Mobile messengers have become an integral part of our digital life, and Viber remains one of the market leaders due to the high quality of calls and wide functionality. However, for new users or when changing devices, the initial configuration process may raise questions, especially when it comes to restoring correspondence history.
Correct setting up Viber on a device with the Android operating system begins even before launching the application itself, by checking system requirements and network settings. Errors at this stage often lead to the fact that the confirmation code does not arrive or the application is unstable.
In this guide we will analyze in detail all the steps: from downloading the distribution to fine-tuning notifications and security. You will learn how to properly link your account and protect your data from prying eyes.
Preparing the device and installing the application
Before you begin the installation, make sure that your smartphone is connected to a stable Internet source. Although mobile traffic is enough to download the application itself, for subsequent synchronization of contacts and media files it is better to use the network Wi-Fi. This will avoid unexpected expenses and speed up the process.
Open an official store Google Play Store on your gadget. In the search bar, enter the name of the messenger and select the application with the logo in the form of a purple handset. Press the button Install and wait for the download to complete.
After installation, do not rush to open the app immediately. Go to the Settings → Applications → Viber section in the system menu of your phone. Here you need to check which permissions have already been granted and which require your consent.
- 📞 Phone: necessary to identify your number and make calls.
- 👥 Contacts: allows the messenger to automatically find friends who are already using the service.
- 📷 Camera and Microphone: critical for video calls and recording voice messages.
- 💾 Memory: required for saving received photos and documents to internal storage.
⚠️ Attention: If you deny access to the microphone or contacts during the installation stage, the application will work with restrictions. You will not be able to make calls or see the names of your interlocutors, only their numbers.
It is recommended that immediately after installation, go to the battery settings and disable energy saving for Viber so that notifications arrive instantly, even if the screen is turned off.
Registering a new account and entering the number
Launch the application. On the welcome screen, select your language and click continue. The system will ask you to confirm your phone number. Enter the country code and the number itself in international format, without pluses and brackets, if the input field does not automatically provide them.
Press the confirmation button. A message will be sent to the specified number SMS message with a four-digit code. In some cases, if the SMS does not arrive within a minute, the system will offer a voice call option. The robot will dictate a code that must be entered in the appropriate fields.
After successful verification, you will be asked to provide a name and optionally upload a profile photo. This data will be visible to all your contacts who have your number saved. You can skip this step and fill out the profile later in the settings section.
☑️ Check before registration
It is important to understand that one phone number can only be active on one mobile device at a particular time. If you try to register on a second phone with the same number, the session on the first device will be forcibly terminated.
Backup restoration and synchronization
One of the most important steps for those who have changed phones is restoring the correspondence history. Viber uses cloud storage Google Drive to create backups. If this function was enabled on your old device, you can return all chats.
Immediately after entering the verification code, the application will automatically check for the presence of a backup in your Google account. If a copy is found, you will be prompted to restore the data. Agree with this action, otherwise the correspondence history will be lost forever.
The recovery process may take time depending on the amount of data and Internet speed. During this time, do not close the application or lock the screen. Once completed, you will see all your old conversations as they were when the copy was created.
| Option | Local storage | Google Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Only on the creation device | When you sign in to any account Google |
| Risk of loss | High (if the phone breaks down) | Minimal |
| Required space | Phone internal memory | Cloud disk quota |
| Automation | Manual or scheduled | Fully automatic |
What to do if a copy not found?
If the application does not see the backup, check that you are signed in to the same Google account that was used on the old phone. Also make sure that the copy was actually created recently on the old device.
Setting up privacy and security
The security of personal data in the messenger is a priority. W Viber has a powerful encryption tool, but the user must independently activate additional security measures in the settings menu. Go to the section Privacy.
Here you can hide the time of your last visit, the “Online” status and information about reading messages. This allows you to remain invisible to your interlocutors, although you yourself will not see their statuses.
For maximum protection, it is recommended to install passcode or use biometrics (fingerprint or face scanner) to enter the application. This will prevent access to correspondence if your phone falls into the wrong hands.
- 🔒 Pode lock: requires entering a PIN code each time you launch the application.
- 👁️ Hidden chat: allows you to create dialogs protected by a separate password, which are not displayed in the general list.
- 🚫 Black list: blocks calls and messages from unwanted contacts.
Enabling application blocking using a fingerprint is the fastest and most reliable way to protect correspondence from strangers, without complicating the login process passwords.
⚠️ Attention: If you forget the password code for a hidden chat or the main application lock, it will be impossible to restore access to them. The support service does not store this data.
Managing notifications and sounds
Setting up notifications allows you to flexibly control how and when your phone notifies you of new events. Go to the Notifications section in the settings. Here you can globally turn off sounds or vibration if you don’t want your phone to distract you.
For more fine-tuning, you can set unique ringtones for specific contacts or groups. This is useful to immediately understand who is writing without looking at the screen. Select a contact, click on his name and select Notification sound.
It is also worth paying attention to the pop-up window settings. You can allow message previews to appear on the lock screen or hide the text of the message, leaving only the sender's name. It's a balance between convenience and privacy.
Advanced functions and personalization
The messenger interface can be adapted to your tastes. In the section Design you can change the theme. You can choose a light, dark theme or set up automatic switching depending on the time of day.
Function Viber Out allows you to make calls to regular landline and mobile numbers around the world for a small fee. To activate this function, you need to top up your balance within the application. This is convenient when you need to call a person who does not have Internet.
Another useful option is creating stickers from your own photos. You can cut out a face from a photo, add a caption, and send the result to a friend. This is done through the sticker panel in any chat by selecting the create icon.
Settings → Appearance → Themes → Select from galleryDo not forget to periodically clear the application cache if it starts to work slowly. This can be done through the Android system settings in the application management section by selecting Clear cache.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and location of menu items may vary slightly depending on the version of Android and the shell of your smartphone manufacturer (Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei).
How to delete an account completely?
To delete an account permanently, go to Settings → Account → Delete Viber account. This action will delete all correspondence history and cancel Viber Out subscriptions.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to use one number on a phone and tablet at the same time?
Yes, it is possible. The main account is registered on the phone, and on the tablet or computer you need to select the “Connect device” option and scan the QR code from the screen of the main smartphone. The tablet will work as an additional device.
Why don’t messages arrive, although there is Internet?
Most often the problem is in the energy saving settings of the Android system, which “kill” the background process of the messenger. Add Viber to battery exceptions and check if Do Not Disturb mode is enabled in the system.
How to transfer correspondence from iPhone to Android?
Direct transfer via Google Drive is not possible due to differences in cloud storage. It is necessary to use special functions when initially setting up a new Android smartphone (if the manufacturer supports data migration) or third-party software for PC.
Will my contacts know that I installed Viber?
When registering, the application requests access to the phone book. People whose numbers you have and who have your number will receive a notification that you have joined the network, unless they have this function disabled in their privacy settings.
What is the “Second Number” in Viber?
This is a paid service that allows you to get a virtual number in another country for registration or calls. This is convenient for business or travel, allowing you to have a local number without purchasing a physical SIM card.