Replacing a smartphone is often a cause for concern due to the loss of the device itself, but because of the risk of losing digital traces accumulated over the years. Whatsapp messenger has become for many the main communication channel where work correspondence, family archives and important documents are stored. The process of migrating data to a new platform may seem complicated, but modern Android tools greatly simplify this task.
There are several proven ways to save your entire correspondence history when migrating to Android 13 or a newer version. You can use Google Drive cloud storage for automatic synchronization or create a local backup if the amount of data is large and the Internet speed is limited. The choice of method depends on your preferences and the availability of free space in the cloud.
In this guide, we will analyze in detail each stage of preparation and direct transfer to eliminate any loss of information. A local copy of the database is saved in the phone’s memory for 7 days, after which it is automatically deleted by the system. This is a critical nuance that is forgotten by many users who plan to change the device at the last moment.
Preparing the old device for data migration
Before starting any manipulations, you need to make sure that your current smartphone is completely ready to create a backup copy. The first step is to check the application version, since older builds may not support the latest encryption protocols or archiving formats. Open Google Play Store, find WhatsApp and click the "Update" button, if available.
Next, you should check the linked Google account. It is to this that the cloud copy will be linked, and access to it should be unhindered. Go to your phone settings, section “Accounts”, and make sure that synchronization is enabled and works correctly without authorization errors.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that encryption is enabled on your device. On modern smartphones it is active by default, but on older models (Android 6.0 and below) it must be activated manually in the security section, otherwise the backup may not start.
It is also worth freeing up space if the memory is full, since the archive creation process requires a temporary buffer. Even if you plan to use the cloud, the system needs space to pack files before sending.
☑️ Old phone ready
Creating a backup copy in Google Drive
The most convenient and reliable method of transfer is using the Google Drive cloud service. This method allows you to restore data on any new device immediately after entering the phone number, without requiring physically connecting cables or transferring files manually.
To start the process, open WhatsApp on your old phone, go to the menu (three dots in the corner) and select Settings → Chats → Chat backup. Here you will see information about the latest copy and a Backup button. Click it and wait for the process to complete, which may take from a few minutes to an hour depending on the size of the media files.
It is important to pay attention to the frequency and network type settings. If you have tariffed traffic, it is better to wait until you connect to Wi-Fiso as not to waste mobile data. In the backup settings, you can also exclude videos from the archive if you urgently need to save only text and photos, drastically reducing the file size.
- 📱 Select the Google account to which the copy will be linked.
- 📶 Specify the type of network for copying (Wi-Fi only or mobile network).
- 🎥 Decide whether to include the video in the archive (this increases the size significantly).
- 🔒 Make sure end-to-end encryption is enabled for increased data security.
If the backup process is stuck at 99%, try clearing the Google Play Services app cache in your phone settings, then restart your device and try again.
Local backup without cloud
Not all users trust cloud storage or have enough free space on Google Drive. In such cases, local backup comes to the rescue, saving the database directly to the device’s internal memory or SD card.
Local backup files are created automatically every night at 2:00 and are stored for the last seven days. The path to them usually looks like /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases or /Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases on new versions of Android. You can copy the file with the name msgstore.db.crypt14 (the number may vary) to your computer or directly transfer it to a new phone.
To restore from a local copy, you will need a file manager with access to system folders. After installing WhatsApp on a new device, but before logging into your account, you need to place the backup file in the appropriate directory. The system will detect a local file upon startup and offer to restore data from it, ignoring the cloud version.
| Option | Google Drive (Cloud) | Local copy | Transfer via cable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | Depends on the Internet | Instant (when transferring a file) | High |
| Required space | Google account quota | Phone memory | Memory of the new phone |
| Difficulty | Minimum | Medium (file manager needed) | Minimum |
| Security | High (encryption) | Depends on the phone’s protection | High |
Where can I find encryption files?
Local copy files have the extension .crypt14, .crypt15, etc. The number indicates the version of the encryption algorithm. Do not try to rename the file manually - the application itself will determine the current version when restoring.
Using a cable for direct transfer
The fastest and most modern method, which appeared in Android 12 and higher, allows you to transfer chat history directly from an old phone to a new one during the initial system setup. To do this, you will need a USB-C to USB-C cable or adapter.
When you turn on your new smartphone and begin the setup process, the system will offer to copy data from the old device. Connect both phones with a cable. In the list of transferred data, be sure to select WhatsApp. The system will create a QR code on the new device, which will need to be scanned with the camera of the old phone through the menu Settings → Chats → Transfer chats.
This method is good because it transfers not only messages, but also statuses, privacy settings and even some multimedia files that might not have been included in the last cloud copy. The process takes place locally, without using Internet traffic, which guarantees high speed and security.
⚠️ Attention: When transferring via cable, the screens of both phones must be turned on at all times. If screens go dark or devices turn off, the process may be interrupted and you will have to start over.
Data recovery on a new device
After the backup has been created, the recovery stage begins on the new gadget. Install WhatsApp from the official store Google Playbut do not open it yet if you use the local file method. If you used cloud or cable, just launch the app.
Enter the phone number you used on your old device. It is important to use the same number, otherwise it will be impossible to restore the archive due to the binding of the encryption keys. After verifying the number via SMS code, the system will automatically detect the backup copy in Google Drive or local storage.
When the “Restore” prompt appears, click the confirm button. The process of downloading and decrypting messages will begin. During this time, it is better not to switch to other applications and keep the screen active. Once complete, you will see a list of chats and media will begin to download as needed or in the background.
- 🔢 Use the same phone number as on your old device.
- 📱 Sign in to the same Google account where the backup is stored.
- 🔑 When prompted password for encryption, enter the one that was set earlier (if any).
- ⏳ Wait until the process is completely completed before actively using the messenger.
The key point of success is an exact match between the phone number and the Google account. Without this link, restoring an encrypted archive is technically impossible.
Solving common problems and errors
Even if you follow the instructions, technical difficulties may arise. Users often encounter a situation where WhatsApp writes “Backup not found,” although the file is present in Google Drive. This may be due to the fact that several Google accounts are authorized on the phone, and the application “sees” the wrong one where the archive is located.
Another common problem is lack of space on the new device. If the backup size is 10 GB and only 5 GB is free, the restore will fail. Clear the system application cache or delete unnecessary files in advance to ensure extra space.
If the process freezes at the “Checking backup” stage, try rebooting the router or switching to the mobile data, as the problem may be an unstable connection to Google servers. It’s also worth checking if your phone is in data saving mode, which can block background downloading of large files.
What to do if you forgot your two-factor authentication password?
If you enabled two-step verification and forgot your PIN, you won’t be able to recover your chats right away. You will have to wait 7 days until the system allows you to reset the protection without a code. During this period, you will be able to use the messenger, but your chat history will not load. This is a security measure and cannot be circumvented.
Is it possible to transfer chats from iPhone to Android?
Yes, but only using a cable and the data transfer function when initially setting up a new Android smartphone (available on Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus and others with Android 12+). Transferring from iOS to Android via Google Drive is not possible due to differences in the structure of file systems and encryption.
Will my groups be saved after the transfer?
Yes, all the groups you are a member of will be saved along with the correspondence history. You don't need to re-join them or ask administrators to add you back. However, notification settings for each group may be reset to standard values.
How to transfer WhatsApp to a phone with a different operating system?
Officially, direct transfer is only possible in combinations iPhone → Android (via cable during setup) and Android → iPhone (via the Move to iOS application). The transition between different Android brands (for example, Samsung to Xiaomi) occurs normally via Google Drive or a local file without data loss.
Will my WhatsApp payments disappear during the transfer?
Whatsapp Pay settings may require you to re-link your bank card on the new device for security reasons. The history of transactions in chats will be saved as regular messages, but the payment functionality will need to be activated again through the service settings.