Backups Viber to Android are a lifeline for your correspondence, media files and contacts. But what to do if the messenger suddenly resets, your phone breaks down, or you accidentally delete important messages? The first thing that comes to mind is to restore data from a backup. Just where exactly Viber stores backups on devices controlled by Android?

Unlike WhatsAppwhere backups are in the cloud Google Drive, Viber by default it saves backups locally —directly on your smartphone. This means files take up storage space, but also give you more control: they can be copied to your PC, transferred to another phone, or even restored after a factory reset. However, the path to these files is not always obvious, and the backup process itself has nuances that many are not aware of.

In this article we will look at:

  • 📁 Where exactly are Viber backups stored on Android (paths to folders for different versions of the application).
  • 🔍 How to find and view backups manually - even if the messenger does not show them in the interface.
  • 📱 How to copy backups to a computer or another phone so as not to lose data when reinstalling.
  • ⚙️ Why Viber may not create backups automatically and how to fix it.

And you will also find out whether it is possible to restore messages if there are no backups, and what to do if the messenger “does not see” the saved copies. Let's start with the most important thing - where to look for files.

1. The standard location of Viber backups on Android

Default Viber saves backups in a hidden folder on the device’s internal memory. The path depends on the version of the application and the operating system, but in 90% of cases it looks like this:

/storage/emulated/0/Android/media/com.viber.voip/documents/

Or an alternative option for older versions Android (up to 11th inclusive):

/storage/emulated/0/Viber/Backup/

In these folders you will find files with the extension .vcb (Viber Backup) - this and there are archives of your messages, media and settings. File names usually contain the creation date, for example:

backup_2026-05-15_12-30.vcb

Important: the folder Android/media/ may be hidden in some file managers. To see it, enable the display of hidden files in the Explorer settings (in Total Commander, FX File Explorer or the standard "Files" from Google).

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If you do not see the folder com.viber.voiptry updating to the latest version - in older releases the path to backups could differ. Viber until the latest version - in older releases the path to backups could be different.

2. How to check whether backups are created automatically

Viber It should create backups automatically, but sometimes this function is disabled - for example, after updating the application or resetting the phone. To make sure that the copies are saved:

  1. Open Viber and go. in More (⋮) → Settings → Account → Backup.
  2. Check the status of the last backup - if the date is current (for example, "today" or "yesterday"), then everything is in order.
  3. If there is no date or it is old, click Create a backup now.

Pay attention to the automatic settings backup:

  • 🔄 Frequency: daily, weekly or manually.
  • 📁 Storage location: local by default, but can be enabled Google Drive (not available in all regions).
  • 🔒 Encryption: if enabled, the backup is password protected (don't forget it!).

📊 How often do you backup messengers?
Every day
Once a week
Only before reinstallation
I never do

If automatic backup is disabled, enable it manually. Also check if there is enough space on the phone - Viber will not create a backup if the device has less than 100-200 MB of free space.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example, MIUI from Xiaomi or ColorOS from Oppo) Viber may not have permission to write to the folder Android/media/. In this case, backups are not created, although everything looks fine in the settings. The solution is to manually grant permissions via Settings → Applications. → Viber → Rights → Memory.

3. How to copy Viber backups to a computer or another phone

Local backups Viber are stored only on your device, so they are easy to lose when you reset or break your phone. To avoid this, copy regularly. files .vcb to reliable media. Here's how to do it:

Method 1: Via USB cable (for Windows/macOS/Linux)

  1. Connect your phone to the computer via USB (select file transfer mode MTP or Files).
  2. Open Explorer (This computer on Windows or Finder on macOS) and go to the phone folder.
  3. Follow the path /storage/emulated/0/Android/media/com.viber.voip/documents/.
  4. Copy files with the extension .vcb to a safe place on your PC (for example, to your desktop or to the cloud).

Method 2: Through a file manager (without a PC)

If you do not have a computer at hand, use cloud services:

  • 📱 Install Google Files, Total Commander or another file manager.
  • Find the folder with backups (the path is indicated above).
  • Select the files .vcb, click "Share" and select Google Drive, Dropbox or another cloud service.

The files .vcb are not damaged (size > 100 KB)

The backup creation dates are current

There is enough space on the PC/cloud for a copy

All files are copied (sometimes several)

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If you are transferring backups to another phone, simply move the files .vcb to the same folder on the new device. However, remember: messages can only be restored to the same phone numberfrom which the backup was made.

4. How to restore Viber messages from a backup

If you reinstalled Viber or reset your phone, restoring data from a backup is simple:

  1. Install Viber from Google Play and log in with the same phone number as before.
  2. At the setup stage, the application will offer to restore data from a backup copy. Click Restore.
  3. If the backup is encrypted, enter the password (if you set one).
  4. Wait for the process to complete - this may take several minutes.

If Viber does not offer to restore data automatically:

  • 🔄 Check whether the file .vcb is in the correct folder (the path is indicated in the first section).
  • 📅 Make sure that the backup date is newer than the date of the last authorization in Viber.
  • 🔄 Restart the application or reinstall it.

⚠️ Attention: If you logged in Viber on a new phone before after you copied the backup, it will be impossible to restore old messages. The application creates a new backup copy during the first authorization, overwriting it. old.
What to do if Viber does not see the backup?

If the file .vcb is in place, but Viber it "does not see", try:

1. Rename the file, removing unnecessary characters (for example, from backup_2026-05-15_12-30.vcb to backup.vcb).

2. Place it in a folder /Viber/Backup/ (for older versions).

3. Install an older version Viber (for example, 20.1.0), since in new releases the logic for working with backups sometimes changes.

5. Why Viber backups may not be created

If Viber does not make backups, the reasons are usually are hidden in system settings or limitations. Here are the most common problems and their solutions:

Problem Cause Solution
Backups are not created automatically The function is disabled in settings Enable automatic backup in Settings → Account → Backup
Files .vcb do not appear Not enough space on phone Clear the memory (delete unnecessary files or transfer them to a memory card)
Error when creating a backup Firmware blocks writing to the folder Android/media/ Give permission Viber to access memory manually
A backup is created, but not restored The file is damaged or outdated Delete the old backup and create a new one

Another possible reason is battery optimization. Some firmwares (for example, EMUI from Huaweiaggressively close background processes, which is why Viber does not have time to create a backup. To fix this:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → Viber → Battery.
  2. Disable battery optimization for Viber.
  3. Enable autorun of the application (if there is such an option).
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If Viber does not create backups despite all the settings, try clearing the application cache (Settings → Applications → Viber → Storage → Clear cache). Sometimes this helps clear backup errors.

6. Is it possible to recover Viber messages without a backup

If there are no backups, the chances of returning deleted messages are minimal, but they exist. Here's what you can try:

  • 🔍 Checking cloud services: If you have ever enabled synchronization with Google Drive (not available in all countries), check if there is a backup there. To do this, log in Viber on the new device and select recovery from the cloud.
  • 📱 Recovering deleted files: Using apps like DiskDigger or EaseUS MobiSaver you can scan your phone's memory for leftover files Viber. Success depends on how much time has passed since the deletion.
  • 💬 Contact support: In rare cases Viber can restore messages upon request if they are still stored on their servers (usually no longer than 30 days). Write to support via Settings → Help → Contact us.

Important: Viber does not store message history on its servers for more than a few days (unlike WhatsApp or Telegram). If there are no local backups, it is almost impossible to restore correspondence.

If you regularly communicate in Viber and are afraid of losing data, set up automatic backup and periodically copy files .vcb to your computer. This is the only reliable way to protect your messages.

7. How to transfer Viber backups to a new phone

When buying a new smartphone or resetting an old one, transferring backups Viber takes only a few minutes. The main thing is to do everything correctly so as not to lose data. Here are the step-by-step guide:

  1. Copy the backup from the old phone (see section 3). The file .vcb must be on your PC or in the cloud.
  2. Install Viber on the new phone, but do not log in!
  3. Move the file .vcb to the backup folder on the new device (path: /storage/emulated/0/Android/media/com.viber.voip/documents/).
  4. Log in Viber with the same phone number. The application should offer to restore the data.

If you have already logged in to the new phone before transferring the backup, you will have to:

  1. Delete Viber.
  2. Clear application data (Settings → Applications → Viber → Memory → Clear data).
  3. Install Viber again and repeat the process.

⚠️ Attention: If you are transferring a backup to a phone with a different operating system (for example, from Android to iOS or vice versa), the restoration may not work. Viber does not support cross-platform transfer of backups.

8. Alternative methods of Viber backup

Local backups are not the only way to save correspondence. If you want additional reliability, consider these options:

  • 🖥️ Exporting chats manually: IN Viber You can save individual correspondence to a file .txt or .zipTo do this, open the chat. → ⋮ → Export. Minus - only text messages are exported (without media).
  • ☁️ Cloud backup: In some regions Viber supports backups to Google Drive. To enable this feature, go to Settings → Account → Backup → Google Drive.
  • 📧 Forwarding important messages: Critical messages (passwords, documents) you can send it to yourself by email or to another instant messenger (for example, Telegram with cloud storage).

If you use Viber for work, we recommend combining several methods. For example, setting up automatic local backup + once a month. export important chats to .zip and save them in the cloud.

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Cloud backups in Google Drive are not available in all countries. If you do not have such an item in the settings, use local copies or alternative methods.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Viber backups

Is it possible to restore a Viber backup to another phone number?

No. Backup copies Viber are linked to the phone number from which they were created. If you have changed your number, you will not be able to restore old messages from a backup. The only way out is to temporarily return the old number (for example, by reactivating the SIM card) and transfer the data to a new device.

How do I know if my Viber backup is encrypted?

If you set a password when creating the backup, the backup is encrypted. You can also check this by the file name: encrypted copies usually have the word encrypted in the name (for example, backup_encrypted_2026-05-15.vcb). To restore such a backup, you will need to enter a password.

How much space does a Viber backup take up?

The size of the backup depends on the number of messages and media files. On average:

  • Text chats without attachments: 1–10 MB.
  • Correspondence with photos and videos: 100 MB - 1 GB.
  • Group chats with a lot of media: 1–3 GB.

If the backup is too large, Viber may not create it due to lack of space.

Is it possible to open a .vcb file without Viber?

Files .vcb have a proprietary format and are not intended for manual viewing. However, there are unofficial tools (for example Viber Backup Extractor) that allow you to extract text messages from them. To do this:

  1. Copy the file .vcb to your computer.
  2. Use a app to extract data (freely available on Github).
  3. Get files in the format .json or .txt.
Attention: Such tools may violate the privacy policy Viberuse them at your own peril and risk.

Why Viber creates backups only when connected to Wi-Fi?

By default Viber it is configured to create backups only when connected to Wi-Fiso as not to waste mobile traffic. If you want backups to be created via the mobile network:

  1. Go to Settings → Account → Backup.
  2. Enable the option Use mobile data (if your version).

Please note that backups can weigh hundreds of megabytes, so it is better to leave the default setting.