Replacing a smartphone with a new model is always a joyful event, but it is inevitably associated with the need to transfer important information. The most critical point for most users is saving the history of correspondence in instant messengers. If you are wondering how to copy WhatsApp from android to android, then this article will be your ultimate guide. The process may seem complicated due to the abundance of technical nuances, but in fact there are several proven methods.
Modern devices based on Android offer flexible backup tools, but the success of the operation depends on the correct preparation of both devices. Mistakes at the setup stage can lead to the loss of months of correspondence, media files and important contacts. We will look at both standard Google tools and manual migration methods, which help out in unusual situations.
Preparing devices before migration
Before taking active steps, you need to make sure that both devices - the old and the new - are ready for the procedure. The foundation for a successful transfer is a stable connection and sufficient free memory. Make sure that both smartphones have the latest version of the application installed WhatsApp from the official store Google Play.
A critical condition is having an account Google Account. It is to this that backup copies in the cloud storage will be linked. If you used a different phone number or email for synchronization on your old device, be sure to log into this account before starting to create a backup.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure you have enough free space on your Google Drive. A chat backup doesn't count towards Google's storage quota unless it was created recently and complies with the service's policies, but media files can take up space. Check the available space in your storage settings.
Also, be sure to connect both devices to a power source or ensure that the battery charge is at least 50%. The process of creating an archive and then restoring it can take a significant amount of time, especially if you have a lot of media files. Interrupting the process due to low battery may damage the database files.
☑️ Checklist for preparing for the transfer
Method one: Backup via Google Drive
This is the most popular and recommended by developers method, since it is as automated as possible and minimizes the risks of human error. The essence of the method is to upload the entire correspondence history to the Google cloud server, from where it is easily restored on a new device when you log in to the same account.
First, take your old phone and open the messenger settings. Go to section Settings → Chats → Chat backup. Here you will see a button Backup. Click on it to initiate the creation of a fresh archive right before replacing the device. If automatic backup has not been configured previously, the system will prompt you to select a Google account and the frequency of creating backups.
It is important to pay attention to point Add video. By default, video files are often excluded from backup to save space and time. If it is important for you to save video recordings from conversations, activate this switch. Remember that this will significantly increase the size of the archive and its download time.
Before clicking the "Backup" button, connect your phone to a Wi-Fi network. mobile data may be unstable, and the transfer of large amounts of data through the cellular network may be limited by the operator's tariff.
After completing the process on the old phone, proceed to setting up a new device. During initial setup Android be sure to log in to the same Google account. Then install WhatsApp, enter the same phone number you used before. The application will automatically detect the presence of a backup on the disk and offer to restore it.
Method two: Local copy without using the cloud
Sometimes using Google Drive is impossible due to lack of Internet, storage limitations or privacy concerns. In such cases, local backup comes to the rescue. WhatsApp automatically creates local copies of the database every day at 2 am, storing them in the internal memory of the device.
To perform the transfer manually, you will need a file manager. On your old smartphone, find the messenger data folder. In modern versions Android the path may look like Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases or WhatsApp/Databases at the root of the internal memory. You are interested in a file named msgstore.db.crypt14 (the number at the end may differ depending on the encryption version).
Copy this file to your computer or immediately transfer it to a new phone via Bluetooth, a USB cable, or fast file sharing (for example, Quick Share). On the new device, place the file in the same directory where it should be, but do not install the application until then.
⚠️ Warning: Do not rename the backup file if you are not sure about the extensions. WhatsApp looks for a file in a strictly defined format. If the name is changed, the application will not see the archive and will offer to create a new one, ignoring your old data.
After placing the file in the desired folder, install WhatsApp on the new phone. When you enter a phone number, the system will offer to restore the history from a local copy, and not from the cloud, as it will detect a database file in the internal memory. This method requires more accuracy, but gives full control over the process.
What to do if the file is not found?
In some Android shells (for example, MIUI or OneUI), access to the Android folder may be limited. Try using a third-party file manager with access rights or connect your phone to your PC in file transfer mode (MTP) to copy data directly through your computer.
Direct transfer during initial Android setup
Modern smartphones from Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel and other manufacturers have built-in utilities for data migration. These tools allow you to transfer all the contents of your old phone to a new one “over the air” or via a cable during the initial setup of the new device.
Functions like Smart Switch (Samsung) or Mi Mover (Xiaomi) can correctly transfer folders with application data, including WhatsApp. When using this method, you do not need to create separate backups. It is enough to launch the transfer application on both devices and follow the instructions on the screen.
However, there is an important caveat: after transferring data through the system utility, the first time you launch WhatsApp on a new phone, the application may still ask you to restore from a backup copy. This is fine. Just confirm the restoration, and the data will be pulled from the folder structure created by the migration utility.
| Transfer method | Required equipment | Working speed | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Disk | Wi-Fi, Google Account | Medium (depending on the Internet) | High |
| Local file | PC or USB cable | High | Medium (requires accuracy) |
| System migrator | Two phones side by side | Very high | High |
| Third-party software | PC, License Software | Average | Low (risk of errors) |
System migration tools (Smart Switch, Mi Mover) are the most convenient way for a complete move, as they transfer not only chats, but also the settings of the application itself.
Restoring data to a new one device
The recovery process is the final and most critical stage. Regardless of the chosen copying method, the recovery logic in the WhatsApp application is the same. After installing the application on a new smartphone and entering the phone number, the verification process will begin via SMS or a voice call.
As soon as the number is confirmed, the system will search for backup copies. Priority is always given to local files if they are found in the device memory. If there are no local files, the application will turn to Google Drive. You will see a message “Backup found” indicating the date and size of the archive.
Click the button Recover. Don't skip this step! If you click Skip, you won't be able to restore chats later without deleting the app and reinstalling it. The process of unpacking data can take from several minutes to an hour, depending on the amount of history and memory speed of the new phone.
- 📲 Make sure that the phone number on the new device matches the one on which the copy was made.
- ☁️ Check that the same account is entered on the new phone Google, as on the old one.
- 🔋 Do not lock the screen or minimize the application during the recovery process.
- 📶 Maintain a stable Wi-Fi connection if the recovery is from the cloud.
After the recovery is complete, text messages will appear first. Media files (photos, videos, voice messages) can be loaded in the background after you start using the messenger. This is the normal behavior of the system to speed up the initial startup.
Possible problems and solutions
Even if all instructions are followed, users may encounter technical failures. One common problem is incompatible database encryption versions. If you are upgrading from a very old Android to the latest model, the file format msgstore.db.crypt may be different.
In this case, WhatsApp on the new phone simply will not see the old backup. The solution is to update the application on your old phone to the latest version, create a new copy and try the transfer again. This converts the database into the current format.
⚠️ Attention: Settings interfaces and menu item names may vary slightly depending on the smartphone model and Android shell version. If you do not find the item you need, use the search in your phone settings.
Another common error is the message “The backup could not be restored.” This is often due to file corruption during copying or lack of space on the new phone's internal storage. Free up a few gigabytes of space and try copying the file again, making sure the integrity of the data.
If you used two-factor authentication, be sure to remember your PIN code. Without it, it will be impossible to restore access to your account on a new device, even if you have a backup copy. In some cases, the system may require you to wait 7 days to unlock it if the code is lost.
Why don’t media files arrive after recovery?
This is a feature of the messenger. The text database is restored instantly, and heavy files are loaded as needed or in the background. Open a chat with media files to initiate their download manually.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to transfer WhatsApp by changing your phone number?
Yes, it is possible, but the procedure is different from a simple transfer. On your old phone, before creating a backup, you must use the “Replace number” function in your WhatsApp account settings. This will link your chat history to the new number, and then you can restore it on the new device.
What to do if the backup is too old?
WhatsApp allows you to restore only the copy that it recognizes as current. If the file was created a long time ago or manually transferred from another version of the application, it may be incompatible. Try to find a more recent automatic copy in the Databases folder (files with dates in the name).
Will WhatsApp be deleted from the old phone after the transfer?
No, the application and data on the old device will remain intact. However, according to the messenger's security policy, one account cannot be active on two phones at the same time to receive messages. On the old phone, you will be able to read the history, but new messages will only arrive on the new device.
Are privacy settings and groups transferred?
Yes, when restoring from a full backup, not only messages are transferred, but also privacy settings, the list of groups you are a member of, and pinned chats. However, you will have to sign in again to your Google Drive or iCloud accounts if they were linked for specific functions.