The transition to a new smartphone, especially in the ecosystem Samsung, is always associated with concern for the safety of personal data. The most valuable thing for most users is the history of communication in instant messengers, which has accumulated over the years. Losing important dialogues, work chats or family photos from WhatsApp is unacceptable, so the issue of correct transfer comes first before migration.
Fortunately, the architecture Android allows you to perform this procedure in several reliable ways, from cloud backups to direct cable connection. In this article we will look at all the nuances of how to transfer WhatsApp to another phone while saving correspondence from Android to Android Samsung, avoiding common errors and data loss.
Backup - this is a fundamental step, without which it is absolutely impossible to start the transfer procedure. Regardless of the method you choose, having a fresh copy of your data is insurance against any failures during the migration process.
Preparing your old device for migration
Before you begin the actual transfer, you need to make sure that your current device is completely ready for this procedure. Often, users neglect basic checks, which leads to the process being interrupted midway. Make sure that the latest version is installed on both smartphones WhatsApp, downloaded from the official store Google Play.
Check the availability of free space on the internal drive. Local messenger databases can take up a significant amount of space, especially if you actively exchange media files. Insufficient space may result in the backup file simply not being created or being damaged during recording.
It is also critically important to check the account linking Google. It is to this account that cloud backups are linked by default. If you plan to use the cloud method, make sure that on your old phone, in the settings Google → Backup sync for WhatsApp.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure you use the same phone number on the new device. Transferring chat history between different numbers without using the change number function inside the application is impossible using standard means.
Charge both devices to at least 70-80%. The process of encrypting and decrypting a database requires significant CPU resources, which leads to rapid energy consumption. A sudden power outage while writing files can damage the database structure msgstore.db.
☑️ Ready for transfer
Backup method to Google Drive
The most common and recommended method by developers is using cloud storage Google Drive. This method is convenient because it does not require having both phones on hand at the same time at the time of transfer; you just need access to the Internet and your account.
To create a copy, go to the settings of the messenger itself. The path usually looks like this: Settings → Chats → Chat backup. Here you will see the date it was last saved. If you are not satisfied with it, click the button Backup.
In the same menu, it is important to configure the parameters for the frequency and conditions for creating copies. You can choose to save daily, weekly or monthly. The issue of including video in the archive is also addressed here - remember that video recordings take up a lot of disk space.
| Setting parameter | Recommended value | Impact on the process |
|---|---|---|
| Copying frequency | Daily | Minimizes data loss in case of breakdown |
| Google account | Primary | Guarantees access to the file from a new device |
| Type networks | Wi-Fi only | Saves mobile traffic for large volumes |
| Add video | Optional | Significantly increases the archive size |
After downloading to cloud server, the process on the old phone side is considered completed. Now all your data is in a secure storage Google and is ready for recovery on any device where you log in using the same login.
If you have a limited mobile data plan, always select the backup option via Wi-Fi only to avoid unplanned expenses.
Restoring data on a new one Samsung
When you pick up a new smartphone Samsung, the first thing you need to do is perform the initial system setup. The key point here is to log into the same account Googlethat was used on the old device to create a backup.
Install the application WhatsApp from the store Galaxy Store or Google Play. When you first launch the application, you will be asked to confirm your phone number. Enter the same number to which the account was previously registered.
After checking the number, the system will detect the presence of a backup copy on Google Drive. A prompt will appear on the screen to restore your chat history and media files. Extremely important click the "Restore" button at this point.
⚠️ Attention: If you click "Skip" on the first start, restore data from the cloud will later be impossible through the app settings. You will have to delete the application and start the installation again.
The recovery process may take from several minutes to an hour, depending on the speed of your Internet connection and the amount of data. During this time, do not minimize the application and keep the screen active. After the import is complete, all your chats will appear in the list.
Using Samsung Smart Switch for direct transfer
Device owners Samsung have a unique advantage - a proprietary utility Smart Switch. This tool allows you to transfer data directly from an old Android smartphone to a new Samsung, bypassing cloud storage, which significantly speeds up the process.
For the method to work, both phones must have the application installed Smart Switch. On new models Galaxy it is pre-installed; on older devices you need to download it from the store. The connection can be made via a USB-C cable or via a Wi-Fi Direct wireless network.
Run the application on both devices. On the old phone, select the “Send data” role, and on the new one Samsung - “Receive data”. Follow the onscreen instructions to pair your devices. After connection, select the category of data to transfer.
Make sure that the item is checked in the list of transferred files WhatsApp. The utility will automatically create a local copy and transfer it to the new device, after which it will offer to restore the data the first time you launch the messenger on the target smartphone.
What to do if Smart Switch does not see WhatsApp?
Sometimes the application is not displayed in the list of those available for transfer. In this case, try updating Smart Switch on both devices or use the manual copy method via a computer.
The advantage of this method is its speed and lack of dependence on the quality of the Internet connection. You transfer data locally, which is especially important for large volumes of media files that take a long time to upload to the cloud.
Manual transfer of local files via a computer
If cloud methods are for some reason unavailable or not trustworthy, you can use the "old-fashioned" method - manually copying database files via a computer. This method requires more technical literacy, but gives full control over the process.
Connect the old phone to the PC in file transfer mode MTP. You need to find the folder with the messenger data. In modern versions of Android, the path looks like Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases. In older versions, the folder WhatsApp may be located in the root of the internal memory.
Copy the file with the type name msgstore-2023-10-25.1.db.crypt14 (date and encryption number may differ) to your computer. It is also recommended to copy the entire folder Mediaif you want to save all received pictures and voice messages.
Database path (Android 11+):
/Internal Storage/Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases/
Then connect the new phone Samsung to the computer. Create a similar folder structure in the internal memory of the new device. It is important to do this before installation and launch of the application WhatsApp on the new phone.
Place the downloaded database file in the folder Databases on the new smartphone. If there are several files, rename the most recent one to msgstore.db.cryptXX (removing the date from the name) so that the application recognizes it as the main base for recovery.
When manually transferring, matching encryption versions (crypt12, crypt14, crypt15) is critical. If the version does not match, the application will not be able to decrypt the database.
Solving common problems and errors
Even if you strictly follow the instructions, users may encounter technical glitches. One of the common problems is recovery failure due to incompatible application versions. Make sure that the same version is installed on both devices WhatsApp.
Sometimes the process freezes at the "Prepare..." or "Recovery..." stage. In such a situation, try temporarily disabling the antivirus or firewall on your computer if you are using a cable, or switching from Wi-Fi to a mobile network and back.
If after restoring you see only old chats and no new messages have appeared, check the date the backup file was created. You probably restored an archive from several days ago, and the data for the last period has not yet been synchronized.
⚠️ Attention: Settings interfaces and file paths may vary slightly depending on the version of One UI on your Samsung and the version of Android. Always check the current menus on your device.
If all methods fail completely, the last option is to contact official support WhatsApp through the app settings, providing error logs if the system prompts you to send them.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to transfer correspondence to a phone with another phone number?
You cannot transfer chat history to another number using standard means. However, there is a "Change number" function inside the application that allows you to transfer your account and history to a new number, provided that the SIM card with the old number is still active and inserted into the phone.
What to do if Google Drive says there is not enough space?
WhatsApp backups for personal use do not take up your Google Drive quota. If you get a location error, check if your account is full of other files, or try the direct cable copy method.
Will my groups disappear after transferring to Samsung?
No, group information is stored on WhatsApp servers. Once the database is restored and you are logged into your account, you will automatically return to all your groups, provided that you were not kicked out of them by administrators during the downtime.
How to transfer encrypted chats?
Chats with end-to-end encryption require an additional step. When you create a backup on your old phone, you'll be prompted to set an encryption password or create a 64-digit key. This key will need to be entered when restoring to a new device.