Before deleting or moving Viber folders, be sure to create a backup copy through the settings of the application itself so as not to lose your correspondence history forever.
Users of smartphones based on Android often face the need to find specific media files received through a popular messenger. Whether it's an important photo you need to send to a colleague or a video that needs editing, knowing the physical structure of your data storage becomes a critical skill. Standard galleries do not always display all content correctly, especially if the files have been hidden or moved by the system. Searching for directories has become more difficult after updating the security policy in version
Directory search Viber became more complicated after updating the security policy Google in version Android 11 and higher. The company has implemented a mechanism Scoped Storagethat limits access of applications and users to shared folders, forcing instant messengers to store data in protected system directories. This change is aimed at protecting privacy, but creates inconvenience for those who are used to managing files through the classic Explorer.
In this article, we will analyze in detail the current data paths, explain the difference between media files and databases, and also look at ways to bypass restrictions for accessing hidden folders. You'll learn how to find chat backups and why some files may not be visible to standard gallery apps.
The evolution of data storage and new limitations of Android
Previously, finding media files was extremely simple: you just had to go to the root of the internal memory and open the folder with the name of the application. However, modern versions of the operating system Android have radically changed this approach. Now the main application data, including Viber, is by default saved in the directory Android/data, access to which is limited without granting special permissions.
Such separation is necessary in order to prevent chaotic filling of the root directory and protect user data from accidental deletion by third-party cleaning utilities. If you are using a device with an OS version lower than 11, the structure may look different, but for most modern smartphones the new rules are relevant Scoped Storage.
⚠️ Attention: When manually deleting files from system folders
Android/datayou may disrupt the operation of the application or lose access to encrypted databases. Proceed with caution!
The system automatically hides some directories from standard file managers so that the average user cannot accidentally damage critical configurations. Full access often requires the use of advanced explorers, such as Files by Google, Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer, which can request special rights to view protected areas.
Current paths to media files on modern versions of Android
If your smartphone is running Android 11, Android 12 or newer versions, the main messenger data has moved deeper into the system hierarchy. To get to photos and videos, you will need to go through the following route through the file manager:
/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.viber.voip/files/Viber/mediaThis directory stores all received and sent images, videos, and voice messages. Structure inside the folder media usually divided by content type or date, making it easier to navigate when there is a large amount of data. Please note that the folder com.viber.voip is the system identifier of the application and its name cannot be changed.
Access to this area may be blocked by the standard file explorer of your smartphone. In this case, the system will prompt you to go to the storage settings and manually allow access to a specific folder Android/data. This is a one-time action, after which you will be able to freely view and copy files.
- 📁 The folder
Imagescontains all received photos in original quality. - 🎥 The directory
Videostores videos, which often take up the largest amount of memory. - 🎙️ Files
Audioinclude both voice messages and transferred music tracks.
It is important to understand that files deleted from the chat in the application itself Vibermay remain in this folder until you clear them manually or use cache clear function. This is useful if you accidentally deleted an important photo from a correspondence, but it has not yet been overwritten by the system.
On Android 11+, the main path to files has shifted to /Android/data/, which requires granting special permissions to the file manager to view the contents.
Folder structure on older versions of the operating system
For devices running on Android 10 and below, the data storage logic was simpler and more intuitive for the user. In these versions, there was no strict differentiation of access rights to shared folders, so messengers created their directories directly in the root of the internal drive.
Users of such smartphones just need to open the file manager and find a folder with the name Viber at the very beginning of the list of directories. Inside it there was a subfolder Viber Images or Viber Videos, where the corresponding media files were stored. This method is still relevant for budget devices that have not received updates to new OS versions.
| File type | Location (Android 10-) | Location (Android 11+) |
|---|---|---|
| Photos | /Viber/Viber Images | /Android/data/com.viber.voip/files/Viber/media |
| Video | /Viber/Viber Videos | /Android/data/com.viber.voip/files/Viber/media |
| Audio/Voice | /Viber/Viber Audio | /Android/data/com.viber.voip/files/Viber/media |
| Stickers | /Viber/.stickers | /Android/data/com.viber.voip/files/Viber/.stickers |
Despite the ease of access, this structure had its drawbacks. Any application with storage rights could theoretically access your personal photos from Viberwhich created certain security risks. That is why Google he revised the file system architecture in subsequent updates.
If you switched from an old smartphone to a new one, you will notice that the familiar folder has completely disappeared. Don’t panic, your data is not lost - it was simply automatically moved by the system to a new protected area when you first launched the messenger on the updated OS.
Search and restore chat backups
In addition to media files, correspondence databases are a critical element. They contain the text of messages, call history and contact settings. Viber regularly creates local backups, which are stored in a separate directory, different from the media folder.
To access backups on modern devices, follow the path:
/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.viber.voip/files/Viber/backupsBackup files usually have an extension .vbk or .zip and contain the creation date in the name. It is important to note that these files are encrypted and tied to a specific account and device. Simply copying them to another phone and opening them will not work without the recovery procedure through the settings of the application itself.
⚠️ Attention: Backup files from the folder
backupscannot be edited manually. An attempt to change the structure of a file will damage it and make it impossible to recover data.
If you are planning to change your smartphone, these are the files you need to transfer first. The recovery process is as follows: install Viber on a new device, log in to your account, and when you first launch the application, it will automatically offer to find and restore a local copy if it is found in memory.
What to do if the backups folder is empty?
If the folder is empty, it means that automatic creation of local copies has been disabled in application settings. In this case, check the availability of a backup copy in Google Drive if you have previously set up a cloud backup.
Hidden files and technical application data
In the application directory you can also find folders and files whose names begin with a dot, for example .stickers or .thumbnails. In the file system Linuxon which Androidis based, such a prefix means that the object is hidden. Standard explorers often do not display them by default.
To see these elements, you need to go to the settings of your file manager and activate the “Show hidden files” item. The folder .stickers stores downloaded sets of stickers that you use in correspondence. They can take up a significant amount of memory, especially if you actively use different sets.
- 👁️ Hidden folders often contain cached thumbnails to speed up loading of the gallery.
- 🗑️ Deleting the contents of a folder
.thumbnailsis safe, but will slow down the opening of the media the first time times. - 🔒 System logs and temporary files can also be hidden from prying eyes.
Cleaning hidden folders can be useful if the application is unstable or takes up too much space. However, only delete the contents of the cache, avoiding deleting configuration files, otherwise you will have to reconfigure notifications and privacy settings.
Memory management and clearing unnecessary data
Folders over time Viber can grow to several gigabytes, filling up the internal memory of the smartphone. The most effective way to free up space is to use the built-in storage management tools of the messenger itself, rather than deleting files manually through Explorer.
Go to the application settings, select the section Memory or Storage. There you will see detailed statistics: how much space photos, videos, audio and documents take up. The system will allow you to clear the cache or delete media files for a certain period of time, for example, “over 3 months.”
Manual deletion through a file manager is advisable only in cases where you need to save specific files to a computer or external memory card before cleaning. When you delete files directly from the folder media, they will also disappear from the chat interface, since the application will lose the link to them.
☑️ Correctly clearing Viber memory
⚠️ Attention: Interface and the location of the settings may vary slightly depending on the version of the Viber application and your smartphone model. Always check the current menu on your device.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why don’t I see the Viber folder in the root of the internal memory?
Most likely, you have installed version Android 11 or higher. Starting with this version, the system has moved all application data to a protected folder Android/data for security purposes. Look for files along the path /Android/data/com.viber.voip/files/.
Is it possible to transfer a folder from Viber photos to a memory card?
Directly change the save path in the settings Viber not possible due to system limitations. However, you can manually move files from the application folder to the SD card through the file manager. New files will continue to be saved in the internal memory.
Where are voice messages from Viber stored?
Voice messages are in the same folder mediaas photos and videos. Usually they are located in a subfolder Audio or have an extension .ogg / .m4a. To listen outside the application, use any standard audio player.
How to recover deleted photos if they are not in the trash?
If a photo is deleted from the chat and gallery trash, the only chance is to find it in a local backup (.vbk) or in the cache folder if the file has not yet been overwritten by the system. Also check cloud services if synchronization has been enabled.
Does the .stickers folder take up a lot of space?
Yes, sticker sets can take from 50 MB to several hundred megabytes, depending on their quantity and graphics quality. If the space is critically low, you can clear the sticker cache, but they will be downloaded again the next time you use them.