Changing a smartphone often turns into a real quest, especially when it comes to preserving communication history. Many users fear that when moving to a new device, all dialogues, important voice messages and sent photos will disappear forever. Fortunately, the messenger developers have provided several reliable methods saving datathat allow you to avoid disaster.
The migration process may seem complicated only at first glance. There are several proven methods, each suitable for different usage scenarios and device memory status. We will analyze the most effective options that allow you to transfer Viber to a new phone as quickly and without errors.
In this article we will take a detailed look at working with Google Drive cloud storage, creating local copies and using specialized utilities for transfer. You will learn how to properly set up backup so that not a single message is lost during the process of changing gadgets.
Preparing for data transfer
Before proceeding with the actual transfer, you need to make sure that both devices - the old and the new - are ready for use. Stable connection connection to a Wi-Fi network is a critical condition, since the volume of transferred data, including media files, can reach several gigabytes. Using mobile data is not recommended due to high traffic consumption and possible connection instability.
It is also worth checking whether there is enough free space on your new smartphone. If the memory is full, the process of installing the application and unpacking the archive with messages may be interrupted. Make sure that the latest available version of the messenger from the official store is installed on both devices Google Play.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that synchronization is enabled on the old phone in the Google account to which Viber is linked. Without this, cloud backup may not work correctly.
It would be a good idea to charge both devices in advance to a level of at least 60-70%. The process of creating a backup and its subsequent restoration can take a significant amount of time, especially if you have accumulated a lot of media files over the years of use.
- 📱 Charge both smartphones to at least 60%
- 📶 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network
- 💾 Free up space on your new one device
- 🔄 Update the Viber application to the latest version
☑️ Ready for migration
Backup method via Google Drive
The most popular and convenient method is to use cloud storage Google Drive. This method allows you to save your chat history, multimedia and settings in the cloud, from where they can be easily downloaded to any device linked to the same account. To get started, open the application on your old phone and go to More → Settings → Account.
Here you need to find the “Backup” item and click on it. The system will prompt you to select a Google account to which the archive will be saved. After selecting an account, click the “Start copying” button. The process time depends on the Internet speed and the amount of data.
What to do if Google Drive is full?
If you run out of space in the cloud, a backup will not be created. In this case, you can temporarily free up space by deleting old unnecessary files from Drive, or use the local copy method described below. You can also purchase additional storage on Google One.
It is important to understand that heavy video files may not be uploaded to the cloud by default unless the appropriate option is enabled. Check your backup settings and make sure that the checkbox next to “Enable video” is active if you need to save video recordings from chats.
- ☁️ Open your account settings in Viber
- 📂 Select “Backup”
- 🔒 Log in to your Google account
- ▶️ Start the process of creating a copy
Setting up local backup
If you don't have access to stable Wi-Fi or just prefer to store data locally, Viber offers the function of creating backups directly to your phone's memory. The files are saved in .vbk format and take up space in the internal memory or SD card. You can find them along the path ViberBackups in the root of the file system.
To activate this mode, go to Settings → Account → Backup and select the option to save to device. Here you can configure the frequency of creating copies: daily, weekly or monthly. Regularly creating local copies is an excellent insurance against cloud services failure.
After the file is created, it must be physically transferred to the new phone. This can be done via Bluetooth, a USB cable, sending by email (if the file is not too large) or through a file manager with support for network transfer. On the new device, this file must be placed in the same directory so that the messenger can detect it during installation.
⚠️ Attention: Local backup files are not encrypted as securely as cloud ones. Do not transmit them through open communication channels and do not store them on public resources without a password.
Remember that when using the local method, you are responsible for the safety of the file. If you lose your phone along with the backup file, it will be impossible to restore the data.
Comparison of methods for saving correspondence
The choice between cloud and local storage depends on your habits and technical capabilities. Cloud technologies offer convenience and automation, while local files give you complete control over your data. Below is a table to help you decide on the appropriate method.
| Characteristics | Google Drive (Cloud) | Local storage | Third-party utilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required Internet | Required (Wi-Fi) | Not required | Often required |
| Depending on location | Google account limits | Memory phone | PC/Phone memory |
| Automation | High | Average | Low |
| Security | High (encryption) | Average (access file) | Depends on software |
As can be seen from the comparison, Google Drive wins in convenience for most users. However, if you have a very large amount of data and little cloud space, a combination of methods may be the best solution. For example, keep important text correspondence in the cloud, and store photo and video archives locally.
The optimal strategy is to use the cloud for texts and important photos, and periodically dump heavy video archives onto a computer or external drive.
Recovery process on a new device
After the backup has been created, you can proceed to new smartphone. Install the Viber app from the app store. When you first start, you will need to enter the phone number that was used on the old device. The number must match, otherwise restoring from the backup will be impossible.
After entering the number and receiving an SMS with a confirmation code, the system will automatically detect the presence of a backup copy in your Google account or in the device memory. You will be prompted to restore your chat history. Click “Restore” and wait for the process to complete.
If automatic recovery does not start, check whether the phone is authorized in the same Google account as when creating the copy. For local files, make sure the file .vbk is in the correct folder before launching the application. After successful restoration, all your groups, contacts and messages will appear in the list.
- 📲 Install Viber on a new phone
- 🔢 Enter the same phone number
- ☁️ Wait for the backup to be searched
- ✅ Confirm the restoration data
⚠️ Attention: Application interfaces and menu item names may vary slightly depending on the version of Android and the manufacturer's shell (Samsung, Xiaomi, Pixel). If you don't find the item you need, use the search inside your phone settings.
Solving transfer problems
Sometimes the process may not go according to plan. One of the common problems is the “Failed to restore” error. This often happens if the versions of the application on the old and new phones are very different. In this case, update Viber on both devices to the latest version and try to repeat the procedure.
Another common scenario is that the restoration is completed, but the media files are missing. This may mean that the option to save photos and videos was not selected in the backup settings. The text of the messages will be restored, but the chat gallery will remain empty. In this case, only manual transfer of the folder will help Viber via a file manager if you have root access or access to system files, but this is a complex and risky method.
Also, users often encounter the fact that new messages that arrived after the last backup were not displayed. Remember that a backup is a snapshot of data at a specific point in time. Everything that was written after the copy was created needs to be synchronized again or put up with loss if the copy is old.
If the recovery freezes at 99%, try switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data for a couple of seconds, and then back. Sometimes this helps to reconnect with the server.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I transfer chats if I change my phone number?
Yes, but the procedure is different. First you need to use the “Change phone number” function in the settings of the old device (Settings → Account → Change number). This will transfer your history to the new number. After that, create a backup copy and restore it on a new phone, logging in with a new number.
How long is a backup stored in Google Drive?
Viber backups in Google Drive do not have strict expiration date as long as your Google account is active. However, if you haven't logged into your account for more than 2 years, Google may delete your data. The copy also takes up space in your storage quota.
Will my stickers and purchased emoji be lost during the transfer?
Purchased sets of stickers and emoji are linked to your Viber account, so they will be restored automatically after authorization. Downloaded free sets should also be pulled up from the server, but sometimes they have to be downloaded again manually.
What to do if there is not enough space for recovery on your new phone?
You need to free up space before starting the process. Remove unnecessary apps, photos or videos. If space is critically low, restore only the text history (disabling media in the recovery settings, if such an option is available in your version), and transfer photos and videos separately via a computer.