Changing a smartphone is always an exciting process associated with the risk of losing important information. This is especially true for messengers that store the history of business negotiations and personal communications. Transferring chat history WhatsApp between devices based on Android has become much easier in recent years, but still requires attention to detail. Errors at the preparation stage can lead to the fact that many years of correspondence will disappear forever.
The main difficulty lies not in the process of installing the application itself, but in the correct transfer of the database of messages and media files. The system Android uses different mechanisms to store this data: cloud storage Google Drive and local device memory. Understanding which method is right for your situation is the key to a successful migration.
In this article, we will look at both recovery methods in detail. You will learn how to set up automatic synchronization on your old phone and how to properly activate it on your new one. Complex cases will also be considered when the standard method does not work and manual intervention through the file manager will be required.
Preparing the old device for data transfer
Before starting the process of changing the phone, it is critical to make sure that the current one is created on the old device backup copy. Without this step, any actions on the new gadget will be meaningless, since the messenger servers simply will have nothing to restore. The process of creating a backup takes time, depending on the volume of accumulated media files.
Go to the application settings and select the section Chats → Chat backup. Here you will see the date and time of the last save. If you are not satisfied with it, press the button Backup manually. Make sure you are connected to the network Wi-Fias transferring gigabytes of photos and videos over the mobile data may be expensive or too slow.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that your account Google has enough free space in the cloud storage. If the limit is reached, a fresh copy of chats will not be saved, and you will lose the data accumulated since the previous backup.
Also check whether the correct account is linked Google in the phone settings. Often users have multiple mailboxes, and the backup might have been saved to one that you don't have access to on your new device. The backup section should indicate exactly the address under which you plan to log in on the new phone.
Recovery via Google Drive: standard method
This is the most reliable method of data migration recommended by developers. It minimizes the risk of human error, since the system will automatically pull the necessary files from the cloud upon first activation. The main condition is to use the same phone number and one Google account.
Insert SIM card to the new phone and make sure that the device has access to the Internet. Install the application WhatsApp from the store Play Marketbut do not open it yet. First, go to your phone settings and add the same account Googlethat was used on the old device to create a backup.
Launch the messenger and go through the number verification process. Once the code is entered correctly, the system will detect an available cloud backup. You will be asked to restore your chat and media history. Press the button Restore.
- 📲 The process may take from several minutes to several hours depending on the Internet speed.
- ☁️ Do not interrupt the connection to the network until the download is complete.
- 🔋 Keep the phone connected to the charger, so that the battery does not run out at a critical moment.
After the basic recovery is completed, the application will begin loading media files in the background. You'll be able to use chats right away, but old photos and videos may take a while to appear as they download. This is normal system behavior to optimize performance.
If the recovery is stuck at the "Preparing" stage, try restarting the phone and starting the application again without deleting it. This often solves the problem of a frozen synchronization process.
Local transfer: working with database files
Sometimes the cloud method is not available due to network problems or lack of space on Google Drive. In such cases, local copying comes to the rescue. This method requires a deeper dive into the file system Android, but allows you to transfer data even without the Internet.
On your old phone, use the file manager to find the folder with the database. The path to it may differ depending on the operating system version. On new versions Android 11 and higher, the path looks like Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases, on older versions - WhatsApp/Databases in the root of the internal memory.
You need a file named msgstore.db.crypt14 (the number at the end may differ, for example, crypt12 or crypt15, this is the encryption version number). Copy this file to your computer or transfer it to a new phone via Bluetooth or cable.
| Encryption version | Android version | File location | Access difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| crypt14 / crypt15 | Android 11+ | Android/media/com.whatsapp | Medium |
| crypt12 / crypt13 | Android 10 and below | WhatsApp/Databases | Low |
| crypt8 - crypt11 | Old versions | WhatsApp/Databases | Low |
| Unknown | Any | Check in settings | High |
Install WhatsAppon the new phone, but do not run it. First, manually create a folder with a similar structure where you will place the copied database file. It is important that the file name is accurate msgstore.db.cryptXX, without adding dates to the name, if you want to restore exactly the latest version.
⚠️ Attention: When using the local method, be sure to delete the WhatsApp application from the new phone if you managed to open it and create an empty database. Otherwise, the old local copy may be overwritten with an empty file.
☑️ Check before local transfer
Transferring data via cable (Quick Switch)
Modern smartphones from Samsung, Xiaomi and other manufacturers offer their own utilities for migration data, which often works faster and more reliably than standard tools Android. For example, Samsung Smart Switch or MI Mover can transfer history WhatsApp directly via cable USB-C.
This method is good because it transfers not only text messages, but also all application settings, including pinned chats and archiving exceptions. Connect both phones with a cable (sometimes an adapter is required), run the proprietary utility on both devices and select the category Applications.
The system will warn that to complete the transfer of messenger data you will need to open WhatsApp on the new device and scan QR code, which will appear on the screen of the old phone. This process initiates the creation of a special encrypted tunnel for data transfer.
The advantage of this approach is speed: transmission via cable does not depend on the quality of the wireless network. However, make sure that both devices have the same or compatible versions of the operating system installed to avoid conflicts when reading databases.
What to do if the cable does not fit?
If you do not have the correct cable to connect two different brands (for example, Samsung and Pixel), use the "Wireless Transfer" function in the same utilities. This will be slower, but will not require physical adapters.
Problem solving: the copy was not found or cannot be restored
The most common error is the message “Backup not found.” This happens when the account Google on the new phone does not match the one on which the backup was made. Check your phone settings in the Accounts section and make sure that the desired mail is active and synchronized.
Another common problem is a phone number mismatch. Chat history is strictly tied to the number to which it was registered. If you have changed your SIM card and number, it is impossible to restore old correspondence to a new number using standard means without complex manipulations with changing the number inside the application on the old phone before transferring.
It is also worth checking the version of the application. If your old phone had a beta version WhatsApp, and you installed a stable version from the store on the new one, the database formats may not match. In this case, try installing the same version APKthat was on the old device, restore the data, and then update.
- 🔍 Check for a copy file in the Google Drive folder through the browser.
- 📱 Make sure that the new phone has enough free memory to unpack the archive.
- 🔄 Try clearing the cache of the Google Play Services application.
⚠️ Warning: Never try to decrypt the database file manually on your computer. The files have a .crypt extension and are protected by a key stored in the system partition of the phone. Without root access and specific keys, this is impossible, and attempts to change the file will lead to its damage.
The main rule of recovery: The phone number and Google account on the new device must completely match those used when creating a backup copy on the old device.
Frequently asked questions and answers (FAQ)
Is it possible to restore correspondence if I have forgotten the password for my Google account?
Unfortunately, no. Without access to the account Googleon which the backup file is stored in the cloud, it is impossible to restore data through the standard interface. You will have to first restore access to your email through Google Support.
Will my privacy settings and blocked contacts be transferred?
Yes, when restoring from a full backup (especially a local or cable backup), almost all settings will be transferred, including the list of blocked numbers, privacy settings and wallpaper for individual chats.
What what happens if I restore the copy and then receive new messages on the old phone?
Messages received on the old phone after the backup was created will not appear on the new device automatically. You will have to create a new copy on the old phone and go through the recovery process again on the new one, which will overwrite the current data.
How to transfer WhatsApp if I change my region of residence and phone number?
Use the "Change number" function in the settings WhatsApp on your old phone before creating a backup. This will allow you to link your entire chat history to the new number, and then you can restore it on a new device with a new SIM card.
How long is the backup copy stored in Google Drive?
The backup copy is stored until you delete it manually or stop using the account for more than a year. However, for recovery, it is the latest available version that is important, so regularly updating the backup is critical.