Changing a smartphone is always stressful, especially when it comes to saving chat history. You can buy a new flagship, but without access to old dialogues, photos and important work chats, it seems empty. Fortunately, the ecosystem Android offers several reliable methods for migrating data from WhatsApp Messenger. Not all of them are equally convenient, and the choice depends on whether you have access to the cloud or you prefer local storage.
In this article we will analyze all the current migration methods: from standard backup to manual transfer of folders through a file manager. It is important to understand that the process of restoring chats is irreversible: when restoring from a backup, the current messages on the new device will be replaced. Therefore Google Drive before manually transferring folders through a file manager. It is important to understand that the process of restoring chats is irreversible: when restoring from a backup, the current messages on the new device will be replaced. That's why Preparing for the transfer requires full synchronization of data on the old phone before starting the migration. Ignoring this rule often leads to the loss of messages for the last few hours.
Preparing the old smartphone for migration
Before starting the transfer process itself, you need to make sure that everything is configured correctly on the old device. Often, users encounter a restore error simply because the backup was not created on time or is linked to another account. Go to the messenger settings and check the status of the latest backup.
Make sure you are using the same phone number and account Google on both devices. This is a critical condition for the cloud method to work. If you plan to change your number, first change the number inside the application on your old phone to link the history to the new contact.
- 📱 Check that there is enough free space on the disk of your old phone to create a temporary archive.
- ☁️ Make sure that there is free space in your Google Drive account (backups can take up several gigabyte).
- 🔋 Connect the device to the charger or make sure the battery level is above 50%.
⚠️ Attention: If you used the password encryption feature for backups, be sure to write down this code. Without it, it will be impossible to restore data on a new device, and WhatsApp support will not be able to help you reset your password.
☑️ Ready for transfer
Method 1: Classic transfer via Google Drive
This is the most popular and convenient method for most users. It does not require connecting cables and allows you to restore data even if the old phone is already sold or broken, provided that a copy was uploaded to the cloud in advance.
First, open the settings menu in the application. Follow the path Settings → Chats → Chat backup. Here you will see the date and time of the last save. If you are not satisfied with it, click the button Backup to force the creation of a fresh version of the archive.
Pay attention to the item Google Account. Make sure that you select the exact email address that you will be able to access on your new smartphone. Also check the backup frequency setting: for important data it is better to set the value Daily.
If the backup freezes at 99%, try switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data (or vice versa) and then starting the process again. Often the problem lies in an unstable connection to Google servers.
After the process is successfully completed on the old device, install WhatsApp on the new phone. When you first launch the application, it will automatically detect the presence of a backup in the cloud and offer to restore it. Agree with the offer and wait until the download completes.
| Parameter | Description | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Storage type | Cloud (Google Drive) | Google account, Internet |
| Speed | Depends on Internet speed | Stable Wi-Fi is desirable |
| Risks | Minimal | You need to remember your Google password |
| Media files | They are completely saved | Requires space in the cloud |
Method 2: Local transfer without the Internet
What to do if you do not have access to fast Internet or the traffic limit does not allow you to upload several gigabytes of data to the cloud? In this case, the local method helps. WhatsApp automatically creates local copies of the database every night at 2 am, storing them in the internal memory of the device.
You will need a file manager (for example Files by Google or built-in explorer). Find your backup folder. In modern versions of Android, the path looks like Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases. On older versions of the system, the folder may be located in the root of the internal storage: WhatsApp/Databases.
Copy the file with the name msgstore.db.crypt14 (the number at the end of the extension may be different, for example, crypt12 or crypt15) to your computer or directly to a new smartphone. If you are using a PC as an intermediary, connect both phones with cables.
Nuances of encryption versions
The number in the file extension (for example, crypt14) indicates the version of the encryption protocol. It depends on the version of WhatsApp installed. When transferring to a new phone, make sure that the same or newer version of the application is installed there, otherwise the file may not be read.
On the new device, install WhatsApp, but do not run it. First, copy the saved database file to the appropriate folder on the new phone, creating a directory structure manually if you don't already have one. Only after this, launch the application and select recovery from a local copy.
⚠️ Attention: When manually copying files, make sure that you do not rename the database file. It must remain in the original format, otherwise the messenger will not be able to recognize it upon initialization.
Method 3: Transfer using a cable (Android 12 and newer)
Starting with the operating system version Android 12, Google has introduced native support for direct data transfer between devices during the initial setup. This applies not only to system settings, but also to application data, including WhatsApp.
When you turn on your new smartphone, follow the instructions in the setup wizard. When the system prompts you to copy data from your old device, select the cable connection option. You will need a cable USB-C to USB-C or an adapter.
After physically connecting the phones, select applications to transfer. Make sure the checkbox opposite WhatsApp is checked. The system will create a temporary encrypted tunnel and transmit all data directly, bypassing cloud services. This is the fastest way for large amounts of information.
However, this method has a limitation: it only works when setting up a new phone for the first time. If you have already set up a new device and logged in, this method will not be available without completely resetting the device to factory settings.
Solving problems with restoring chats
Sometimes the process does not go according to plan. You may encounter a situation where the application sees the backup but refuses to restore it, or the process hangs at the "Prepare" stage. Most often, the problem lies in a mismatch of software versions or an account conflict.
Try updating the WhatsApp application on both devices to the latest available version from Google Play Store. Developers often release patches to correct migration errors. Also check to see if your new phone has two-factor authentication enabled, which may have been enabled after the backup was created.
- 🔄 Clear the WhatsApp cache on your new device before attempting to restore again.
- 📶 Make sure your new phone has enough free space (at least 2 times the backup size).
- 🔐 Check whether the phone number to which the application is registered matches the number used when creating the backup.
⚠️ Attention: Menu interfaces and item names may differ slightly depending on the smartphone model (Samsung, Xiaomi, Pixel) and the manufacturer's shell version. If you do not find the item you need, use the search inside your phone settings.
If the recovery freezes for more than 2 hours, most likely the file is damaged or the connection is interrupted. It is better to interrupt the process, delete the application and start the installation again, checking the integrity of the backup file.
Frequent questions and answers (FAQ)
Can I transfer chats if I change my phone number?
Yes, this is possible, but the procedure must be performed in a certain order. First, on your old device, use the “Change number” function in your WhatsApp account settings. This will transfer your history and groups to the new number. After that, create a backup copy and restore it on the new device under a new number.
What to do if the backup copy in Google Drive is not visible?
Make sure that you are signed in to the same Google account that was used on the old phone. Also check if the WhatsApp folder is hidden in your Google Drive access settings for third-party apps. Sometimes deleting the old copy and creating a new one helps.
Are privacy settings and the blacklist transferred?
When restoring from a full backup, almost all data is transferred: chats, media files, notification settings and the list of blocked contacts. However, the settings of the Android system itself (for example, wallpaper or icon layout) are transferred separately through the system migration tool.
How to transfer data if the old phone is broken and will not turn on?
If the phone does not turn on, you can restore data only if you have previously configured automatic uploading of copies to Google Drive. Local files in the memory of a faulty device cannot be saved without repairing the phone or replacing the board.
Does a backup copy take up space in the Google One tariff?
Whatsapp backups created before November 2018 were not counted in the Google Drive quota. However, all new copies take up space in your storage. If you're running out of space, consider purchasing a Google One subscription or disabling video downloads in your backup settings.