Deleting important correspondence or valuable photos in the messenger Viber is a situation faced by many users of smartphones based on Android. This often happens accidentally, when clearing memory, or due to an application failure. A logical question arises: is there a way to recover lost data without complex manipulations with root access and third-party software?
The answer depends on whether you have previously configured the function backup. If you regularly create backups in cloud storage Google Drive, the chances of success are almost one hundred percent. However, if archiving has not been carried out for years or has been disabled altogether, the recovery process becomes much more complicated and requires non-standard approaches.
In this article we will analyze in detail all available methods for returning information, from standard messenger tools to using local database files. You will learn how to properly configure the system to avoid data loss in the future, and what pitfalls may be encountered on the recovery path.
Principles of backup in Viber
The mechanism for saving chat history in Viber on the platform Android is based on integration with services Google. Unlike iOS, where it is used iCloud, here all data is packed into an encrypted archive and sent to your virtual disk. It's important to understand that the app itself doesn't store your messages on its servers forever; the main load falls on the user's personal cloud space.
The process of creating a copy occurs automatically if certain conditions are met, which can be adjusted in the settings. By default, the system can try to make backups daily, but only if the phone is connected to a Wi-Fi network and is charging. This is done to save mobile traffic and battery power on your device.
The key element here is account linking. You must log into the same profile Google both in the phone settings and in the settings of the messenger itself. If the accounts are different, synchronization simply will not happen, and the backup file will remain "lost" in someone else's cloud.
It is worth noting that data encryption is carried out on the client side. This means that even technical support staff Viber cannot read your correspondence or restore it manually at your request. All responsibility for the safety of access keys and files lies solely with the owner of the smartphone.
⚠️ Attention: The backup copy takes up space in your storage Google Drive. If you run out of free space (the free limit is usually 15 GB), the creation of new archives will automatically stop. Regularly check the storage status in your phone settings.
Enable backup notification to always know when your data was last saved. This can be done in the “Account” -> “Backup” section.
Checking the presence and relevance of the archive
Before taking radical actions, such as reinstalling the application, you need to make sure that a fresh recovery file exists. Having an old copy created six months ago will not help bring back messages deleted yesterday. You need to find the date of the last successful backup.
To do this, open the messenger and go to the settings menu. The path usually looks like this: click on the More button in the lower right corner, then select Settings. In the list that opens, find the section Account and tap on it.
Inside this menu there will be an item Viber backup. By clicking on it, you will see detailed statistics: the date of the last save, the file size and the name of the account Googleto which it is linked. If the date suits you, you can proceed to the recovery procedure. If there is no archive or it is too old, the situation requires additional analysis.
Sometimes users are faced with the fact that the backup button is inactive or gives an error. This often indicates problems with the application's access rights to the storage or a lack of Internet connection. Make sure that Viber have permission to access files and media in system settings Android.
Data recovery by reinstalling the application
This is the most reliable and official way to get back deleted messages if you have a current backup. The essence of the method is to completely remove the application and then cleanly install it. During the initial setup process, the system will detect the archive in the cloud and offer to deploy it.
Before starting the procedure, make sure that you remember the phone number associated with your account and have access to the SIM card to receive SMS code confirmation. Without this step, you will not be able to log into your account. Also check the stability of your Internet connection, as the download process may take time depending on the amount of data.
Follow the following steps sequentially:
- 📱 Completely remove the application Viber from your device through settings or by holding the icon on the desktop.
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone to clear RAM and end all background processes.
- 📥 Go to the store Google Play and download the latest version of the messenger.
- 🔢 Launch the application, enter your phone number and wait for the activation code.
Immediately after entering the code and confirming your identity, the system will scan Google Drive. If a backup file is found, a window will appear on the screen asking you to restore your chat history. Critical click the "Restore" button at this point.
If you click "Skip" or close this window, the ability to automatically restore will be lost until the next time. When you log in again, the application will decide that you want to start from scratch, and old messages will not be pulled up. In this case, you will have to delete the application again and repeat the procedure.
☑️ Preparing for recovery
⚠️ Attention: All messages received between the backup creation date and the current moment will be irretrievably lost during restoration. The system will roll back the state of the chats exactly to the moment when the archive was created.
Using local database files
What to do if there is no cloud backup or it is too old? In this case, you can try to find a local copy of the database, which is stored directly in the phone's memory. Viber periodically creates such files automatically, even if synchronization with the cloud is disabled.
To access these files you will need a file manager. A standard Explorer may not be enough if it does not show system folders, so it is recommended to use advanced tools like FX File Explorer or Total Commander. You need to find the directory where the messenger data is stored.
Usually the path to the files looks like this: Internal memory/viber/backups. In some versions Android the path may be hidden deeper: Android/data/com.viber.voip/files/backups. Look for files with the extension .vbk or .db. The file name often contains the creation date in the YYYYMMDD format.
Once you find a suitable file, copy it to a safe place, for example, to a computer or another folder. Then delete the application Viber, install it again, but do not run immediately. You need to manually replace the empty database file that was created during the first installation with your saved copy with the desired date.
The subtleties of working with local files
If you simply rename the file, the system may not recognize it. Sometimes you need to change the name of the backup file to the standard one that the application expects when starting, for example, "viber_backup.vbk".
This method requires some technical literacy and caution. Replacing files incorrectly may cause the application to stop launching or function incorrectly. Always make a copy of current (even empty) files before replacing them so that you can roll back changes.
Third-party data recovery apps
There are many utilities on the market that promise to recover deleted messages without a backup. apps like Dr.Fone, Tenorshare UltData or FonePaw scan the phone's internal memory in search of deleted but not yet overwritten data sectors.
The effectiveness of such methods varies greatly. If a lot of time has passed since the deletion and you have been actively using the phone (taking photos, installing applications), the probability of success tends to zero. New data physically overwrites old memory sectors, making recovery impossible.
In addition, using third-party software carries security risks. Giving a app full access to the file system may leak personal data. Most effective tools are paid, and often require root access (superuser rights) for deep scanning.
| Recovery method | Necessity of root access | Probability of success | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Via Google Drive | No | High (if there is a backup) | Loss of new ones messages |
| Local file (.vbk) | Desirable | Medium | High (in case of error) |
| Third-party software | Often required | Low | Medium |
| Call for support | No | Zero | None |
The use of such software should be considered as a last resort when other methods have been exhausted. Before purchasing a license, be sure to use the free trial version so that the app scans the device and shows whether it has found any traces of deleted messages at all.
The chances of data recovery using third-party software without root access is extremely low due to the security limitations of modern versions of Android.
Setting up automatic saving for the future
In order to no longer encounter the problem of losing correspondence, you need to properly configure the backup system immediately after data recovery. This will take a couple of minutes, but will save you a lot of hassle in the future. Do not rely on memory, it is better to trust this process to automation.
Go to settings Viber and select item Account, then Viber backup. Here you will see an option Frequency. Select the "Daily" option. This will ensure a minimum gap between possible data loss and the last saved version.
Also pay attention to the switch Only via Wi-Fi. If you have unlimited mobile data, this option can be disabled so that backups are created even on the road. However, for most users it is better to leave it enabled so as not to waste precious traffic.
Remember to periodically check the copy status. Sometimes, due to system updates or changes in Google account passwords, the process may stop. Once a month, go to this section and make sure that the date of the last backup is up to date.
⚠️ Attention: The application interface and menu layout may vary slightly depending on the version Viber and model of your smartphone. If you do not find the item you need, use the search inside the phone settings or refer to the developer help.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I recover messages if I have changed my phone number?
Yes, it is possible, but only if you first restore data on the old number and then use the change number function inside the application. When you change your number, your entire chat history is transferred to the new account. If you simply register for a new number without transferring, the history will remain on the old one.
Will deleted photos and videos from chats be restored?
Yes, if they were in the chat at the time the backup was created. However, it is worth considering that media files take up a lot of space. If the "Do not include media" option was selected in the backup settings, then only text messages will be restored.
What to do if the "Restore" button does not appear during installation?
Make sure that you are logged into the same Google account to which the copy was made. Also check if the application Google Drive is installed and updated. Sometimes clearing the Google Play service cache before installation helps. Viber.
Is it possible to read a backup copy on a computer?
No, the backup file is encrypted and has a specific format. It cannot simply be opened with a text editor or viewed as an archive. Reading is only possible through the recovery process within the application itself Viber on the mobile device.
Will recovery delete current new messages?
Yes. The restore process replaces the current database with the one that was in the archive. All messages received after the backup creation date will be deleted. Therefore, before restoring, it is recommended to make a manual copy of important new dialogues, for example, by sending them to yourself by email.