Changing a smartphone is always an exciting process, but the need to transfer personal correspondence often causes panic among users. The loss of important dialogues, work chats or family photos from the archive can be a real tragedy. Fortunately, the architecture of the operating system Android and the functionality of the messenger itself provide several reliable ways to save message history.
In this guide we will analyze in detail all the current methods of data migration. You will learn how cloud backup works via Google Drive, what are the features of local file transfer and what nuances exist when changing an account. We will not use third-party dubious apps - only official and proven tools that guarantee the integrity of your confidential information.
Preparing for data transfer and checking accounts
Before proceeding with technical manipulations, you need to make sure that both devices are ready for the procedure. A critical condition for most methods is the presence of the same phone numbers on both devices or access to a SIM card to receive a verification code. Without verifying the number, it will be impossible to restore access to the message archive.
Check whether there is free space on both devices. The backup copy can take up a significant amount of memory, especially if there is a lot of media in your chats. Also make sure that the latest version of the application WhatsApp from the official store Google Playis installed on your old phone. Outdated software may contain errors that prevent the correct creation of a backup.
Be sure to check the linked account Google. He is the one responsible for storing cloud copies. If you plan to use the cloud method, make sure that synchronization is enabled on your old device and that you have access to the same account on your new smartphone. Different accounts will lead to the fact that the new phone simply will not “see” your old data.
☑️ Ready for migration
Creating a backup copy in the Google Drive cloud
The most popular and convenient transfer method is using cloud storage. This method requires a stable network connection Wi-Fias transferring large amounts of data via mobile data can be time-consuming and costly. The process of creating a copy is initiated directly from the messenger settings on the old device.
Go to the application settings menu, select the section Chats, and then the item Backup of chats. Here you will see a button Backup and information about the last saved copy. Click the button to start the process. The system will prompt you to select the frequency of automatic creation of copies and a Google account for storage.
It is important to pay attention to the checkbox Enable video. By default, video files are often excluded from backup to save space. If it is important for you to save video recordings from correspondence, activate this option before starting the process. The time it takes to create a copy directly depends on the amount of data and the speed of your Internet connection.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that Google Drive settings do not enable compression of photos and videos in Space Saver mode if you want to preserve the original quality of media files. This may affect the clarity of images after recovery.
If the backup process is stuck at 99%, do not restart your phone immediately. Wait 10-15 minutes - the system may complete indexing the latest files in the background.
Restoring chats on a new device from the cloud
After successfully completing the backup on your old phone, you can begin setting up a new device. Install the app WhatsApp from the app store, but don't open it yet. The first step should be authorization in the system Android under the same account Googlethat was used for the backup.
Launch the messenger and enter your phone number. Once you receive and enter the SMS verification code, the system will automatically detect an available backup copy in Google Drive. A message will appear on the screen with the date and size of the found archive. You will be prompted to click the button Restore.
Click confirmation and wait for the process to complete. First, text messages are restored, and then, in the background, media files are downloaded. At this point, do not close the application or lock the screen to avoid interrupting the flow of data. Once completed, you will see your chats as they were when the copy was created.
| Option | Cloud method (Google) | Local method (Files) | Direct transfer (Cable) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Network requirement | Wi-Fi required | Not required | Not required |
| Recovery speed | Depends on the Internet | High | Very high |
| Setting complexity | Minimal | Medium (PC required) | Low |
| Risk of data loss | Low | Medium (copy error) | Low |
Local transfer via file manager and PC
If you do not have access to fast Wi-Fi or limited space on Google Drive, you can use the local transfer method. This method involves manually copying the database file from the internal storage of the old phone to the new one. Backup files are stored in a hidden system folder Android.
On the old device, open the file manager and follow the path Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases (on new versions of Android) or WhatsApp/Databases (on older versions). You need a file with a name like msgstore.db.crypt14 (the number may differ depending on the encryption version). Copy this file to your computer or directly to a new smartphone.
On the new phone, install WhatsApp, but do not run it. First, create the required folder structure manually through the file manager, if it does not already appear. Copy the database file to the appropriate directory. Important: if the file has a date in the name (for example, msgstore-2023-10-05.1.db.crypt14), rename it, removing the date, so that only msgstore.db.crypt14.
Path for new Android 11+:/Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases/
Path for old Android:
/WhatsApp/Databases/
Only after the file is correctly placed in the folder, launch the application. When checking the number, the phone will offer to restore the local copy instead of the cloud one, as it will detect the file in the internal memory. Agree with this action, and your chats will be deployed from a local source.
What to do if the phone does not see the local file?
Make sure that the file is in the Databases folder, and not just in WhatsApp. Also check that the file name exactly matches the pattern msgstore.db.cryptXX. Extra characters or spaces in the name can make the file invisible to the application.
Using a cable and the Quick Switch function
Modern smartphones, especially from manufacturers like Samsung, Google Pixel i Xiaomi, are equipped with built-in utilities for data migration. Function Quick Switch or similar tools allow you to transfer WhatsApp directly via a USB-C to USB-C cable, bypassing the cloud and manually copying files.
Connect both phones with a cable. On your new device, during initial setup, select the option to copy data from your old phone. In the list of applications to transfer, be sure to check the box WhatsApp. The system will automatically create a temporary copy on the old device, transfer it over the cable and install it on the new one.
This method is the most reliable for transferring call history within WhatsApp, which is often not saved in regular Google Drive backups. The process takes place in an encrypted tunnel, which guarantees data security. Once completed, on the new phone you will simply need to confirm the number and the application will open with the full history.
⚠️ Attention: When using the cable method, make sure that the cable supports data transfer and not just charging. Cheap cables “for charging only” will not allow phones to exchange information.
The cable method is the only way to guarantee transfer of the history of WhatsApp voice and video calls, which is not saved in cloud backups.
Common errors and ways to fix them
Despite the simplicity of the procedures, users often encounter typical problems. One of the most common mistakes is mismatching database encryption versions. If you manually copy a file from an old phone to a very new one (or vice versa), the encryption format may be different and the application will refuse to restore the chat.
Another common problem is logging into a different Google account. Users may accidentally create a new profile on the phone and try to restore data there. Remember: the backup is strictly tied to a specific email address. Changing the account makes the cloud copy unavailable to the current user.
- 📱 “File is corrupted” error: usually occurs when copying a file via a PC is interrupted. Try copying the file again using a different cable or USB port.
- 📶 "Insufficient space" error: clear the application cache or delete unnecessary downloads before starting the recovery, as the process requires temporary free space.
- 🔒 "Invalid number" error: make sure the SIM card is active and receiving SMS. Without a confirmation code, access to the encrypted database is impossible.
If the recovery freezes at the “Downloading media files” stage, check the stability of the connection. In some cases, switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data (if traffic allows) or vice versa helps. Also try clearing the cache of the WhatsApp application itself through the Android settings before trying again.
Is it possible to merge two different databases?
This function is not officially supported. Attempts to manually merge databases using third-party utilities will most likely lead to the complete loss of all messages. Do not experiment with editing .db.crypt files.
Questions and answers about transferring WhatsApp
Will my privacy settings and profile picture be transferred?
Yes, when restoring from a full backup (especially via cable or cloud), not only chats are restored, but also profile settings, including avatar, status and privacy settings. However, notification settings may be reset to default depending on the Android version.
What happens if I restore a copy created a month ago?
All messages received after the date this copy was created will be permanently deleted from the phone. When restoring, the system replaces the current database with the one that was in the archive. Therefore, always create a fresh copy before transferring.
Is it possible to transfer WhatsApp to a phone with a different number?
Officially, this is impossible without losing your chat history, since the account is tied to the number. You can change the number inside the application on your old phone (the "Change number" function), which will transfer chats to the new number, and only then make a backup copy for the new device.
How long does it take to restore 10 GB of data?
The time depends on the Internet speed and connection type. Over Wi-Fi, the process can take from 30 minutes to several hours. When using a USB-C cable, transferring 10 GB of data usually occurs in 5-10 minutes.
Will my groups be lost after the transfer?
No, group information is stored on WhatsApp servers. After logging into your account on the new phone, you will automatically be back in all your groups, even if the backup was old. The history of correspondence in groups will be restored according to the backup date.