How to transfer WhatsApp from Android to Android via computer while saving correspondence: a complete guide

Transfer WhatsApp between two Androiddevices while saving all correspondence, media files and settings is a task that seems simple only at first glance. Many users are facing problems ranging from losing chat history to errors when restoring backups. Things are especially difficult when it comes to switching from one smartphone to another without using cloud services through a computer.

In this article we will look at one that works even if you do not have access to Google Drive, weak Internet or limited cloud storage. The method is suitable for all versions The only reliable way to transfer WhatsApp between Android devices via PC, which works even if you don't have access to Google Drive, have weak internet or limited cloud storage. The method is suitable for all versions WhatsApp (including WhatsApp Business) and is relevant for devices on Android 8.0 and newer. You will learn how to properly prepare both phones, what tools you will need, and how to avoid common mistakes that can cause your correspondence to disappear.

Why can’t you just copy the WhatsApp folder to a new phone?

Many users mistakenly think that it is enough to copy a folder /sdcard/WhatsApp/ from one device to another - and the correspondence will be transferred automatically. In practice, this doesn't work for three reasons:

• 🔑 Database encryption. The file msgstore.db.crypt14 (or similar) is encrypted with reference to a specific device and phone number. Without the correct key WhatsApp will not be able to read it.
• 📱 Different versions of Android. If devices run on different versions of the OS (for example, Android 10 and Android 13), the structure of the backup copies may differ.
• 🔄 Account conflict. When you first start WhatsApp on a new phone, a new database is created. If you simply replace it with the old one, the application may block the account due to suspicion of hacking.

Another trap: even if you copy the folder WhatsApp to a new phone, when you first start the messenger will offer to restore data from Google Drive — and ignores local files. To get around this limitation, you need to modify the installation process.

⚠️ Attention: If you have already installed WhatsApp on a new phone and skipped the recovery step, delete the application and clear its data (Settings → Applications → WhatsApp → Storage → Clear data). Otherwise, transferring the correspondence will not be possible.

What you will need to transfer WhatsApp via a computer

To successfully transfer correspondence prepare:

Also make sure that:

• 🔋 On both phones there is enough battery charge (at least 50%).
• 📶 WhatsApp on the old phone updated to the latest version.
• 🔒 You remember the password for your account Google (required for authorization on a new device).

⚠️ Attention: If it was already installed on the new phone WhatsApp and you logged into your account, delete the application and clear its data. Otherwise, the backup copy will be restored. blocked.

Step 1: Creating a WhatsApp backup on your old phone

Before transferring data, you need to create a local backup correspondences on your old device. To do this:

1. Open WhatsApp on your old phone.
2. Go to ⋮ (Menu) → Settings → Chat → Backup.
3. Click "Create a copy" (do not select Google Drive!).
4. Wait for the process to complete. The copy file will be saved at the path:

   /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/msgstore.db.crypt14

Important: if you use WhatsApp Business, the path to the database will be similar, but in the folder WhatsApp Business. Also check that all media files (photos, videos, voice messages) are saved in the folder. WhatsApp/Media All media files (photos, videos, voice messages) are saved.

A local copy of chats has been created (msgstore.db.crypt14)|The presence of media files in the WhatsApp/Media folder has been checked|The phone is connected to the PC in MTP mode|ADB is installed and works-->

If the backup freezes or gives an error, try:

• 📵 Reboot the phone.
• 🗃️ Clear cache WhatsApp (Settings → Applications → WhatsApp → Memory → Clear cache).
• 🔄 Delete old backups from the folder Databases (leave only the last one).

Step 2: Transfer the backup to your computer

Now you need to copy the backup files from your phone to your PC. To do this:

1. Connect your old phone to the computer via USB cable.
2. Select file transfer mode (MTP or File manager).
3. On your computer, open the phone folder and follow the path:

   Internal memory → WhatsApp → Databases

4. Copy all files with the extension .crypt14 (or .crypt12if you are using an old version) to a separate folder on your PC.
5. Copy the folder in the same way WhatsApp/Media (if you want to save media files).

If the folder WhatsApp is not displayed on the PC:

• 🔍 Make sure that showing hidden files is enabled on your phone (in the file manager).
• 🔌 Try another USB cable or port.
• 📱 Reboot your phone and a computer.

To speed up the transfer of large files (for example, if the chat history weighs several gigabytes), you can use ADB. Commands for copying:

adb pull /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/ C:\Backup\WhatsApp\Databases
adb pull /sdcard/WhatsApp/Media/ C:\Backup\WhatsApp\Media

⚠️ Attention: Do not change the names of the backup files! WhatsApp looks for exactly msgstore.db.crypt14 (or similar). If you rename the file, recovery will fail.

Step 3: Preparing a new phone for recovery

Before transferring data to a new device, you must prepare it for proper recovery. Follow the instructions:

1. Install WhatsApp on a new phone from Google Play, but do not run it!
2. Connect the new phone to the computer in the mode MTP.
3. Create a folder on the phone WhatsApp in the root of the internal memory (if it does not exist).
4. Inside it, create subfolders Databases and Media.

If the folder WhatsApp already exists (for example, after a previous installation of the messenger), delete it and create it again. This ensures that no conflicting files remain.

For devices with Android 11+ additional permission to access folders may be required. To get it:

1. Open Settings → Applications → WhatsApp → Permissions.
2. Enable access to "Files and media".
3. Select "All files" (not "Media only").

adb shell mkdir /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases

Step 4: Transferring data to a new phone and restoring correspondence

Now let's transfer the backup copy from the computer to the new device and restore the chats:

1. Copy the files from the folder Backup\WhatsApp\Databases (from the PC) to /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/ on the new phone.
2. In the same way, transfer the media files to /sdcard/WhatsApp/Media/.
3. Disconnect the phone from the PC.
4. Run WhatsApp and go through the registration procedure (enter the same phone number as on the old device).
5. On the recovery screen press "Restore"when prompted.

If recovery does not start automatically:

• 🔄 Reboot your phone and try again WhatsApp.
• 📁 Make sure that The file msgstore.db.crypt14 is located in the correct folder.
• 🔧 Check that there is enough free space on the phone (at least 2-3 GB).

The recovery process can take from several minutes to an hour - depending on the amount of data. Do not interrupt it and do not exit the application!

Typical errors and how to fix them

Even if you follow the instructions exactly, problems may arise. Let's look at the most common ones:

If WhatsApp after recovery it is unstable (for example, chats load slowly or media files do not open), try:

• 🔄 Reinstall the application.
• 🗃️ Clear cache (Settings → Applications → WhatsApp → Storage → Clear cache).
• 📱 Reboot the phone.

Additional tips for success. transfer

To minimize the risk of data loss, follow these recommendations:

• 🔄 Check your backups. Before transferring, open the file msgstore.db.crypt14 in a text editor (the first lines should contain readable text, not garbage).
• 📡 Use a stable connection. If you transfer data via Wi-Fi (via FTP or the cloud), make sure that the signal is not interrupted.
• 🔒 Sync contacts. After transfer, WhatsApp may not show contact names if they are not synced with Google account.
• 📅 Update WhatsApp. Before transferring, update the messenger on both devices to the latest version to avoid database format conflicts.

If you are transferring WhatsApp Business, please note that:

• 🏢 Product catalog and business settings are not saved in the backup copy of chats.
• 📊 Statistics and customer tags also not transferred —they will have to be configured again.

⚠️ Attention: If you use WhatsApp with two-level authentication (PIN), you will also need to enter it on the new device. If you forgot your PIN, restore it via the email associated with your account.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about transferring WhatsApp