Changing a mobile device is always an exciting process, which inevitably entails the need for data migration. Users are particularly concerned about saving the history of correspondence in instant messengers, since this data often has personal or work value. Transferring WhatsApp to a new phone under control Android requires a careful approach, since the backup structure and authentication methods are constantly updated by the application developers.
In this article, we will analyze in detail all the available methods for transferring an account, including the use of cloud storage, local file copying, and the direct transfer function via a QR code. You will learn about the technical nuances of working with the database msgstore.db, the peculiarities of linking to a phone number and the potential risks of losing information if actions are performed incorrectly.
Successful migration depends on the correct preparation of both devices and choosing the optimal method that suits your situation. Regardless of whether you are changing the device to the same model or switching to a device from another manufacturer, following the algorithm of actions guarantees the safety of all media files and text messages.
Preparing the old device for data transfer
Before starting the procedure, you need to make sure that the latest version of the application is installed on your old smartphone WhatsApp. Outdated versions may use different encryption protocols or have errors in the archive creation mechanism, which will lead to failure when restoring on a new gadget. It is best to update through the official store Google Play Storeto avoid installing modified versions.
A critical step is to create an up-to-date backup. The user must manually initiate this process, rather than relying solely on automatic settings that may have been disabled or not worked in a timely manner. To do this, you need to go to the application settings menu, select the section Chats and click on the item Chats backup.
When creating an archive, pay attention to the parameter Google Drive. If you plan to use the cloud transfer method, make sure you select the correct Google Account that you can access on your new device. Also check your backup frequency settings and make sure video files are included in the archive if they are important to you, as they take up a significant amount of memory.
⚠️ Attention: Before creating a backup, make sure your device is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network. Backup via mobile network may be interrupted due to an unstable signal or exhaustion of the traffic limit, which will lead to the creation of a corrupted archive file.
After pressing the button Create wait for the process to complete. The execution time depends on the amount of accumulated data and the speed of the Internet connection. Interrupting this stage is unacceptable, as it can lead to desynchronization of the local database and cloud storage.
Google Drive transfer method
The most common and convenient method of migration is using cloud storage Google Drive. This method does not require a physical connection between phones and allows you to recover data even if the old device is no longer accessible or has been reset to factory settings. The main condition is to use the same Google account on both smartphones. The recovery process begins immediately after installing the application on the new phone. When you first start, the system will ask you to confirm your phone number. It is important that the number matches the one used on the old device, since the backup copy is tied to it, and not just to the mail account. Google account on both smartphones.
The recovery process begins immediately after installing the application WhatsApp to a new phone. When you first start, the system will ask you to confirm your phone number. It is important that the number matches the one used on the old device, since the backup copy is tied to it, and not just to the mail account.
After confirming the number, the application will automatically detect an available backup copy on Google Drive. You will be prompted to restore your chat history and media files. By agreeing to this offer, you will start the data download process. The speed of recovery directly depends on the speed of your Internet channel.
☑️ Check before recovery
During recovery, it is not recommended to minimize the application or lock the device screen to prevent the connection with the server from being lost. If the process freezes at a certain percentage, check the power saving settings, which may limit the background activity of network interfaces.
If the recovery is stuck at 99%, try temporarily disabling mobile data and leaving only Wi-Fi, or vice versa, to change the network interface and resume downloading.
Direct transfer via QR code (no cloud)
The developers have introduced a direct chat transfer function that allows you to transfer data from an old phone to a new one without using cloud services. This method is especially relevant if you do not have enough space on Google Drive or you want to keep your data confidential without uploading it to the Internet.
To implement this method, both devices must be nearby and connected to the same Wi-Fi network, or the new phone must create an access point. On a new device, when setting up, select the option to transfer chat history, after which a QR code will appear on the screen.
On the old phone, you need to open the settings WhatsApp, go to the section Chats and select the item Transfer chats. By scanning the QR code with your new device, you initiate a direct transfer of the encrypted data packet. This process can take considerable time if there is a large volume of media files.
| Option | Google Drive | Direct transfer (QR) | Local file |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet required | Yes (high speed) | Only for initiation | No |
| Account dependent | High | Low | Absent |
| Process speed | Average | High (via Wi-Fi Direct) | Instant (after copying) |
| Risk of data loss | Minimum | Medium (if connection is lost) | High (if user error) |
The advantage of this method is the ability to transfer data even between different ecosystems using special cables or adapters, although this works most stably within Android-to-Android. Make sure that the screens of both phones do not go dark during the transfer.
Manual transfer of a local copy through a file manager
For advanced users who prefer full control over the process, there is a method of manually copying database files. This method allows you to transfer your correspondence history without being tied to the Internet and cloud services, using only internal memory or a computer as an intermediary.
On your old device you need to find a folder with backup copies. In modern versions Android the path to it has changed due to system security policies. Now the files are usually located at Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases or in the root of the internal memory in the folder WhatsApp/Databases.
You will need to copy the file with the name type msgstore.db.crypt14 (the number may differ depending on the encryption version) to the new phone. It is important to place this file in a similar directory on the new device before installation and first launch of the application WhatsApp.
If you install the application after copying the file, it will automatically detect the local backup when checking the phone number and offer to restore data from it, while ignoring the offer to restore from Google Driveif you select the appropriate item.
⚠️ Attention: When manually copying, it is critical not to rename the backup file. Changing the file name or extension will prevent the application from decrypting the database, and recovery will become impossible without special utilities.
What to do if the folder is not on the new phone?
If after installing WhatsApp the Android/media/com.whatsapp folder was not created automatically, create a folder structure manually using any file manager, observing the case of letters in the names, and place the database file there.
Data recovery on a new device
The final stage of the process is the correct initialization of the application on the new smartphone. After the files have been copied or downloaded from the cloud, the system will prompt you to complete the profile setup. At this stage, the database is decrypted and media files are integrated into the device’s gallery.
Please note that the restoration of voice messages and statuses may occur with a slight delay after the main process. This is normal system behavior associated with priority processing of text messages. It may take several minutes for all files to be fully indexed in the background.
Once the recovery is complete, check the integrity of the data. Open several dialogs, make sure there are attachments and message dates are displayed correctly. If some chats are missing, they may not be included in the latest backup due to filtering settings.
In some cases, you may need to re-verify two-factor authentication if it was enabled on your old device. Be prepared to enter the PIN code that you set earlier, otherwise access to your account will be blocked for 7 days.
Never delete the WhatsApp application from your old phone until you are 100% sure that all data is displayed correctly on the new device.
Possible errors and ways to solve them
During the migration process, users often encounter various technical failures. One common problem is a message that the backup is corrupted or cannot be found. This often happens when using different Google accounts or when there are problems with the file system.
Another common error is related to the lack of free space on the internal storage of the new phone. To correctly unpack an archive, a memory volume is required that is approximately 1.5–2 times larger than the size of the copy itself. Clearing the cache and deleting unnecessary files before starting the procedure is mandatory.
There may also be problems with the encryption version. If you are moving from a very old phone to a new one with the latest version Android, encryption algorithms may not be the same. In this case, it is recommended to first update the application on the old device, create a fresh copy and only then transfer it.
⚠️ Attention: The menu interface and item names may differ slightly depending on the smartphone model and the manufacturer’s shell version (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS). If you cannot find the item you need, use the search in your phone settings.
If none of the methods help, it is possible to contact support WhatsApp directly from the application. However, they cannot recover data for you, but only provide technical recommendations to resolve specific error codes.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to transfer WhatsApp to a new phone without changing the SIM card?
Yes, it is possible. The SIM card can remain in the old phone if it has access to Wi-Fi to receive an SMS or call with a verification code. However, for initial activation on a new device, it is better to temporarily rearrange the SIM card to be guaranteed to receive a verification code.
What happens if I restore a copy and then receive new messages on the old phone?
Messages received on the old device after creating a backup copy will not appear on the new phone automatically. To synchronize them, you will have to create a new backup on the old device and restore it again on the new one, which will overwrite the current history.
Are privacy settings and blacklist transferred?
Yes, when restoring from a full backup, all account settings are transferred, including privacy settings, the list of blocked contacts, pinned chats and notification settings.
Is it possible to transfer chats from Android to iPhone using this method?
No, the methods described in the article only work in the Android ecosystem. To transfer from Android to iOS, you need to use a special cable and the “Transfer to iOS” utility when initially setting up your iPhone, or third-party paid software.