Changing a smartphone is always an exciting process, associated with the risk of losing important data. The problem of preserving the history of correspondence in instant messengers, which have become an integral part of our lives, is becoming especially acute. WhatsApp occupies a leading position in popularity, and saving all dialogues, media files and settings when moving to a new device is a priority for most users.
Fortunately, the ecosystem Android offers several reliable ways to migrate data. You can use Google's cloud technology, create a local backup on internal storage, or even use a physical connection between devices. The choice of a specific method depends on your preferences, Internet speed and version of the operating system on both phones.
In this article we will analyze in detail each of the available options, discuss the nuances of encryption and answer common questions that arise during the transfer. Follow the instructions carefully to ensure the integrity of your digital history.
Preparing your old device for migration
Before you begin any manipulations, it is critical to make sure that your current smartphone is completely ready for creating a backup. The process will not take much time, but requires the fulfillment of several prerequisites. Without proper preparation, you risk getting an empty chat on your new phone.
First of all, check whether your account is linked to a phone number and email. This is necessary to restore access in case of any failures. Also make sure that the current one is installed on the device, since it will be responsible for storing data in the cloud in the standard scenario. Google Account, since it is he who will be responsible for storing data in the cloud in a standard scenario.
Pay attention to the free space. The backup copy can take up a significant amount of space, especially if you actively share photos and videos. Free up space or clear the application cache so that the backup process goes without errors.
- 📱 Make sure that both smartphones are charged at least 50% or connected to the network.
- 📶 Connect your old phone to a stable Wi-Fi network for fast data downloads.
- 🔒 Check if Is two-factor authentication enabled in WhatsApp security settings?
- 💾 Make sure there is enough free space on Google Drive to accommodate the copy.
☑️ Preparing for transfer
⚠️ Attention: If you are using custom firmware or a modified version of Android, standard backup methods via Google Drive may not work correctly. In such cases, it is recommended to use local saving.
Method 1: Transfer via Google Drive (Cloud method)
This is the most popular and convenient method that suits the vast majority of users. It does not require a cable or a computer, since all data is transmitted via the Internet directly to servers Google. The main advantage here is the automation of the process and the ability to restore chats at any time.
First, open the WhatsApp application on your old phone. Go to the settings menu by clicking on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings. Next, find the section Chat and go to the subsection Chat backup. This is where all the tools for managing data saving are located.
In the menu that opens you will see a button Backup. Click on it to force saving of the current correspondence history. The system will automatically download all messages and media files to your Google Drive. The process time depends on the amount of data and connection speed.
It is important to configure the frequency of automatic backup creation. This will protect you from data loss in the future. You can choose daily, weekly or monthly updates. Also pay attention to the point Video files: if you enable their download, the size of the backup copy will increase significantly.
If you have limited mobile data, be sure to select the "Only via Wi-Fi" option in the backup settings to avoid unnecessary costs.
Method 2: Local backup (Without Internet)
Sometimes using the cloud is impossible due to lack of Internet or lack of disk space. In such cases, local backup comes to the rescue. WhatsApp automatically creates local copies of the database every 24 hours, saving them in the internal memory of the device or on a memory card microSD.
Backup files are usually located in the /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases or /Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases directory (on new versions of Android). The file name has the format msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt14, where the numbers indicate the creation date, and the extension indicates the encryption version.
To transfer these files to a new phone, you will need a file manager. Copy the required database file (usually the most recent file msgstore.db.cryptXX) from the old device. Then connect your new phone to your computer or use a memory card to transfer the file to a similar directory on your new device.
After installing WhatsApp on a new phone, but before logging into your account, the system will detect a local copy and offer to restore data from it. If you have already installed the application and signed in to your account, you will have to delete it, move the database file and install it again.
| Option | Google Drive | Local copy | Cable (Android 12+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet required | Yes | No | No |
| Transfer speed | Depends on network speed | High (local) | Very high |
| Complexity | Low | Medium | Low |
| Risk of data loss | Minimum | Average (human factor) | Minimum |
What is crypt14?
This file extension indicates the version of the WhatsApp database encryption algorithm. Each new version of the application can use a new algorithm (crypt12, crypt14, crypt15, etc.). Files with different extensions may not be compatible with older versions of the application, so always use the current version of WhatsApp when restoring.
Direct transfer via cable (Android 12 and later)
Starting with version Android 12, Google has introduced a native data transfer feature during initial setup devices. This method allows you to transfer WhatsApp chats directly from your old phone to your new phone using a USB-C to USB-C cable. This is the fastest and most reliable method today.
Turn on your new smartphone and begin the setup process. When the system prompts you to transfer data from your old device, select the cable option. Connect both phones with a wire. The system will automatically detect the connection and prompt you to select data for migration.
In the list of applications, be sure to select WhatsApp. The setup wizard will ask for permission to scan the QR code on your old device. Open the camera on your old phone or the WhatsApp application, scan the code, and the copying process will begin automatically.
This method is good because it transfers not only text, but also all media files, settings and even statuses if they are saved. You don't have to worry about encryption versions or manually copying files. Everything happens in the background of the system.
Using a cable during the initial setup of Android 12+ is the “gold standard” of migration, eliminating errors associated with cloud services or manual file management.
⚠️ Attention: The cable migration function is only available during the initial setup of a new device. If you have already set up a new phone and are using it, you will have to perform a factory reset (
Settings → System → Reset) to use this method.
Data recovery on a new device
After you have completed a backup using any of the selected methods, the recovery stage begins. Install the application WhatsApp from the official Google Play store on your new smartphone. Launch it and enter the same phone number that was used on the old device.
The system will send an SMS with a confirmation code. Enter it in the appropriate field. Immediately after verifying the number, the application will begin searching for available backups. If you used Google Drive, it will offer to restore data from the cloud. If a local file or cable was used, recovery will begin automatically.
Press the button Restore. Do not press under any circumstances Skip, otherwise you will lose the ability to restore chats in this application installation session. The process may take from a few minutes to an hour depending on the amount of data.
Once the process is complete, your chats will appear in the list. Media files (photos, videos) can be loaded gradually in the background. Make sure that all important dialogs are in place before deleting data from your old phone.
Possible problems and solutions
Despite the thoughtfulness of the system, users sometimes encounter difficulties. One of the common problems is mismatched phone numbers. Remember that the backup copy is linked strictly to the phone number and Google account. If you have changed your number, first restore your chats to the old number and then change it inside the WhatsApp settings.
Another common error is the “Backup not found” message. This often happens if you are logged into the wrong Google account. Check in your phone settings which account is currently active. Also make sure that the copying actually completed successfully on the old phone.
If the recovery gets stuck at a certain percentage, check the free space on the new device. To unpack archived data, an amount of memory is required that is approximately 1.5-2 times larger than the size of the copy itself. Clear the space and try again.
- 🔄 Try clearing the Google Play Services app cache if sync errors occur.
- 📂 Check the app's storage permissions in Android settings.
- 🔋 Make sure the phone screen does not go dark during the process (increase the timeout screen).
⚠️ Attention: Settings interfaces and menu item names may vary slightly depending on the model of your smartphone (Samsung, Xiaomi, Pixel) and the version of the manufacturer's shell. If you don't find the item you need, use the search inside the settings menu.
What to do if you forgot your Google Account password?
Without access to your Google account, it is impossible to restore a cloud copy. You will have to use a local file transfer method or create a new backup on your old phone by logging into a new account if the situation with your phone number allows it.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will my statuses and privacy settings be transferred?
Yes, when using the cable method (Android 12+) or restoring from a full Google Drive backup, most privacy settings are transferred. However, statuses (stories) that have already disappeared after 24 hours cannot be restored. Statuses saved in the gallery will be transferred as regular photos.
Is it possible to transfer chats if I change my phone number?
Yes, but the procedure is a little more complicated. First, restore chats to your new phone using your old number. After successful recovery, go to Settings → Account → Change number and follow the instructions. This will transfer the entire history to the new number.
Will the backup take up space in my Google Drive plan?
Whatsapp backups created after November 2023 (depending on region and Google policy updates), may be taking up space in your Google Drive quota. Previously they were not taken into account. Check the current conditions in the Google Drive application.
What to do if the application says “Not enough space” when restoring?
You need to free up space on the internal storage of your new smartphone. Delete unnecessary applications, photos or transfer them to a memory card. Restoring requires free space that exceeds the size of the backup file.
Is it possible to restore chats from iPhone to Android using these methods?
No, the methods described in the article only work for the Android-Android pair. To transfer from iOS to Android, you need a special cable (Lightning to USB-C) and the use of the data transfer function during the initial setup of Android 12+, or third-party paid utilities.