lost or broken.
To set up automatic backup, go to the settings menu WhatsApp, select “Chats” and click “Chat backup”. In the Google Drive Settings section, select the backup frequency: daily, weekly or monthly. You also need to select the Google account that will be used to store data and the type of network for downloading (it is recommended to select “Wi-Fi only” so as not to waste mobile traffic).
In addition to message history, you can include or exclude video recordings in the backup. Video files take up a significant amount of memory, so excluding them from the backup can significantly speed up the process and save space in the cloud, although photos and documents will still be saved. After configuring the settings, click the “Backup” button to force the creation of an up-to-date restore point.
- 📱 Google account: Make sure the correct account is added to the device and it is active.
- 📶 Network Wi-Fi: To download large amounts of data, be sure to connect to a wireless network.
- 🔋 Battery life: The copying process can take a long time, so connect your phone to a charger.
If you're running out of space in Google Drive, clear old unnecessary backups through the drive.google.com interface or in your phone's storage settings to free up space for WhatsApp.
Local transfer method without using the cloud
For users who prefer not to store their data in the cloud or do not have access to fast Internet, there is a local transfer method. WhatsApp automatically creates local database backups every night at 2:00 and stores them in the device memory for the last 7 days. These files have the extension .db or .crypt and are located in a protected folder on the system.
To use this method, you will need access to the file system of the old phone, for example, through the built-in file manager or by connecting the device to the computer in file transfer mode (MTP). You need to find the folder where the backups are stored. In modern versions of Android, the path often looks like Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases or WhatsApp/Databases at the root of the internal memory.
Copy the file named msgstore.db.cryptXX (where XX is the encryption version number) to your computer or directly to a new device. When installing WhatsApp on a new phone, before the first launch, place this file in a similar directory on the new device. When you first launch, the messenger will detect a local copy and offer to restore the correspondence history from it, skipping the Google Drive check step.
| Parameter | Google Drive | Local copy | Transfer via cable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | Depends on the Internet | High (local) | Very high |
| Required space | Cloud storage | Phone memory | Memory of both phones |
| Complexity | Low | Medium | Low (automatic) |
| Security | High (encryption) | Depends on access to files | High (direct connection) |
What to do if the backup file is not found?
If you cannot find the msgstore.db.crypt file, check hidden folders or search for the .crypt extension. Also make sure that the display of hidden system files in Explorer is enabled on your phone.
Using the “Data Transfer” function during initial setup
Modern smartphones based on Android 12 and newer are equipped with a built-in data migration function that allows you to transfer chats WhatsApp directly during the initial setup of a new device. This method is the most preferred because it is integrated at the system level and allows you to transfer not only message history, but also media files and settings without the need to manually copy files.
When you turn on a new smartphone for the first time, follow the on-screen instructions until the system prompts you to copy applications and data from another device. You will be asked to connect your old phone to the new one using a cable USB-C (an adapter is often required if the connectors are different) or select a wireless connection. In the list of transferred data, be sure to check the item WhatsApp.
The system will create a special backup copy on the old device, transfer it via cable and automatically install it on the new one. After completing the basic setup and logging into your Google account, the first time you launch WhatsApp on a new phone, the application will automatically recognize the transferred data and offer to activate it. This process takes less time and requires minimal user intervention.
☑️ Checklist for cable transfer
⚠️ Attention: The cable transfer function only works during the initial Android setup. If you have already set up and are using a new phone, this method will not be available and you will have to use a factory reset or cloud methods.
Restoring correspondence on a new device
After you have performed a backup using any of the selected methods, the stage of restoring data on a new smartphone begins. Install the application WhatsApp from the official store Google Play, but do not open it yet. Make sure that your new device is signed in to the same Google account that was used to create the backup.
Launch the messenger and enter the phone number that was used on the old device. The number must be identical, including the country code. After successfully verifying the number via SMS or voice call, the system will automatically detect an available backup copy in Google Drive or local storage. A request “Backup found” will appear on the screen, and you need to click the “Restore” button.
The restoration process can take from several minutes to several hours depending on the size of the archive and the speed of the Internet connection. During this time, do not close the application or turn off the phone screen. After downloading of the message history is completed, background downloading of media files (photos, videos, voice messages) will begin, which will appear in chats as they are downloaded.
- 📲 Phone number: Must strictly correspond to the number from which the copy was created.
- 🔒 Encryption: If the backup is protected by a password, you will need to enter it manually.
- 📂 Folder structure: With the local method, the path to the files must be observed exactly.
The key point of successful recovery is the coincidence of the phone number and Google account, as well as the presence of a stable Internet connection at the time activation.
Solving common problems and errors
Despite the streamlined processes, users may encounter various errors when transferring data. One of the most common problems is the "Backup not found" message, which usually indicates that you are logging into the wrong Google account or using a different phone number. Check your account settings in the “Users and Accounts” section of Android system settings.
Another common situation is that the recovery process freezes at a certain percentage or takes an unreasonably long time. This may be due to an unstable Wi-Fi connection or lack of free memory on your new device. Free up a few gigabytes of space and try rebooting the router or switching to another network.
If you changed the operating system (for example, switched from iOS to Android), standard methods via Google Drive will not work, since the database structures are different. In this case, you need to use the special application “Transfer to Android” (Move to Android) during the initial setup of the new device, connecting both phones with a cable.
What to do if you have forgotten the backup encryption password?
If you set an encryption password for backups in WhatsApp and forgot it, restore the correspondence history from this copy will not be possible. WhatsApp does not store encryption keys and cannot help you recover them. The only way out is to create a new backup without a password on your old device (if it is still available) or start using the messenger with a clean history.
Is it possible to transfer chats if your phone number has changed?
Yes, this is possible, but it requires an additional procedure. On your old device, in the WhatsApp settings, you need to select “Account” → “Change number” and follow the instructions. This will transfer the chat history to the new number, after which you can create a backup copy and restore it on a new device under the new number.
How much space does a WhatsApp backup take up?
The size of the backup copy directly depends on the number of accumulated media files. Text messages take up negligible space (kilobytes), while photos and videos can swell the archive to several gigabytes. The exact size is always displayed in the “Backup chats” menu before the download begins.