How to transfer Viber from Android to Android while saving correspondence: 5 proven methods

Moving to a new smartphone always involves the risk of losing important correspondence - especially if we are talking about Viberwhere years of communication, work negotiations or personal memories are stored. Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to simply install the application on a new device and log in with the same number. However, without proper preparation chat history, media files and even notification settings can disappear irrevocably.

In this article we will analyze all the current methods for transferring Viber between Android devices —from official backup to manual methods for experienced users. You will learn how to avoid common mistakes (for example, losing messages when changing a SIM card), what settings you need to check at the beginning of the procedure, and what to do if the standard backup is not restored. And for those who are afraid of technical difficulties, we have prepared to start of the procedure, and what to do if the standard backup is not restored. And for those who are afraid of technical difficulties, we have prepared step-by-step guide with visual cues and checklists.

Important: the transfer procedure depends on the version Viber (current at the time of writing this article 23.9.0.1), smartphone model and version Android. If you have a device with custom firmware or root access, some steps may differ.

1. Preparing for the transfer: what needs to be done before you begin

Before you begin the transfer, make sure that both smartphones meet the minimum requirements:

• 📱 Old phone: version Android 5.0 and higher, latest version Viber, at least 1 GB of free space.
• 🆕 New phone: clean installation Android (without transferring data through Google Account at the setup stage), the same phone number.
• 🔄 Synchronization: on the old device, disable battery optimization for Viber (Settings → Applications → Viber → Battery → No restrictions).

A critical mistake of many users is ignoring Viber versions on both devices. If an older version of the messenger is installed on a new phone, restoring the backup may fail. Check the relevance via Google Play or the official website Viber.

⚠️ Attention: If you use Viber Out (paid calls), make sure that the same bank card is linked to the new device. Otherwise, the remaining funds may be lost.

We also recommend:

• 📡 Connect both phones to same Wi-Fi network (to speed up data transfer).
• 🔋 Charge your devices to at least 50% (transferring large chats can take up to 30 minutes).
• 📝 Record or take a photo Viber account ID (Settings → Account) - you will need it for recovery if something goes wrong.

2. Official method: backup to Google Drive

The most reliable and recommended Viber method is using Google Drive. It is suitable for most users, does not require root access and saves:

• 💬 Entire correspondence history (including deleted messages if they have not been cleared).
• 📸 Media files (photos, videos, voice messages).
• ⚙️ Notification settings and themes.

Instructions for the old phone:

1. Open Viber and go to More (⋮) → Settings → Account → Backup.
2. Click Create a copy and select Google Drive.
3. Login in Google accountto which the new one is linked phone.
4. Wait for the process to complete (may take from 5 to 20 minutes depending on the amount of data).

On the new phone:

1. Install Viber from Google Play and run it.
2. Enter the same phone number as on the old device.
3. At the setup stage, select Restore from backup and specify the same Google account.
4. Confirm the restoration and wait until synchronization is complete.

Option	Google Drive	Local backup	Manual transfer
Transfer speed	Medium (depending on the Internet)	Fast (via cable)	Slow (requires skills)
Saving media files	Yes	Yes	Partially
Requires root	No	No	Sometimes
Suitable for large chats (>10 GB)	No (Google Drive limitation)	Yes	Yes

⚠️ Attention: If you have two-factor authentication enabled in Google accountbefore restoring, check that you have access to the backup codes. Otherwise, the process may be blocked.

Check the Wi-Fi connection on the new phone|

Make sure there is enough space on Google Drive (minimum 1.5× size backup)|

Disable VPN or proxy (they can block access to Viber servers)|

Close all background applications that consume traffic-->

3. Local backup: transfer via cable or SD card

If you do not have a stable Internet or do not trust cloud services, you can create local copy data Viber and transfer it manually. This method works even on devices without access to Google Drive.

Instructions for local backup:

1. On your old phone, open Viber Settings → Account → Backup → Local copy.
2. Select a folder to save (for example, Downloads or SD card).
3. Connect your phone to the PC via USB cable and copy the backup file (has the extension .vbb) to a safe place.
4. Transfer the file to a new phone (for example, via USB, Bluetooth or cloud storage).
5. Install Viberon the new device, log in and select Restore from local copy, specifying the path to the file .vbb.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔒 Data is not transmitted over the Internet (suitable for confidential correspondence).
• 📁 You can store several versions of backups (for example, weekly copies).
• 🛠️ Works on devices with limited access 🚫 Not saved data-i="172">design themes Google (for example, on some corporate networks).

Restrictions:

• 🚫 Not saved notification settings And design themes.
• 📱 Physical access to both devices is required.
• 🔧 If the file is damaged .vbb recovery is impossible.

4. Transfer via Titanum Backup (for root users)

If you have root access on your old phone, you can use Titanium Backup a powerful tool for backing up applications and their data. This method is suitable for experienced users and allows you to transfer not only correspondence, but also all Viber system settings, including cache and temporary files.

Step-by-step guide:

1. Install Titanium Backup from Google Play or from the official website.
2. Run the application and provide root access.
3. Find Viber in the list of applications and click on it.
4. Select Backup (Backup), then Save data + APK.
5. When completed, copy the file backup (located in /sdcard/TitaniumBackup) to the new phone.
6. On the new device, install Titanium Backup, restore Viber from the backup and reboot the phone.

Warnings:

• 🛡️ Do not use this method if you are not confident in your skills - improper recovery can lead to data loss or malfunctions Viber.
• 🔄 After recovery, check the operation messenger: sometimes re-authorization is required.
• 📱 On some firmware (for example, MIUI or EMUI) Titanium Backup may not restore data correctly due to manufacturer restrictions.

⚠️ Attention: If you use Magisk for managing root access, before creating a backup, temporarily disable modules that can block access to application data (for example, MagiskHide or DenyList).

What to do if Titanum Backup does not see Viber?

If Titanium Backup does not display Viber in the list of applications, check:

1. Superuser rights (restart Magisk or SuperSU).

2. Filter settings in Titanium Backup (possibly system applications are hidden).

3. File integrity Viber — try reinstalling the messenger before the backup.

5. Alternative methods: transfer without backup

If standard methods do not work (for example, due to a failure Google Drive or lack of root access), you can try manual methods. They take more time, but sometimes they turn out to be the only solution.

Method 1: Transferring the Viber folder via PC

Data Viber stored in folder /sdcard/Android/media/com.viber.voip. You can copy it to a new phone:

1. Connect the old phone to the PC and find the folder Viber (use Explorer or Total Commander).
2. Copy it to the computer, then transfer it to the new phone in the same location.
3. Install Viber on a new device and log in - the data should be loaded automatically.

Method 2: Export chats to a text file

If you only need text history (without media files), you can export chats to .txt:

1. In Viber open the desired chat → ⋮ → Export history.
2. Select format (TXT or HTML) and save the file.
3. Transfer the file to a new phone and import it through any text editor.

Limitations of manual methods:

• 📎 Media files (photos, videos, stickers) are not transferred.
• 🔄 Re-authorization is required on the new device.
• 📱 On some firmware, the folder Viber may be hidden - use a file manager with root access.

6. Typical errors and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users encounter problems. Here are the most common errors and how to fix them:

Error	Cause	Solution
Backup is not created	Not enough space on the device or in Google Disk	Clear the cache Viber or delete unnecessary files
Recovery stuck at 99%	Bad Internet connection or version conflict Viber	Restart the application and check updates
No "Restore" option	Backup was created under a different account Google	Log in to the correct account
Not all chats were transferred	The backup was interrupted or the file damaged	Repeat the procedure or use a local backup

If none of the methods worked:

• 📧 Contact support Viber via the feedback form in the application (Settings → Help → Write to support).
• 🔄 Try temporarily disabling antivirus or firewall - they may block access to files.
• 📱 Install on the new phone the same version Viberthat was on the old one (download APK from the site apkmirror.com).

7. How to check the success of the transfer

After completing the procedure, you need to make sure that all data has been transferred correctly. Check:

• 💬 Chat history: open several dialogs and scroll up - messages should be displayed without gaps.
• 📸 Media files: check that photos and videos in chats open (sometimes they may appear as downloading).
• ⚙️ Settings: go to Viber Settings and make sure that topics, notifications and linked accounts are saved.
• 🔍 Search: try to find an old message by keyword - if the search works, the backup has been restored completely.

If you find gaps:

1. Restart Viber (sometimes the data is not loaded immediately).
2. Check whether the recovery was interrupted - in this case, repeat the procedure.
3. If only media files are missing, try manually copying the folder Viber Media from the old phone.

⚠️ Attention: If after the transfer you see duplicate messages, do not delete them manually - wait synchronization (usually takes 1–2 hours). Otherwise, the structure of the chat may be disrupted.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Viber transfer

Can I transfer Viber to a new phone if I have changed my number?

Yes, but the chat history is tied to the old one number. You need to:

1. Create a backup on your old phone.
2. Install Viber on a new phone under old number and restore the data.
3. Then change the number in the settings (Settings → Account → Change number).

Please note: after changing the number, some chats may appear as new dialogs.

Why does it say "Unable to open the file" when restoring backup"?

This error occurs for three reasons:

• The backup file is damaged (try creating it again).
• Version Viber on the new phone is older than on the old one (install the same version).
• Insufficient permissions to access the file (check permissions or use another file manager).

Is it possible to transfer Viber from Android to iPhone?

Officially - no. Viber does not support cross-platform data transfer between Android i iOS. However, you can:

• Export important chats to TXT and import them to iPhone as notes.
• Copy media files manually via iTunes or cloud storage.

Full transfer of correspondence is possible only through third-party tools (for example, Backuptrans), but they require a PC and do not guarantee 100% results.

How long does the transfer take?

Time depends on the method and volume of data:

• Google Drive: 5–30 minutes (depending on Internet speed).
• Local backup: 2–10 minutes (via cable).
• Titanium Backup: 10–40 minutes (including copying and recovery).
• Manual transfer: 15–60 minutes (requires additional actions).

If you have a large chat history (>5 GB), we recommend using a local backup or Titanium Backup.

What happens if I delete Viber from my old phone before transfer?

If you delete Viber before creating a backup, your chat history will be lost without the possibility of recovery. However:

• If a backup has already been created (in Google Drive or locally), you can safely delete the application.
• If you log in on a new phone under the same number Viber will offer to restore data from the last backup (if there is one).

If there is no backup, but you did not delete it Viber completely (for example, you just reset the phone), try to restore the data through apps like DiskDigger or Recuva (the chances are low).