With each update of the operating system Android the security policy becomes stricter, which directly affects the availability of system directories. If you've been using the messenger for several years, you probably remember that finding saved media files used to be a piece of cake. Now, especially on devices with Android 11 and newer, the usual paths have changed, and users are often lost in search of their photos or backup copies of chats.
The need to locate (search) this data arises for various reasons: someone wants to free up space by deleting old files manually, and someone needs to transfer the chat history to a new phone without using cloud services. Understanding the structure of the file system in this case is a key skill for competent management of a smartphone.
In this article we will look in detail at where it is located Viber directory on different versions of the operating system, how to access it without root access and what nuances should be taken into account when working with messenger files.
Evolution of access paths in new versions of Android
Starting with version Android 11, Google has implemented the Scoped Storage mechanism, which significantly limited the access of applications and users to shared storage folders. This was done to increase data confidentiality, but made life more difficult for those who are used to delving into the file system.
Previously, all messenger data was located in the root of the internal memory, in the folder with the name of the application. Now, to find the files you need, you will have to delve into the depths of the system. The main path has moved to the directory Android/media or Android/data, access to which is often limited by standard file managers.
If you have a device based on Android 10 or lower, the file structure remains the same and is more understandable for the average user. However, owners of fresh flagships and budget phones produced in 2022-2026 will have to master new navigation routes.
⚠️ Attention: On some smartphones of brands Xiaomi, Samsung and Huawei manufacturers add their own skins that can hide the folder
Androidby default. You may need to enable the display of hidden files in the Explorer settings.
Standard path to files on modern devices
For most current smartphones running the latest versions of the operating system, the main path to messenger media files looks like this. You will need any file manager that supports working with system directories, for example Files by Google or FX File Explorer.
Go to the internal storage of the device and sequentially open the following folders:
Internal memory → Android → media → com.viber.voipIt is in this directory com.viber.voip all files received and sent by you are stored. Inside you will find subfolders such as Viber Images for photos and Viber Video for video recordings. This is the main container where the application saves content by default.
It is worth noting that in some cases, depending on the settings of the application itself, some of the data may be duplicated or stored in a nearby system folder. Android/data/com.viber.voip. However, to access user content (photos, videos, audio) in 95% of cases, the path through is used media.
If you do not see the Android folder in the root of the memory, try connecting the phone to the computer in file transfer mode (MTP) - access to these directories through a PC is often opened without additional settings.
Folder structure inside the Viber directory
Once you are in the desired directory, you will see many subfolders with names that may seem chaotic. In fact, the system for storing files in Viber is quite logical if you know what each directory means.
Let's look at the main folders that you will encounter most often:
- 📁 Viber Images - all photos received in personal chats and group conversations are stored here. Files are usually not sorted by date, but have unique names.
- 🎥 Viber Video —a similar folder, but for videos. Video files take up much more space, so this directory most often requires cleaning.
- 🎵 Viber Audio —voice messages and music files sent by interlocutors are saved in this section. Please note that system sounds of the application are not stored here.
- 📄 Viber Documents is a relatively new folder where documents in PDF, DOCX format and archives sent in chats go.
Inside these folders, files can be additionally distributed into subdirectories with digital names corresponding to chat IDs or download dates. This makes it difficult to manually search for a specific file if you do not know the exact date it was received.
For ease of navigation, many users prefer to use the search function inside the file manager by entering the file extension (for example, .jpg or .mp4) instead of manually going through folders.
Location of backups and database
Of particular interest is the question of where chat backups and the message database are stored. This is critical information for those who are planning to change devices or want to save chat history before reinstalling the application.
Backup files are usually located along the path:
Internal memory → Android → data → com.viber.voip → files → backupIn this folder you will find files with the extension .vbk or similar, which contain the encrypted history of your messages. Without access to this folder, restoring correspondence on a new device manually (without using Google Drive or iCloud) will be impossible.
A database file that contains the text of messages may also be located here. However, simply copying it and opening it on another phone will not work - a full recovery procedure is required through the settings of the messenger itself.
| Data type | Approximate path | File extension | Can I open it manually |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photos | Android/media/.../Viber Images |
.jpg, .png | Yes |
| Video | Android/media/.../Viber Video |
.mp4, .3gp | Yes |
| Backup | Android/data/.../backup |
.vbk | No (only through the app) |
| Voice messages | Android/media/.../Viber Audio |
.opus, .ogg | Yes (via the player) |
Why can the backup folder be empty?
The backup folder will be empty if you have never performed a local backup through the Viber settings or if autosave to the cloud is disabled and the local function has not been used.
How to access system folders on Android 11+
The biggest problem for users of new smartphones is the inability to open a folder Android/data or Android/media through a standard explorer. When you try to log in, the system displays a message about access restrictions.
To bypass this limitation, you do not need to be rooted, which would void your warranty. It is enough to install a third-party file manager that can request special permission from the system. One of the best solutions is Solid Explorer, CX File Explorer or MT Manager.
When you first try to enter a protected directory, such an application will display a system window asking you to confirm access. You will need to click the "Allow access to folder" button at the bottom of the screen, and then confirm the action by clicking the blue button at the bottom of the interface.
⚠️ Attention: Be extremely careful when deleting files from the folder
Android/data. Deleting a random system folder can lead to incorrect operation of not only Viber, but also other applications that use this directory for cache.
After receiving permission, you will be able to freely copy, move and delete files inside the messenger directory. This is especially convenient when you need to massively clear disk space.
☑️ Checking access to files
Transferring files to a computer and clearing memory
A frequent task is to transfer important photos and videos from your phone to your computer to free up space. The most reliable way to do this is to connect your smartphone to your PC via a USB cable and select the file transfer mode.
On the computer, the folder structure will look exactly the same as in the mobile file manager. You can enter along the way This computer → Phone name → Internal Storage → Android → media → com.viber.voip. From here it is convenient to copy files en masse to your hard drive.
If your goal is solely to clear memory, then before deleting files, make sure that you do not need them in the future. Removing files from a folder Viber Images will not delete them from the chat in the application itself (if autosave media is enabled), but will free up disk space.
However, if you delete backup files from the folder backup, you risk losing your entire chat history when you reset your phone or reinstall the application. Always check the contents of the folder before clicking the "Delete" button.
Regularly transferring media files to a computer or cloud storage is the best way to prevent your smartphone's memory from becoming full and losing important data.
Frequently asked questions and access problems
Even following the instructions, users may encounter unusual situations. Below are answers to the most popular questions that arise when searching for a folder in a popular messenger.
Why don’t I see the com.viber.voip folder after updating Android?
This is normal behavior for Android 11 and above. The system hides the contents of application folders for security. Use a third-party file manager (for example, CX File Explorer) and give it special permission to access the Android folder, as described in the section above.
Is it possible to change the path where Viber files are saved to a memory card?
In modern versions of the application and OS, this function is often missing or does not work correctly due to Scoped Storage limitations. Previously, in the Viber settings there was a “Memory” item, where you could select an SD card, but now the application by default writes only to the internal memory in the directory Android/media.
Where are stickers and contact avatars located?
Stickers and cached avatars are usually stored in hidden cache directories inside Android/data/com.viber.voip/cache. These files have complex names without extensions or with specific extensions, and viewing them as regular pictures is inconvenient. They are intended for internal use of the application.
What to do if the Viber folder takes up too much space?
It is best to use the built-in cleaning function in the application itself: Settings → Memory and data → Memory clearing. This is safer than manually deleting files, since the application will correctly update its index and there will be no errors when displaying old messages.
How to find deleted photos from Viber?
If you deleted a photo from the gallery or Viber folders, they cannot be restored using standard means. You can try checking the folder .Trash or Recycle Bin in your file manager or gallery, if such a function is provided by the smartphone manufacturer. For deep recovery, you will need special apps for PC.