Changing a smartphone is always an exciting process, associated not only with the joy of a new gadget, but also with the need to transfer all important data. For many users, messenger Viber serves not just as a means of communication, but as a real digital library, storing years of correspondence, photographs and important documents. Losing this information when switching to a new device can be a serious blow, so the issue of creating a reliable copy arises especially acute.
The operating system Android offers flexible tools for backing up data, however, the process of transferring chats from Viber has its own technical nuances that must be taken into account in advance. Unlike simple contacts or a photo gallery, the history of messenger messages is stored in a specific database that requires correct export and subsequent import in a new environment. The wrong sequence of actions can lead to the fact that you receive a clean application without a single message.
In this guide we will analyze in detail all the stages of preparing, creating a backup and restoring it to new device. You'll learn how to avoid common mistakes related to Google permissions and accounts, and understand why some copying methods work better than others. Follow the instructions step by step to ensure that your digital history is preserved.
Preparing your Google account and storage settings
The first and most critical stage is setting up cloud storage, since it is through services Google that the main data exchange takes place between devices based on Android. Make sure that you are logged into the same account on your old phone Googlethat you plan to use on your new device. If you use different mailboxes, automatic backup transfer will become impossible without complex file manipulations.
Pay attention to the available space in your Google Drive. The backup copy Viber, especially if there are a lot of media files in chats, can take up a significant amount of memory. If you run out of space while creating a backup, the process will be interrupted and the file may be damaged or incomplete. It is recommended to have a reserve of free space at least 1.5–2 times larger than the current amount of space occupied by the messenger.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting the procedure, be sure to check whether synchronization is enabled for
Google Drivein your phone settings. Sometimes the system automatically disables synchronization to save traffic or battery power, which blocks the creation of a cloud copy.
It is also worth checking the application version Viber. Developers are constantly updating encryption protocols and database structures. Using an outdated version of the messenger on one of the devices may lead to incompatible file formats during recovery. Go to Play Market and make sure that you have the latest available software version installed.
Before creating a copy, connect your phone to a Wi-Fi network. Loading large amounts of data via the mobile data may be paid or unstable, which will lead to an error when uploading the archive to the cloud.
Step-by-step guide for creating a backup
The process of creating a backup within the application itself Viber intuitive, but hidden in the depths of the settings, where users rarely go. To get started, open the messenger and go to the menu, which is usually indicated by three dots in the upper right corner of the screen. From the drop-down list, select Settings, and then find the section Account.
Inside the account section you will find an option Viber backup. Clicking on it will take you to the archive management menu. Here the system will show the date of the last save and the amount of space occupied. If this is your first time doing this or a lot of time has passed, click the Create a backupbutton. The application will begin packing all text messages, stickers and settings into a single file.
- 📱 Make sure that the phone screen does not go dark during the process, as some models Android may pause background tasks when blocked.
- ☁️ Wait until the message “Backup completed” appears indicating the current date and time.
- 🔋 Do not launch other heavy applications at this moment, so as not to overload the processor and RAM of the device.
After the creation of a local copy is completed, the application will offer to download it to cloud. Confirm this action by selecting your account Google. The download process depends on the speed of your Internet connection and the size of the archive. During this time, you can continue to use the phone, but it is recommended not to close the application Viber completely until you receive a success notification.
☑️ Checklist before transfer
Transferring data to a new Android smartphone
When you pick up a new phone, the first thing you need to do is perform the initial system setup and log in to the same account Googlethat was used on the old device. This is a fundamental requirement, without which Google Drive your backup will not be seen. Only after successful authorization and synchronization of basic services can you begin to install the messenger.
Download and install Viber from the official application store Play Market. When you first launch the application, you will be asked for a phone number. It is critical to enter the same number to which the backup was registered. Using a different number will make it impossible to restore old chats, since encryption keys are tied to a specific account.
After entering the number and receiving SMS code confirmation, the system will automatically detect the presence of a backup copy in the cloud. A message will appear on the screen asking you to restore your message history from Google Drive. Press the button Recover or Yes. If you skip this step and click "Skip", it will be extremely difficult to recover data later without reinstalling the application.
⚠️ Attention: Recovery interfaces may vary slightly depending on the version Android and shell of the manufacturer (for example, MIUI or OneUI). If the recovery prompt does not appear immediately, wait a few minutes while background services finish indexing files on the disk.
The recovery process can take from several minutes to an hour, depending on the volume of data. At this time, a progress bar or message about loading media files may be displayed on the screen. Do not close the application or turn off the phone until the operation is complete. After this, all your chats, groups and settings should appear in their original form.
Manual transfer through a file manager
Sometimes automatic cloud copying is not available due to lack of Internet or account problems Google. In such cases, the manual method of transferring files through local storage comes to the rescue. This method requires access to the file system of both phones and, preferably, the use of a computer or OTG cable to transfer data.
On the old phone, use the file manager to find the data folder Viber. The path to it usually looks like /sdcard/Viber or /storage/emulated/0/Viber. Inside this directory there are many subfolders, but the most important for us is ViberBackups. This is where files with the extension .vbkcontaining your correspondence history are stored.
Copy the entire folder Viber or just the latest backup file to your computer or directly to the internal memory of your new smartphone. When transferring manually, it is important to maintain the exact directory structure. On the new phone, the file should be in the same path: /sdcard/Viber/ViberBackups. If the folder does not exist, create it manually before copying.
| Data type | Memory location | Importance for transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Chat history | Viber/ViberBackups |
Critical |
| Media files (photos) | Viber/Media |
High |
| Stickers and cache | Viber/Stickers |
Low (downloaded again) |
| Profile settings | Viber server | Automatic |
After the files have been copied, install Viber on a new phone, enter the number and wait until the code is verified. The application will automatically scan your local storage and detect manual backups. You will be asked if you want to recover data from the found file. Agree, and the process will go the same as with cloud recovery.
What to do if the file is not found?
If the application does not see the manual backup, check the access rights. On modern versions of Android (11 and higher), access to the folder may be limited. Try placing the backup file in the root folder Android/data may be limited. Try placing the backup file in the root folder Viber, and not in the system directories, or use a third-party file manager with extended rights.
Possible problems and solutions
Despite the well-functioning procedure, users often encounter technical failures. One of the most common problems is the message "Backup not found" even after a successful upload to the cloud. This is often due to account desync: make sure that in the phone settings and in the application Google Drive you are logged in with the same email address.
Another common mistake is interrupting the recovery in the middle of the process. This may happen due to an unstable Wi-Fi connection or low RAM on your new device. Try restarting your phone, clearing the application cache Viber through the system settings and try again. Also make sure that there is enough free space on the new phone to unpack the archive.
- 🔄 If the recovery is stuck, try deleting the application, restarting the smartphone and installing Viber again.
- 🔐 Check two-factor authentication: sometimes it blocks access to data when changing devices.
- 📂 When transferring manually, make sure that the name of the backup file has not been changed by the user.
In rare cases, the problem lies in version incompatibility Android. If you are migrating from a very old version of the system to the latest (or vice versa), the structure of file permissions may differ. In such a situation, using an official data transfer tool from the smartphone manufacturer (for example Smart Switch for Samsung or MI Mover for Xiaomi) may be more effective than manual copying.
⚠️ Attention: Never attempt to edit backup files with extension
.vbkmanually. Damage to the file structure will result in the application not being able to decrypt it, and the data will be lost forever.
The main reason for transfer failures is a mismatch between the phone number or Google account. Always double-check this data before starting the recovery process.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to restore correspondence if I changed my phone number?
Unfortunately, no. The backup copy Viber is strictly tied to the phone number for which it was created. If you change your number, you need to first restore a copy on the old number (if the SIM card is still active), and then use the change number function inside the app settings to transfer the history to the new number. Direct restoration to a new number without the old one is impossible.
How long is a backup copy stored in Google Drive?
Backups Viber in Google Drive are stored indefinitely until you delete them manually or delete the Google account itself. However, if you don't make new copies within 12 months, Google may delete old archives to free up space, although this rarely happens in practice. It is recommended to update your backup at least once every few months.
Are hidden chats transferred during restoration?
Yes, hidden chats are transferred along with the main chat history, but they will remain hidden after restoration. To see them, you will need to go to settings again Privacy and enter your PIN code for hidden chats. Without this code, you will not be able to access them.
What to do if the new phone has a different version of Android?
Different versions Android usually are not an obstacle to data transfer Vibersince the database format is universal. Problems can only arise when switching from very old versions (below Android 5.0) to modern ones, but in this case the application itself may not install. In other cases, the system automatically adapts the data.
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 make sure that all the data on the new phone has been restored correctly. You can use the messenger on both devices for a while, but remember that messages sent after the last backup were created will not automatically get to the new phone.