Users of the Viber messenger are often faced with the need to transfer correspondence to a new smartphone or save important files before resetting the settings. However, Android, especially in recent versions, has made it much more difficult to directly access application files for security purposes. If previously the folders were in plain sight, now the path to database is hidden behind system restrictions. Understanding where chat files are physically located is critical for manual backup.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at the Viber directory structure on your device. You will learn not only the standard paths, but also the nuances associated with versions of Android 11, 12 and higher. We will also discuss how to distinguish an encrypted message database from regular pictures and videos so that you can effectively manage your digital history.
Data storage architecture in the messenger
All data in the Viber application are divided into two main types: multimedia content and text message database. Media files (photos, videos, voice messages) are usually stored in open directories, accessible through any file manager without obtaining root access. Their structure is intuitive and divided by content type for easy sorting.
With text history, everything is more complicated. It resides in the database file format SQLite. This file contains all your correspondence, contacts and chat settings in encrypted or clear form (depending on your backup settings). Accessing this directory on modern smartphones can be difficult without connecting to a computer via a protocol MTP or using special rights.
If you plan to transfer data manually, be sure to copy the entire folder and not individual files. Violation of the directory structure may result in the application not being able to read the database during recovery.
It is important to note that the location of the files depends on the version of the operating system. On older devices (Android 9 and below), the path was simpler, while Google's new requirements for application isolation (Scoped Storage) moved data to more protected areas of internal memory.
Standard file paths on different versions of Android
The search for the desired directory should start from the root directory of the internal memory. In most cases, you will find a folder with the name of the application immediately when you enter the storage. However, if you are the owner of a modern flagship, the path may look different due to changes in the OS security policy.
Let's consider the main file location options. For devices based on Android 10 and below, the following path is relevant:
- 📂
/Viber— root application folder in the root of the internal memory. - 📂
/Viber/media— all received and sent pictures and videos are stored here. - 📂
/Viber/backups— directory for local database backups.
For Android users 11, 12, 13 and newer, the system forcibly moved the data to the system folder Android. Now the full path to the history looks like this:
- 📂
/Android/media/com.viber.voip—new location of media files. - 📂
/Android/data/com.viber.voip/files—service files and cache are located here. - 📂
/Android/data/com.viber.voip/databases—critical folder with the file viber.db.
Please note that access to the folder /Android/data through the standard explorer on the phone may be blocked by the system. In this case, it is recommended to connect the smartphone to the PC and search for files through the computer interface or use third-party file managers with extended rights, such as Total Commander or Solid Explorer.
Database and media file structure
Inside Viber folders, files have a strictly defined structure. Understanding which file is responsible for what will help you avoid deleting unnecessary things and keep exactly what you need. The main file is viber.db, which is a SQLite database.
In addition to the main database, the directory databases may contain transaction log files (for example, viber.db-journal or viber.db-wal). These temporary files are necessary for the correct operation of the database at the time of recording. When copying manually, it is also recommended to transfer them along with the main file.
| File name | Content type | Importance |
|---|---|---|
viber.db |
Message text, contacts, settings | Critical |
viber.db-wal |
Pre-write log (transactions) | High |
.nomedia |
Hidden file (indexing prohibited) | Low |
profile.jpg |
User avatar | Medium |
Why are .wal and .shm files important?
These files contain data that has not yet been finally written to the main database file. If you copy only viber.db without the accompanying files, the last few messages may be lost or the database may not open.
Media files in the folder media usually sorted into subdirectories: Images, Video, Audio. This makes it easy to find specific photos or voice notes without having to open every file. However, file names are often a series of hash sums rather than the original names, making it difficult to manually search without viewing the contents.
Manually backing up history
The most reliable way to save history is to create a complete copy of the data folder. This method allows you to transfer correspondence to another device even without using Google Drive cloud services, which sometimes fail or have space limitations.
To complete the procedure, you will need to connect your smartphone to your computer via a USB cable. Make sure your phone is in file transfer mode (MTP) and not just charging. After connecting, open the internal storage of the device on the computer.
☑️ Manual backup algorithm
Copy the folders databases and media to a safe place on your computer’s hard drive. When restoring to a new phone, you must first install the Viber application, go through the initial registration (you can cancel it immediately after entering the code, without going into chats), and then replace the empty folders with your saved copies.
⚠️ Attention: When restoring manually, the version of the application on the new phone must be the same or newer than on the old one. An attempt to open a database from a new version of Viber on an old application may result in a read error and data loss.
After replacing the files, launch the application. If everything is done correctly, Viber will pick up the old database and you will see your chats. However, it is worth remembering that this method does not always guarantee 100% success due to possible differences in encryption keys on different devices.
Access problems on Android 11 and later
Starting with version eleven of Android, Google has implemented an isolated storage policy. This means that standard file managers no longer see the contents of the folder /Android/data. When you try to go there, you will see an empty directory or a message about access restrictions.
This is done to protect user data from malware that could scan the memory of other applications. However, for an honest user who wants to make a backup, this creates significant inconvenience. There are several ways to get around this limitation.
The first way is to use the built-in disk analysis tool. Enter the path directly in the address bar of Explorer (if such a function is available) or through hidden menus. The second, more reliable way is to use the utility ADB (Android Debug Bridge) on your computer.
adb pull /sdcard/Android/data/com.viber.voip/databases/viber.db C:\Backup\Viber\This command will allow you to pull the database file directly, bypassing interface restrictions. To work ADB you need to enable USB debugging mode in the “For Developers” menu on your smartphone.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and access paths may change in future firmware updates from Samsung, Xiaomi or Pixel. Always check that the paths are up-to-date in the official documentation of your device manufacturer before starting complex file operations.
Using ADB is the most professional and reliable method of bypassing Scoped Storage limitations, but it requires a computer and minimal technical skills.
Automatic cloud backup
If manually copying files seems too complicated or risky for you, it is better to use the built-in cloud backup function. Viber allows you to save your correspondence history in Google Drive. This eliminates the need to look for paths to files and fiddle with cables.
To set up automatic saving, go to the application settings. Go to section Account, then select item Viber backup. Here you can enable the option and select the frequency of creating copies: daily, weekly or monthly.
When using this method, files are encrypted and uploaded to your personal cloud storage. Restoration occurs automatically when you install the application on a new phone and log in to the same Google account. This is the most secure option for the average user.
- ☁️ Does not take up space in the phone’s memory (files in the cloud).
- 🔄 Occurs automatically according to a schedule.
- 🔒 Data is protected by the password of your Google account.
However, the cloud method has a disadvantage: you do not have direct access to the database file. You can't just open it on your computer and read the correspondence as text. The file exists only for internal use by the Viber application.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to read the viber.db file on a computer without a phone?
Yes, it is possible, but the file is encrypted. To read, you will need special utilities for (decrypting) the Viber database, which require an encryption key. Without a key, you will only see a set of incomprehensible symbols. The key is often stored in the system files of the application, access to which is restricted.
Where are voice messages stored in Viber?
Voice messages are usually located in the folder /Viber/media/Audio or /Android/media/com.viber.voip/Viber/media/Audio. They have an extension .ogg or .mp4 (depending on the version of the application) and can be played by any standard media player.
What to do if after restoration there are no old messages?
Most likely, you restored a backup that was made a long time ago, or there was a database version conflict data. Try deleting the current database viber.db on your phone and copy your saved file again, making sure that the application is closed at this moment (unloaded from RAM).
Are files deleted from the Viber folder when you delete the application?
Yes, when deleting an application as standard through the Android settings, the system automatically clears the directory /Android/data/com.viber.voip. All local copies of databases and cache will be irretrievably lost if you have not made a copy of them in advance to another location.
How to find the hidden .viber folder on your phone?
The dots at the beginning of the folder name (for example, .viber) mean that it is hidden. To see it in the file manager, you need to go to the Explorer settings and enable the “Show hidden files” option. On some phone models, this option is in the “More” menu or in the form of three dots in the corner of the screen.