Many instant messenger users are faced with a situation where they need to check the contents of an archive, but do not know where exactly it is physically located. Backup Vibera is created automatically, but access to system files is often hidden from normal view. This is done to protect data confidentiality, but creates difficulties when manual management is necessary.
In the Android operating system, the folder structure has changed with the release of new versions, which often confuses smartphone owners. If you want view the contents of the backup or transfer it to another phone, you will have to use a file manager with extended rights. It is impossible to see the archive file itself in a readable form using the standard tools of the application itself.
In this article we will examine in detail the paths to system folders, methods for viewing the contents of the database and methods for restoring information. You will learn about the nuances of working with SQLite bases and understand why a simple copy of files may not work without the right actions. Get ready to dive into the technical details of your device's file system.
Backup file locations
By default, the application saves all data in a specially designated section of the device’s memory. The path to this data depends on the version of the operating system installed on your gadget. On older versions of Android (up to and including 10), the folder was located in the root of the internal memory, which simplified access.
Starting with the eleventh version of Android, Google has tightened its security policy by moving application data to a protected directory. Now the path looks like /Android/media/com.viber.voip or /Android/data/com.viber.voip/files. This is where the folder ViberBackupis stored, containing archives of messages, photos and videos.
Why might the folder be empty?
If you do not see the ViberBackup folder, it is possible that automatic creation of backups is disabled in the settings of the application itself. Check the "Account" → "Backup" section and make sure that the function is activated and the last backup was successful.
To access these hidden folders on new versions of Android, you may need a third-party file manager, since the standard Explorer sometimes restricts access to system partitions. It is also worth remembering that files can take up a significant amount of space, especially if there are a lot of media files in chats.
⚠️ Attention: When manually working with files in a folder Android/data be extremely careful. Deleting or moving unnecessary files can lead to incorrect operation of not only Viber, but also other system services.
Tools for viewing backup contents
Simply copying a backup file is not enough if you want to read the text of messages. The database file has the extension .db or .vbk and is a binary format that is incomprehensible to humans without special processing. To read it, you will need specialized utilities.
One of the most effective ways is to use computer apps for working with databases SQLite. Since Viber uses this particular engine to store history, you can open the file on your PC. Popular tools include DB Browser for SQLite or similar free solutions.
- 📱 File managers: Total Commander, Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer for navigating the system.
- 💻 Desktop utilities: DB Browser, SQLite Expert Personal for opening database files.
- 🔐 Decoders: Specialized scripts or online services for decrypting encryption keys (require root access).
It is important to understand that without root access, access to some system files can be limited even with the help of advanced managers. In such cases, the only way out is to use emulators or create a full copy of the system via ADB.
Step-by-step guide for extracting the database
To access the history file, you must first find it in the file system. Open your file manager and go to internal storage. Next, follow the path corresponding to your version of Android, as described in the first section.
Find the file named viber.db or msgstore.db. This is the main database containing the entire text of the correspondence. Copy this file to any convenient folder, for example, to “Downloads”, in order to be able to work with it without fear of damaging the original.
☑️ Extraction algorithm
After extracting the file, you can transfer it to your computer via a USB cable. The connection must be established in the “File Transfer” (MTP) mode for the computer to see the smartphone’s internal memory as an external drive.
⚠️ Attention: File manager interfaces and folder names may vary slightly depending on the smartphone model (Samsung, Xiaomi, Pixel) and the manufacturer’s shell. Always look for a folder whose name includes viber.
File structure analysis and decryption
When you open the database file on your computer, you will see many tables. Basic information about correspondence is usually contained in a table named Messages or Event. However, the data there may be in raw form, including service timestamps and contact IDs.
Some fields may be encrypted or encoded in a format that is not human readable. For example, the message text may appear as a string of characters if encryption was used. Full decryption sometimes requires access to keys stored in a protected area of application memory.
| File type | Extension | Content | Readability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Message database | .db / .sqlite | Text of correspondence, time, statuses | Only via SQLite |
| Media archive | .vbk | Photos, videos, voice | Only via application |
| Settings | .xml / .prefs | Account settings, avatars | Text editor |
| Logs | .log | Technical information about work | Notepad |
If you see only numbers and strange symbols instead of text in the tables, this means that the database is secure. In modern versions of Viber, encryption has become standard, and simply opening a file via DB Browser may not be enough to read the contents without a decryption key.
To view the table structure in the .db file, use the "Database Structure" tab in the DB Browser for SQLite app. This will help you find the desired table with messages among dozens of system records.
Restoring correspondence from a local copy
If your goal is not just to look, but to recover deleted messages on a new phone or after a reinstallation, the procedure will be different. You need to replace the current database file with the saved copy. To do this, first completely remove the Viber application from the device.
Then install the messenger again, but do not run immediately. You need to manually copy your saved file viber.db (or the entire backup folder) back to the application directory. The path must be exactly the same as it was before deletion.
Only after replacing the files can you launch the application and register. Viber will detect the presence of a local database and offer to restore the history. If this does not happen, the file names may not match or the application version is incompatible with the database format.
⚠️ Attention: The procedure for replacing database files is unstable on versions of Android 12 and higher due to security restrictions. The system can block writing to the application folder even with administrator rights.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Users often encounter the fact that after recovery, pictures disappear or messages are not synchronized. This may be due to the fact that media files are stored separately from the text database. Check to see if you copied the entire folder, and not just the database file. Viber the whole thing, not just the database file.
Another common mistake is a phone number mismatch. The backup copy is tied to a specific number. If you try to restore a backup from one number to an account with another number, the system will deny access to the data for security reasons.
- 📉 Format error: The file was damaged during copying, try copying it again.
- 🔒 Access denied: The antivirus or system is blocking access to the folder, temporarily disable the protection.
- 📵 No network: To check the activation of the backup, a short-term Internet connection is required.
In some cases Clearing the application cache before attempting a restore helps. Go to Android settings, find Viber in the list of applications and select “Clear cache”. Do not confuse with “Clear data”, as this will delete all current settings.
Successful recovery depends on three factors: the integrity of the database file, the match of the phone number and the correct version of the operating system on the device.
Is it possible to read a Viber backup on a computer without a phone?
Yes, if you have there is a database file (viber.db), you can open it on your computer using the DB Browser for SQLite app. However, if the database is encrypted, it will not be possible to read the text of messages without the decryption key. You can also use the official desktop version of Viber on a PC if you synchronize it with your phone.
Where is the backup stored if I did not set up Google Drive?
If cloud copying was not configured, the copy is stored locally in the internal memory of the smartphone. Path: /Android/media/com.viber.voip/ViberBackup or /Android/data/com.viber.voip/files. When you delete the application or reset the phone to factory settings, these files will be irretrievably lost.
Why doesn’t Viber see the backup copy during installation?
Most often the problem is that the file is renamed or is in the wrong folder. The application looks for a file of a strictly defined format in the system directory. Also, the reason may be the use of different Google accounts or a mismatch in the phone number to which the copy was created.
How often should you make a manual backup?
It is better to set up automatic copying once a week or once a day. Manually creating copies makes sense only before important actions, such as flashing the phone, installing custom firmware, or upgrading to a new smartphone model. Under normal conditions, automation is sufficient.