Changing a smartphone often turns into a real quest, especially when it comes to saving the history of correspondence in instant messengers. Many users are faced with a situation where the usual method of backup via Google Drive is unavailable: you don’t have an account on your old device, you don’t have enough space in the cloud, or you fundamentally don’t trust cloud storage. In such cases, a reasonable question arises: is it possible to transfer data manually, using only the capabilities of the operating system itself and the physical connection?
Fortunately, the architecture Android allows you to manage the file system quite flexibly. Messenger WhatsApp stores the entire history of your dialogues, media files and settings in the form of local databases on the internal storage of the device. These files are encrypted, but the decryption key is stored there, which allows you to restore access to chats on a new device without the participation of third-party servers. However, this process requires care, since the slightest error in the path to the folder or application version can lead to data loss.
In this article we will examine in detail three working methods of data migration: from simply copying files to using advanced command line tools. You will learn how to bypass the security restrictions of new versions of Android and ensure that your correspondence is saved. Do not forget that before starting any manipulations with system files, it is critical to create an additional copy of important data on external media.
Preparing devices and checking application versions
Before you begin physically transferring files, you need to make sure that both smartphones are in a compatible state. The key success factor is the identity of the application versions WhatsApp on the old and new device. If a newer phone has a more recent version of the messenger installed, it may not be able to read the database created by the old version of the app on the predecessor device.
Go into the settings of both phones and check the build number of the application. This can be done by opening WhatsApp → Menu (three dots) → Settings → About the application. The numbers must match or be as close as possible. Ideally, download the installation file APK of the latest version on both devices from the same reliable source to eliminate differences in the database structure.
⚠️ Attention: If you are using different versions WhatsApp (for example, official and modified), data transfer is impossible without completely losing the history. Databases have different encryption keys and storage formats.
Also make sure that software debugging is enabled on both devices if you plan to use advanced methods, or prepare a cable USBif you plan to use advanced methods, or prepare a cable USB-C (or adapter OTG) for direct connection of phones. The battery charge should be at least 50%, as the process of copying large volumes of media files can be energy-intensive.
☑️ Ready for transfer
Method 1: Direct transfer during initial phone setup
The simplest and most reliable method, which does not require root access or connection to a computer, is available to users of Android 12 and above. Google has introduced a feature to directly copy data when you first activate your device. This method uses a data transfer protocol that copies not only contacts and photos, but also application data, including local databases WhatsApp.
To implement this method, the new phone must be reset to factory settings. During the initial setup process, when the system prompts you to select a data source, select "Cable". Connect both smartphones with a cable USB-C to USB-C. The old phone will ask for permission to access data - confirm it. The system will automatically detect the installed messenger and offer to transfer its data.
This method is good because it automatically handles complex paths to files that have changed in new versions of Android. You don't have to manually search for folders or change permissions. However, if you have already set up a new phone and signed in to your Google account, this method will not work for you - you will have to do a hard reset Settings → System → Reset options → Erase all data.
If you do not have a USB-C to USB-C cable, use an OTG adapter. Connect the cable from the old phone to the adapter, and the adapter to the new phone.
After completing the data copying and logging in, install WhatsApp on the new phone (if it was not installed automatically). When you first launch the messenger, it will detect a local backup transferred by the system and offer to restore chats. Click the button Restoreand all your dialogs will appear in the list.
Method 2: Manually copying files through the file manager
If automatic transfer is not possible, you will have to act manually. This method requires an understanding of the file system structure Android. Starting with Android 11, access to the folder Android/data for third-party file managers is limited by security policies Scoped Storage. Therefore, for correct copying, you will need either a standard file manager with extended rights, or a connection to a PC.
On your old phone, find the folder with the messenger data. The path may differ depending on the OS version. For Android 10 and below it is /sdcard/WhatsApp. For Android 11 and higher, the path has changed to /sdcard/Android/media/com.whatsapp or /sdcard/Android/data/com.whatsapp. Inside you will find a folder Databaseswhere files are stored msgstore.db.crypt14 (or another encryption version number), and a folder Media with pictures and videos.
Copy the entire folder WhatsApp or com.whatsapp entirely to a computer or directly to a new phone if they are connected by cable. On the new device, place the copied files in exactly the same path as on the old device to installation and launch of the application. If the folder does not exist, create it manually, respecting the case of letters.
| Android version | Path to database | Path to media files | Access features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android 9 and below | /WhatsApp/Databases |
/WhatsApp/Media |
Free access |
| Android 10 | /WhatsApp/Databases |
/WhatsApp/Media |
Limited access |
| Android 11+ | /Android/media/com.whatsapp |
/Android/media/com.whatsapp |
Specialist required. access |
| Android 13+ | /Android/media/com.whatsapp |
/Android/media/com.whatsapp |
Strong permissions |
An important nuance: the database file must be named exactly msgstore.db.cryptXX, where XX is the current encryption version. Do not rename files with dates (for example, msgstore-2023-10-01.1.db.crypt14) if you want to restore the most recent backup. The system will automatically pick up a file with the name msgstore without a date in the name.
What to do if the file manager does not see the Android folder?
In Android 11+, standard explorers hide the contents of the Android folder. Use the "Files by Google" application or connect your phone to your PC in MTP mode to access these directories.
Method 3: Using ADB for advanced users
For those who are not afraid of the command line and want to guarantee data transfer, bypassing interface restrictions, the tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge)is ideal. This method allows you to make a complete backup of the application with data, which can then be deployed on a new device. You will need a computer with ADB drivers installed and USB debugging enabled on both smartphones.
Connect your old phone to your PC and run the command to create a backup. Please note that on some devices (for example, Xiaomi or Huawei), the full backup function via ADB may be blocked by the manufacturer. If the command is successful, you will receive a file backup.abcontaining the entire application along with the database.
adb backup -f whatsapp_backup.ab -noapk com.whatsappAfter creating the file, disconnect the old phone and connect the new one. Make sure that WhatsApp (same version) is already installed on the new device. Run the restore command. The system will ask for confirmation on the phone screen - click "Recover data".
adb restore whatsapp_backup.ab⚠️ Attention: The command
adb backupdoes not work on devices with Android 14 and higher for most applications due to increased security policies. For such devices, use only methods with a file manager or cable transfer when setting up.
This method is the most “clean” from a technical point of view, since it transfers not only files, but also system application settings, cache and access rights. However, it requires a PC and basic terminal skills. An error in the command syntax may result in the backup not being created or restored incorrectly.
Solving problems with recovery and encryption
Even if the instructions are followed exactly, users sometimes encounter the problem WhatsApp does not see the backup copy or gives an error when restoring. Most often, the problem lies in a mismatch in encryption keys or file name. Make sure that you copy the file with the extension .crypt14, .crypt15 etc., corresponding to your version of the application.
If the messenger writes “Backup not found,” check the access rights to the folder. On new Androids, the application must have permission to access files and media. Go to Settings → Applications → WhatsApp → Permissions and make sure that access to the storage is allowed. Sometimes deleting and reinstalling the application after the files have already been copied to the desired directory helps.
Another common mistake is trying to restore data from Google Drive after manual copying. If the system finds a cloud copy, it will offer to restore it, ignoring the local file. To force the application to use local backup, you need to turn off the Internet (Wi-Fi and mobile network) at the time of first launch and setup WhatsApp. This will prevent the cloud from checking and force the application to scan the internal memory.
The main rule for successful recovery: a local copy must be placed in a folder BEFORE the first launch of the application on a new phone, and it is better to turn off the Internet at this moment.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to transfer chats if your old phone had a custom WhatsApp (GBWhatsApp)?
No, you cannot directly transfer data from the modified version to the official one due to different encryption keys. You will need to first export chats inside the modified version into a format readable by the official application, or use special database conversion scripts, which is a complex procedure and does not guarantee the safety of media files.
What to do if after the transfer all pictures and videos are missing?
Most likely, you copied only the folder Databases, forgetting about the folder Media. The correspondence history will be restored, but instead of images there will be empty stubs. You need to copy the folder again WhatsApp/Media (or Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Media) from the old device to the new one, maintaining the folder structure.
Will correspondence on the old phone be erased after the transfer?
No, the process of copying files or creating a backup copy does not delete data from the source. Your correspondence will remain unchanged on your old device. Deletion will only happen if you decide to reset your old phone or delete the application.
Is it possible to transfer data from Android to iPhone in this way?
No, the described methods only work in an Android-to-Android connection. The file systems and encryption algorithms for iOS and Android are fundamentally different. To switch to an iPhone, you must use the official "Move to iOS" application during the initial setup of the iPhone; other methods will not work.