Reinstalling the messenger Viber on Androida smartphone may be needed for various reasons: from bugs and freezes until you need to free up space or update the application version. However, the main fear of users is the loss of correspondence history, media files and contacts. Fortunately, the developers have provided several ways to save data, but not all of them work equally effectively. In this article we will analyze the only reliable backup method that is guaranteed to save your chats even if the application is completely uninstalledand also consider alternative options and typical errors that lead to loss of information.

It is important to understand that the reinstallation process Viber differs from the standard update via Google Play. With a regular update, the data remains in place, while a complete removal and reinstallation requires preliminary preparation. In addition, some backup functions depend on the version of the application and operating system - we will also mention this in the relevant sections.

Why you may need to reinstall Viber

Messenger Viber usually works stably, but there are situations when reinstallation becomes necessary:

  • 🔄 Freezes and errors: The application constantly crashes, does not send messages or does not synchronize chats.
  • 📱 Changing device: Transferring an account to a new smartphone while saving the history.
  • 🗑️ Storage & Performance: Viber takes up too much space due to accumulated media files.
  • 🔒 Problems with your account: Cannot log into your profile or restore access.
  • 🆕 Testing beta versions: Installing experimental builds and then returning to the stable version.

Most often users are faced with the need to reinstall due to sync errors (code 403 or 500), when messages do not reach the recipient, or when Continuous notifications about low memory. In such cases, a simple update is not enough - a clean installation is required. However, without a prior backup, you risk losing all correspondence, including voice messages and attachments.

⚠️ Attention: If you use Viber Out (toll calls), make sure you have your recharge data saved accounts. Payment history is not synchronized with the cloud and may be lost when the application is deleted.
📊 How often do you reinstall instant messengers?
Once a year
Only in case of failures
Never
I don’t remember

Preparing for reinstallation: data backup

Before deleting Viber you must create a backup copy of chats. The app has a built-in export feature, but it doesn't work perfectly. Let's consider all available methods:

1. Backup via Google Drive (official method)

The most reliable option is synchronization with Google Drive. However, it has limitations:

  • 📌 Works only if you have previously enabled backup in the settings Viber.
  • 📌 Restore is only possible to the same device or a new one with the same phone number.
  • 📌 Media files (photos, videos, voice) are not always saved completely.

To check if backup is enabled:

  1. Open Viber and go to More (⋮) → Settings → Account → Backup.
  2. Make sure that the option Automatic download is active.
  3. Manually start creating a copy by clicking Create a copy now.

2. Local copy to device

If cloud synchronization is not configured, you can save the data locally:

  1. Go to Settings → Account → Backup.
  2. Select Create a local copy.
  3. The file will be saved in the folder /sdcard/Viber/Backup (available only through the file manager).

A local copy takes up space on the device, but it can be transferred to a computer or external drive. The main disadvantage is that when resetting the phone to factory settings, the file will be lost if it is not copied in advance.

Has a backup been created in Google Drive|Is a local copy saved on the device|Has the password for the Viber account been remembered (if installed)|Are contacts synchronized with the phone book-->

3. Export chats manually (for individual dialogues)

If you need to save only part of the conversation:

  1. Open the desired chat.
  2. Click on the name of the interlocutor → More (⋮) → Export chat.
  3. Select format (.txt or .zip with media files).
  4. The file will be saved in the folder Downloads.

This method is suitable for saving important conversations, but does not replace a full backup. Exported chats cannot be imported back into Viber —they are for viewing only.

Backup method Saves chats Saves media Restore to a new one device Requires internet
Google Drive ✅ Yes ⚠️ Partially ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
Local copy ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ❌ No (file transfer required) ❌ No
Export chat ✅ Yes (selected only) ⚠️ Only when selecting .zip ❌ No (view only) ❌ No
⚠️ Attention: If you use Viber on a tablet without a SIM card, Google Drive backup may not work. In this case, link your account to a phone number or use a local copy.

Step-by-step guide: how to delete Viber without losing data

When the backup is ready, you can proceed to uninstall the application. Follow the instructions to avoid errors:

  1. Close the application: Make sure Viber is not running in the background. To do this, open Settings → Applications → Viber → Force stop.
  2. Disable auto-update (optional): If you plan to install a specific version, open Google Play → Profile → Settings → Auto-update applications and select Do not update automatically.
  3. Delete the application:
    • Method 1: Long press the icon Viber on the main screen → Delete.
    • Method 2: Go to Settings → Applications → Viber → Delete.
  • Clear cache and data (if you need complete removal): In the application menu in the settings, click Storage → Clear cache and Clear data. This step will delete all local Viber files, including unsaved copies!

    • After deleting, it is recommended to restart the device so that the system completely clears temporary files. This is especially important if you have encountered errors in the operation of the messenger.

    💡

    If after deleting Viber a folder remains in the phone's memory Viber Media, it can be deleted manually through the file manager. It takes up space, but does not affect the operation of the new installation.

    Installing Viber and restoring data

    Now you can install Viber again and restore data. The process depends on which backup method you used.

    1. Installation via Google Play

    The easiest way:

    1. Open Google Play and find Viber.
    2. Click Install and wait for completion.
    3. Launch the application and log in with the same phone number.

    2. Restoring from a backup

    If you created a copy in Google Drive:

    1. When you first start Viber it will offer to restore the data. Click Restore.
    2. Select the most recent copy from the list.
    3. Wait for the process to complete (may take a few minutes).

    For local copy:

    1. Copy the backup file (for example, viber_backup_20260515.db) to the folder /sdcard/Viber/Backup.
    2. Run Viber and follow the instructions for recovery.

      3. If the copy is not detected, check:

      • 🔹 The file name is correct (must contain viber_backup).
      • 🔹 Storage permissions (in Android settings).
      • 🔹 Free space on the device (required at least 100 MB).
      What to do if the recovery freezes?

      If the recovery process freezes at the "Data Preparation" stage, try the following:

      1. Restart the phone.

      2. Uninstall and install Viber again.

      3. Check your Internet connection (for a cloud copy).

      4. If the problem persists, try restoring the data on another device and then transferring the local copy.

      Common errors and their solutions

      Even If you follow the instructions correctly, problems may arise. Let's look at the most common ones:

      1. "The backup cannot be restored"

      Causes and solutions:

      • 🔸 Phone number mismatch: The copy is linked to a different number. The solution is to log in under the same number with which the copy was created.
      • 🔸 Outdated version of Viber: Update the application to the latest version in Google Play.
      • 🔸 Damaged copy file: Try creating a new copy or restoring from another device.

      2. Chat history disappeared after recovery

      Possible reasons:

      • 🔸 Restoration was interrupted due to weak Internet (for the cloud copy).
      • 🔸 The local copy was moved or renamed.
      • 🔸 There is not enough memory on the device to unpack the data.

    Solution: check the folder /sdcard/Viber/Backup for copy files. If there are any, repeat the recovery. If not, try restoring the data from another device or contact support Viber (via Settings → Support).

    3. Notifications do not arrive after reinstallation

    Often related to system settings:

    1. Open Phone Settings → Applications → Viber → Notifications.
    2. Make sure that all switches are active.
    3. Inside Viber check Settings → Notifications.
    ⚠️ Attention: If you used Viber on two devices (for example, phone + tablet), after reinstallation you may need to re-authorize on the second device. In some cases, the chat history on the second device is reset - this is normal behavior, since the main copy of the data is stored on the phone.

    Alternative methods of saving data

    If standard backup methods do not work, you can use third-party tools, however, they require root access or additional manipulations.

    1. Backup via Titanium Backup (root required)

    The application Titanium Backup allows you to create a full copy Viber along with the data:

    1. Install Titanium Backup from Google Play.
    2. Run the application and provide root access.
    3. Find Viber in the list of applications and select Backup.
    4. After reinstallation, restore data via Restore.

    Disadvantages of the method:

    • 🔸 Required root access, which voids the warranty on many devices.
    • 🔸 Risk of damaging system files if recovery is incorrect.

    2. Copying the Viber folder manually

    All data Viber is stored in the folder /data/data/com.viber.voip. It can be copied using:

    • 🔹 ADB commands (for experienced users).
    • 🔹 File manager with root access (for example, Root Explorer).

    Example command for copying via ADB:

    adb pull /data/data/com.viber.voip /sdcard/Viber_Backup

    This method is suitable for advanced users and does not guarantee 100% performance after recovery.

    💡

    Standard backup methods (Google Drive and local copy) are more reliable than third-party tools. Use alternative methods only if other options are not available.

    How to avoid problems during future reinstallations

    To avoid facing data loss in the future, follow these tips:

    • 📅 Regular backups: Set up automatic uploads to Google Drive (weekly or monthly).
    • 📂 Control the Viber folder: Check periodically to see if it's taking up too much space (Settings → Storage).
    • 🔄 Updates without deleting: If possible, update Viber via Google Play, rather than deleting it completely.
    • 📱 Synchronizing contacts: Make sure that contacts are saved in Google Account, and not just in the phone memory.

    If you If you often reinstall applications, consider using Viber Desktop on your computer. The PC version syncs your chat history and can serve as an additional backup.

    It is also useful to know that Viber stores media files (photos, videos) in the folder /sdcard/Viber Media. You can manually copy it to a computer or external drive to free up space on your phone without losing files.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about reinstalling Viber

    Is it possible to restore chats if I deleted Viber without a backup?

    Unfortunately, no. If you did not create a backup and completely deleted the application (including wiping data), your chat history is lost forever. The only chance is if there are files left on the device Viber in the folder /data/data/com.viber.voip, but you will need root access to extract them.

    Why doesn’t a window appear with a backup selection when restoring?

    This can happen for several reasons:

    • 🔹 You are logged in with a different phone number.
    • 🔹 The backup copy was created on another device (for example, on a tablet).
    • 🔹 The copy file is damaged or deleted.
    • 🔹 An outdated one is installed version Viber.

    Check all conditions and try again.

    How much space does a Viber backup take?

    The copy size depends on the number of chats and media files:

    • 📌 Text messages: 1–5 MB.
    • 📌 With media files (photos, videos, voice): from 50 MB to several GB.

    The cloud copy in Google Drive is limited by your free space (usually 15 GB per account).

    Is it possible to transfer Viber from Android to iPhone while saving chats?

    Officially - no. Viber does not support cross-platform data recovery between Android and iOS. However, you can try:

    1. Create a local copy on Android.
    2. Move the file to your computer.
    3. Use third-party tools (for example, iMazing or Backuptrans), but they do not guarantee 100% results.

    The risk of data loss is high, so it is recommended to export important chats manually.

    What will happen to my groups and channels after reinstallation?

    The groups and channels you are a member of will be preserved, as they linked to your phone number. However: in groups it will be restored only if it was in a backup copy. reset.

    • 🔹 Chat history in groups it will be restored only if it was in a backup copy.
    • 🔹 Administrator rights will be saved (if you were an admin).
    • 🔹 Notification settings for groups may be reset.

    The groups and channels themselves will not disappear, but their content depends on the backup copy.