Switching to a new smartphone always involves the risk of losing important data - especially when it comes to messengers like Viber, where years of correspondence, work chats and personal ones are stored media files. Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to simply install the application on a new device and log into your account, but in practice this leads to the loss of message historylack of downloaded stickers and even problems with restoring backups.

In this article we will examine all official and alternative methods for transferring Viber between Android devices, including the nuances of working with backups, cloud storage and manual copying of files. We will pay special attention hidden messenger settings that allow you to save not only text messages, but also voice notes, geolocations and sent documents. If you are moving from Samsung to Xiaomi, from Huawei to Google Pixel or between any other Android devices - the instructions below cover all scenarios.

Why the standard Viber transfer does not work

Most users face a problem: after installation Viber on a new phone and authorization via phone number, the chat history is empty. This happens because the default messenger does not synchronize data between devices is in contrast to the same WhatsApp or Telegram. Reasons for this behavior:

  • 📱 Local data storage: by default, all messages, media files and settings are stored in the phone's memory, and not in the cloud.
  • ☁️ Lack of automatic synchronization: Viber does not use Google Drive or iCloud for backup (unlike competitors).
  • 🔄 Binding to a SIM card: the account is tied to a phone number, but the chat history is to a specific device.
  • 🛠️ Android API limitations: from version Android 10 applications are not allowed to freely copy data from other applications without the user's explicit permission.

Even if you have enabled backup in the settings Viber, this does not guarantee complete data transfer. For example, voice messages and stickers are often not saved to a cloud copy, and media files (photos, videos) may take up too much space to automatically download. Therefore, for full transfer a combination of official and manual methods is required.

⚠️ Attention: If you use Viber Out (paid calls to numbers), information about the balance and call history is not transferred — it is tied to the account, not to the device. Check the balance in your personal account on the website Viber before moving.
📊 How often do you make backups of instant messengers?
Never
Once a year
Before changing phone
Regularly, once a month

Official method: backup to Viber

The most reliable transfer method is to use the built-in backup function. However, it has limitations:

  • 📅 The copy is created only manually (there is no automatic schedule).
  • 📎 Only text messages and part of the media are saved (photos/videos up to 100 MB per chat).
  • 🔗 The copy is linked to Google Drive, but not synchronizes with it directly.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Create a backup copy on your old phone:
    • Open Viber → More (⋮) → Settings → Account → Backup copy.
    • Click Create a copy and wait for it to complete (may take up to 10 minutes).
    • Save the copy file to a safe location (for example, on Google Drive or computer).
  2. Transfer the file to the new phone:
    • Download the backup file (has the extension .vcb) to the new device.
    • Place it in a folder /Viber/Backup/ (create it manually if does not exist).
  • Restore data on a new phone:
    • Install Viber from Google Play and log in.
    • When you first start the messenger will offer to restore data - confirm the action.
    ⚠️ Attention: If the new phone already had Viber installed and you logged into your account delete the application before restoring. Otherwise, the backup copy will not be updated.

    ☑️ Preparing to transfer Viber

    Done: 0 / 5

    Alternative method: manually copying Viber files

    If the official backup did not save all the necessary data (for example, stickers or large media files), you can transfer the files Viber manually. This method requires root access or use ADB (for Android 11+), but guarantees full transfer:

    • 📂 Folders for copying: 
      /data/data/com.viber.voip/

      All application data is stored here, including the message database (databases/viber_messages) and media files.

    • 🔧 Tools:
      • Root Explorer (if you have root access).
      • ADB (for devices without root). Command to copy: 
        adb pull /data/data/com.viber.voip C:\Viber_Backup\
      • Titanium Backup (only for root).

    Step-by-step process:

    1. Connect your old phone to PC and copy the folder /data/data/com.viber.voip/ (use ADB or root explorer).
    2. Install Viber on a new device, but do not log in into your account.
    3. Transfer the copied data to the same folder on the new phone (replacing existing ones files).
    4. Run Viber and log in - the chat history should load automatically.
    ⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 12+ even root access may not give full access to the folder /data/data/ due to politics Scoped Storage. In this case, use ADB backup: 
    adb backup -f viber.ab com.viber.voip

    File viber.ab then you can restore it to a new device with the command:

    adb restore viber.ab
    What to do if Viber does not see the backup copy?

    If, after transferring the .vcb file to the /Viber/Backup/ folder, the messenger does not offer to restore the data, check:

    1. Correct file name (must contain phone number, for example: backup_79123456789_20260515.vcb).

    2. The presence of the Backup folder in the root of the Viber folder (not inside subfolders).

    3. Viber version - both devices should have the same version (update if necessary).

    If the problem persists, try renaming the file to backup.vcb and try again.

    Transferring media files (photos, videos, documents)

    Official backup Viber saves only media file preview, and the originals remain in the phone’s memory. To transfer them completely:

    File type Where they are stored How to transfer
    Photos and videos /storage/emulated/0/Viber/Media/ Copy the folder to the new phone to the same location.
    Voice messages /data/data/com.viber.voip/files/viber_audio/ Requires root or ADB (see section above).
    Documents (PDF, DOC) /storage/emulated/0/Viber/Downloads/ Regular copying via Explorer.
    Stickers /data/data/com.viber.voip/files/stickers/ Transferred only from root or via a backup.

    For convenience, use Google Photos or Dropbox for temporary storage of media files. The main thing is save the folder structureotherwise Viber it will not be able to recognize them.

    💡

    If you are transferring large files (video > 500 MB), archive them before copying folder Viber/Media in ZIP. This will speed up the process and avoid errors when transferring via Wi-Fi or cable.

    Transfer Viber between phones of different brands (Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, etc.)

    Smartphone manufacturers often modify Android, which can affect data transfer. Let's consider the nuances for popular brands:

    • 📱 Samsung:
      • Use Samsung Smart Switch to transfer files Viber (folders /Viber/Media/ and /Viber/Downloads/).
      • For backups (.vcb) requires manual copying - Smart Switch does not see them.
    • 📱 Xiaomi:
      • Enable Developer mode and allow USB debugging to use ADB.
      • Folder /MIUI/Backup/ is not suitable for Viber —use standard methods.
    • 📱 Huawei:
      • Application Phone Clone does not transfer messenger data - only contacts and media.
      • For ADB requires an additional driver HiSuite.
    • 📱 Google Pixel:
      • Use Google Files to copy folders Viber via Nearby Share.
      • To Android 13+ may need to be disabled Scoped Storage via ADB: 
        adb shell appops set com.viber.voip android:legacy_storage allow

    General rule: always check for the presence of the folder /Viber/ on a new device before transferring. If it is not there, create it manually through any file manager.

    💡

    On phones with pure Android (Pixel, Motorola), the transfer is easier due to open access to the file system. On devices with shells (MIUI, One UI, EMUI), additional permissions or the use of ADB may be required.

    Common errors and their solutions

    Even when following the instructions, users encounter problems. Let's look at typical errors and how to fix them:

    Error Cause Solution
    "The backup cannot be restored" Version mismatch Viber or file corruption .vcb. Update the application on both devices to the latest version. Recreate the backup copy.
    Missing media files after transfer The folder /Viber/Media/ was not copied or the access rights were reset. Check the presence of the folder and its contents. If necessary, assign rights 755 via ADB:
    Stickers are not restored Stickers are stored in /data/data/ and are not transferred without root. Use Titanium Backup (root) or download the stickers again from the store.
    "You already have an account on this device" Another number was previously authorized on the new phone Viber. Delete Viber, clear the cache and data in Settings → Applications, then install again.

    If none of the methods worked, try an alternative method:

    1. On your old phone, export chats to text file: Settings → Chat → Export history (available for individual dialogs).
    2. Transfer the received files .txt to a new phone.
    3. Import them via Settings → Chat → Import history.
    ⚠️ Attention: Export/import history works only for text messages. Media files, voice and stickers are not transferred this way.

    FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

    Is it possible to transfer Viber from Android to iPhone?

    No, there is no official way to transfer between different operating systems systems do not exist. The only option is to export chat history to .txt (without media files) and manually forward important data.

    Why are some messages not displayed after the transfer?

    This is due to partial recovery the backup copy. Check:

    • Whether the versions are the same Viber on both devices.
    • Whether the file copying process was interrupted.
    • Is there enough space on the new phone (required for large chats) up to 1–2 GB).

    If the problem persists, try restoring the copy again or use a manual transfer via ADB.

    How to transfer Viber if the old phone is broken or lost?

    If you have backup copy .vcb on PC or in the cloud:

    1. Download the file to the new phone.
    2. Place it in /Viber/Backup/.
    3. Install Viber and log in - the system will offer to restore the data.

    If copies no, restore history impossible —data is stored only on the device.

    Will Viber work on two phones at the same time?

    No, Viber supports only one active device to the number. When authorizing on a new phone, the session on the old one will automatically end. The exception is Viber for PCwhich can be used in parallel with the mobile application.

    How to transfer contacts from Viber?

    Contacts to Viber synchronizes with the Android phone book. To transfer them:

    1. Export contacts on your old phone: Contacts → Settings → Export (file .vcf).
    2. Import the file on your new device: Contacts → Settings → Import.
    3. Update your contact list in Viber: More (⋮) → Update contacts.