Changing a smartphone is always an exciting process, associated not only with the joy of a new gadget, but also with concern for the safety of personal information. This issue is especially acute for users of the popular messenger Viber, where the history of many years of correspondence, important documents and valuable memories in the form of photographs are stored. Losing this array of data when moving from one device to Android another is extremely undesirable, and manual recovery is almost impossible without prior preparation.
Fortunately, the developers have provided several reliable ways to migrate a profile. You can use cloud storage Google Drive for automatic backup, or create a local copy of the database and transfer it manually through a file manager. The choice of a specific method depends on the volume of your history, the speed of your Internet connection and the availability of free space in the cloud.
In this article we will analyze both algorithms of actions in detail, paying special attention to technical nuances that are often overlooked. You will learn how to properly link your account, where to look for hidden backup files, and what to do if automatic recovery fails. Following the instructions will allow you to continue communication on the new device exactly where you left off on the old one.
Preparing the old device for migration
The first and most critical step is to properly prepare your current smartphone. Before you start creating a backup, make sure that the latest available version of the application is installed on your device Viber. Outdated software may contain errors that prevent the database from being correctly encrypted or uploaded to the cloud.
Next, you need to check the binding of your phone number. In the messenger settings, make sure that the exact number you plan to register with on the new device is indicated. Changing a number during the data transfer process is not allowed, since the backup copy is strictly tied to a specific account.
It is also worth paying attention to the state of the Internet connection. To upload a backup to the cloud, a stable communication channel is required, preferably via Wi-Fito avoid mobile traffic consumption and connection breaks when transferring large amounts of data. If you are planning a manual transfer, make sure you have enough free space on your internal storage.
⚠️ Note: The backup process may take from a few minutes to several hours depending on the size of your chat history. Do not close the application or lock the smartphone screen until a message about the successful completion of the operation appears.
☑️ Ready for transfer
Creating a backup via Google Drive
The most convenient and recommended way to save data is to use a cloud service Google Drive. This method is as automated as possible and requires minimal user intervention. To get started, open the messenger settings, go to the Account section and select Viber Backup.
In the menu that opens, you will be asked to select an account Googleto which the archive will be downloaded. It is important to use the same account that will be active on your new smartphone. After selecting the storage, click the Start backupbutton. The system will generate an encrypted file and send it to the cloud.
Please note that free storage Google is limited to 15 GB, which is divided between mail, photos and documents. If your chat history is very large and contains a lot of media files, there may not be enough space. In this case, before starting the procedure, free up space or delete unnecessary chats.
Before starting copying, go to Viber settings and disable auto-saving media to the gallery if you do not plan to transfer all photos. This will significantly reduce the size of the backup copy and speed up the process.
After the process is completed, the date and time of the last successful backup will be displayed in the same menu. Remember this data or take a screenshot to make sure that on the new phone you are restoring the latest version of the history, and not the old copy from a month ago.
Manually transferring a local database
If using the cloud is impossible due to lack of Internet or lack of space, you can use the method of manually transferring files. This method requires a deeper dive into the file system Android, but it is absolutely reliable and does not depend on third-party servers.
You will need to find the application data folder. In modern versions Android (starting from version 11), the path to the data has changed for security reasons. You need to follow the path Android/data/com.viber.voip/files/viber_backup. In older versions of the system, the folder may be located in the root of the internal storage at viber_backup.
Find a file with the type name viber_backup_[date].db or an archive with the extension .zip. Copy this file to your computer, flash drive, or send it to your new phone via Bluetooth Wi-Fi Direct or messenger (as a document). The main thing is to maintain the integrity of the file during transfer.
What to do if the Android/data folder is hidden?
On some smartphones, access to the Android/data folder is limited. In this case, connect the phone to the computer in file transfer mode (MTP) and use the file manager on the PC (for example, Windows Explorer) to gain full access to the directory and copy the necessary files.
On the new device, you need to do the opposite operation. Install Viberbut don't run it yet. Using a file manager, place the downloaded backup file in exactly the same directory where it was on your old phone. Only after this can you begin registration.
Data recovery on a new smartphone
The recovery process on a new device begins immediately after installing the application and entering the phone number. The system automatically detects the presence of a backup copy, whether in the cloud Google Drive or in the local memory of the device. You will be asked to restore your chat history - agree to this offer.
If you used the cloud method, make sure that on the new phone you are logged into the same account Googlethat was used for the backup. The messenger will download the archive, decrypt it and integrate it into the database. This process may take time, during which the application may appear frozen - this is normal behavior.
With local recovery Viber scans the internal memory for backup files. If the file is found and its checksum matches the expected one, the import will begin. If unsuccessful, the system will prompt you to try again or skip this step.
| Parameter | Google Drive (Cloud) | Local file (Manual) | Third-party apps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | Depends on the Internet | High (locally) | Average |
| Reliability | High | Very high | Average |
| Complexity | Minimum | Requires skills | Variable |
| Network dependence | Required | Not required | Often required |
It is critically important not to start actively using the messenger on a new phone until the recovery process is completed. New incoming messages may overwrite the database being restored.
Solving common problems and errors
Despite the smooth procedure, users sometimes encounter difficulties. One of the most common problems is the message “Backup not found.” Most often, this happens due to the fact that a different account is active on the new device Google, different from the one on which the backup was made.
Another common error is related to version incompatibility Android. If you are migrating from a very old system to a newer one (or vice versa), the file path structure may be different. In this case, manual transfer requires careful checking of directories via a computer.
It is also worth mentioning the problem with encrypted chats. If you have used the secret chats feature in Viber, remember that they is not transferred are backed up as standard for security reasons. This data is stored only on a specific device and cannot be exported.
⚠️ Attention: Never try to restore a backup created on an iPhone (iOS) to an Android device using standard means. Database formats vary, and direct recovery is impossible without the use of special paid converters.
Tips for data optimization and security
After successful data transfer, it is recommended to immediately set up automatic backup on the new device. This will save you from having to repeat complex manipulations in the future when you next change your gadget. Go to the settings and set the backup frequency, for example, “Weekly.”
For additional security, enable two-factor authentication in the privacy settings Viber. This will add a layer of protection to your account by requiring you to enter a special PIN code entry when trying to log in from a new device, even if an attacker gains access to your SIM card.
Regularly check the contents of your cloud storage. Make sure that the backup files are actually updated and take up adequate space. Sometimes synchronization failures occur and the file remains old, which can be an unpleasant surprise at a critical moment.
Use the “Clear cache” function in the phone settings after transferring data. Temporary files left over from the migration process can take up several gigabytes of space and slow down the system.
Remember that technological progress does not stand still, and application interfaces may change. If you do not find any button or menu, use the search inside the phone settings or refer to the official help of the developer, since the location of the elements may differ depending on the firmware version of your smartphone.
What to do if the recovery is stuck at 99%?
If the recovery process freezes at the final stage, most often this indicates damage to the backup file or lack of RAM. Try rebooting your smartphone and starting the process again. If the problem persists, uninstall the application, clear the cache, and try restoring an earlier copy, if available.
Can only selected chats be transferred?
Using standard means Viber selective transfer of chats is not possible. A backup always affects the entire database. If you need messages from a specific conversation, the easiest way is to take screenshots or export the conversation history to a text file through the chat menu itself before changing the phone.
How long is the backup copy stored in Google Drive?
Backups in Google Drive are stored until you delete them manually or until Google's retention policy expires (usually copies older than 1 year can be deleted if there have been no new updates). However, if you have an active account and regular updates, the data is saved indefinitely within your quota.
Do you need to delete Viber from your old phone before transferring?
No, you don’t need to delete the application from your old device and it’s not even recommended until you are completely sure that the messenger is working on the new phone. Having the application on your old device will allow you to check your correspondence history and make sure that not a single message is lost.