Mobile device users are often faced with the need to find backup copies of their data or transfer their correspondence history to a new gadget. The question of where are Viber messages stored on Androidbecomes especially relevant when the application malfunctions, accidentally deletes files, or wants to free up space in the device’s memory. Understanding the system directory structure will allow you to take full control of your data.
Unlike some other messengers, Viber uses local storage to save chat history, media files and settings. This data is located in specific folders in the internal memory or on a memory card SD. Knowing the exact path is necessary for manual backup, transferring data via a computer, or trying to restore deleted information using specialized software.
It is worth noting right away that access to system folders may be limited in new versions of the operating system. Starting from Android 11, the security policy Google has become more stringent, and direct access to the directory Android/data through standard file managers is often blocked. However, there are ways to bypass these restrictions or use alternative paths to access database files.
Data storage structure in the file system
By default, all messenger files are saved in the internal memory of the smartphone. If you use a memory card, some media files may be redirected there, but system databases usually remain on the main drive. The main root directory looks like this: /storage/emulated/0/Viber. This is where folders are created by default when you first install the application.
Inside the main directory Viber there are several critical subfolders. The folder downloads contains all received files that the user did not delete manually. This includes documents, archives and installation files. Separately, it is worth highlighting the folder media, which is structured by content type. This is where your photos and videos sent or received during communication are located.
The most valuable part of the data is the message database. They are stored in hidden or protected system directories, the path to which has changed in the latest versions Android. Previously, it was easy /data/data/com.viber.voip, but now the path has become more complicated due to the introduction of Scoped Storage. Accessing these files often requires root access or connecting the device to the computer in debug mode.
⚠️ Attention: Direct editing of database files without creating a backup copy can lead to a complete loss of the correspondence history and the inability to launch the application.
Before any manipulations with Viber folders, copy the entire directory to your computer or cloud storage - this is your insurance against accidental data loss.
Location of databases and settings files
The main database containing text messages, contacts and call information is called viber.db. You can find this file along the path /data/data/com.viber.voip/databases/. However, on modern smartphones without superuser rights, this section is not available for viewing. The system protects these files from unauthorized access by third-party applications.
For ordinary users who do not have root access, the path to backups that are created automatically or manually through the settings of the application itself becomes relevant. These files have the extension .vbk and are usually located in the folder /storage/emulated/0/Viber/backup. It is this file that is most often searched for by users who want to restore correspondence after reinstallation.
In addition to the main database, the system stores cache files and temporary data. They take up a significant amount of memory and can be safely deleted if your goal is to clean your smartphone. However, deleting files from the folder databases will cause the next startup to Viber show an empty list of chats, as if you had registered again.
| File type | File name | Location | Importance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Message database | viber.db | /data/data/../databases/ | Critical |
| Backup | backup_*.vbk | /Viber/backup/ | High |
| Photos | .jpg.png | /Viber/media/Photos/ | Average |
| Videos | .mp4.3gp | /Viber/media/Videos/ | Average |
If you plan to transfer data manually, you will need to copy the entire folder databases entirely. Simply moving one file viber.db may not be enough since the application uses accompanying transaction log files for data integrity. Violation of the folder structure will lead to an error in initializing the database.
☑️ Check before copying databases
Access to media files: photos, videos and documents
With media files the situation is much simpler. You don't need special rights or complex utilities to access photos and videos captured in Viber. All images are saved in a public part of the memory, which is visible to any file manager, including a standard explorer Google Files or built into the smartphone shell.
The full path to the photos looks like this: /storage/emulated/0/Viber/media/Viber Images. In this folder, files can be further sorted by dates or chats, depending on the version of the application. Video files are stored in the next directory Viber Videos. If you have sent or received voice messages, they can be found in the folder Viber Audio.
Documents, such as PDF, Word or archives, are saved in the folder Viber Documents. This is very convenient for quickly finding the file you need without having to scroll through the chat history in the messenger itself. Just go to the file manager, go to the specified path and sort the files by modification date.
- 📸 Photos are stored in a folder
Viber Imagesand automatically appear in the smartphone gallery. - 🎥 Videos take up the most space and are located in the directory
Viber Videos. - 📄 Documents and archives are stored in
Viber Documents, without being displayed in the general gallery.
This allows you to hide personal photos from prying eyes, while maintaining access to them through Explorer.
⚠️ Attention: When clearing your smartphone's memory through system settings, be careful with your choice categories "Images" or "Videos" so as not to accidentally delete files from Viber folders if they are not marked as cache.
Access features on Android 11, 12 and later
Starting with the eleventh version of the operating system, Google has introduced a mechanism Scoped Storage. This means that applications are isolated from each other, and file managers no longer have free access to the folder. If you are trying to find files Android/data And Android/obb. If you are trying to find files Viber by path /Android/data/com.viber.voip/files/, you may encounter an empty directory or an access error.
To bypass this limitation on new smartphones, you can use a computer. When you connect the device to PC via USB cable in file transfer mode (MTP), system restrictions often do not apply, and you can see the contents of protected folders. There are also special file managers, such as Total Commander with an access plugin or Material Filesthat request special permission from the system to access this data.
Another nuance concerns backup copies. On new versions Android the application may offer to save backups not to internal memory, but directly to the cloud Google Drive. In this case, the local file .vbk may not be created in the folder /Viber/backup/unless you explicitly request the creation of a local copy through the app settings.
How to access Android/data on Android 11+
There is a method through the Files application (Files by Google). Go to the settings of the "Files" application, find the "Show hidden files" item or use a third-party explorer, which, when you go to the Android/data folder, will bring up a system window with a "Use this folder" button. After confirming access, you can copy files from there.
Manual backup and data transfer
If automatic synchronization with the cloud does not suit you or you do not have a stable Internet, you can create a backup copy manually. To do this, use the built-in function in the messenger itself. Go to menu More → Settings → Account → Viber backup. Here you can start creating a backup file immediately.
After the process is completed, the file will appear in the folder /Viber/backup/. You can copy this file to your computer, flash drive, or send it to yourself by email. To restore correspondence on a new device, you need to install Viber, register with the same phone number, and then when you first launch the application itself will offer to find and restore data from a local file.
When transferring data to a new phone, it is important to follow the sequence of actions. First install the application, then copy the backup file to the exact same directory on the new device. Only after this launch Viber. If you run the application before copying the file, it will create a new empty database, and the recovery process may not work correctly.
- 💾 Create backups regularly, especially before resetting your phone.
- 🔄 When transferring to a new phone, first copy the backup file, then install the application.
- 🔒 Protect your backup files with a password or store them in an encrypted archive.
⚠️ Attention: Viber backup is linked to a specific phone number. It is impossible to restore correspondence from one number to another, even if you have a database file.
Local backup (.vbk) is the most reliable way to transfer chat history between devices without using Google or iCloud cloud services.
Recovering deleted messages and files
Recovering deleted messages without Preliminary backup is a difficult task, but sometimes doable. If you delete a conversation in the application, it is erased from the database viber.db. However, if you have an old backup, you can try to restore the state to the time it was created. To do this, you need to delete the current application, install it again and, when starting, specify the path to the old file. .vbk.
To restore deleted photos and videos that were not saved in a backup copy, you can use apps for data recovery from SD card or internal memory, such as Recuva or DiskDigger. These utilities scan free disk space for traces of deleted files. The chance of success depends on whether this place has had time to be overwritten with new data.
There is also a cache folder where thumbnails of deleted images may remain. The path to them: /Android/data/com.viber.voip/cache/. The files here have strange names without extensions, but you can try to open them as images. This will not restore the original in high quality, but will at least allow you to see the contents of the deleted photo.
Where can I find the Viber folder if I don’t see it in the file manager?
Make sure that the “Show hidden files” option is enabled in the settings of your file manager. Also check if the folder is hidden with a dot at the beginning of the name (although this is not typical for Viber). On Android 11+, use a PC connection to access system folders.
Can the viber.db file be read on a computer?
Yes, the file is in SQLite format. To view it on your computer you will need special apps, for example, DB Browser for SQLite. However, the database structure can be encrypted, and to read it you will need a decryption key, which is stored in the application settings on the phone.
Why, after restoring the copy, old messages appeared, but new ones did not?
The backup copy contains data only at the time of its creation. All messages received after the date the backup file was created are not recorded in it. To save them, it was necessary to create a new copy later.
Does the Viber folder take up a lot of space and can it be cleared?
Yes, over time the folder can take up several gigabytes due to the accumulation of videos and photos. You can safely clear folders Viber Images, Viber Videos and downloads. It is not recommended to touch the folder databases i backup if you want to save the correspondence history.
How to transfer Viber to another phone without losing data?
Make a backup on your old phone through the app settings. Copy the file .vbk to the new phone in the same directory. Install Viber on a new device, log in with the same number and agree to restore from the found copy.