Deleting an important chat in Viber is a situation familiar to many users. One careless click, and years of correspondence with friends, colleagues or loved ones disappear without a trace. Fortunately, recover a deleted conversation on Android possible - in at least five ways. The effectiveness of each depends on whether backups were enabled, how long ago the deletion occurred, and what version of the application is installed on your device.

In this article we will look at all current methods for returning correspondence from standard functions Viber to little-known technical techniques. It is important to understand: the sooner you start acting, the higher the chances of success. Some data can be stored in the application cache or the cloud for a limited time, so delay reduces the possibility of recovery.

If you deleted a chat by accident or after resetting your phone to factory settings, do not panic. Even without pre-created backups, there is a chance to return some messages. The main thing is to follow the instructions consistently and not make common mistakes that permanently erase the data.

1. Restoring via Viber backup

The most reliable way to get back a deleted chat is to use automatic or manual backupswhich Viber creates on the device. By default, the application saves backups once a week, but this interval can be changed in the settings. Important: copies are stored only on the smartphone itself, and not in the cloud (except Google Driveif you have set up synchronization).

To restore correspondence:

  1. Delete Viber from your phone (don’t be afraid - copies will remain in the device’s memory).
  2. Install the application again from Google Play.
  3. When you first start it, the system will offer Restore data from backup. Select the most recent date.
  4. Wait for the process to complete (may take several minutes depending on the volume of data).

If the restore option does not appear, check if there are backups manually. To do this:

  1. Connect your phone to the PC and turn on the mode File transfer (MTP).
  2. Go to the folder /sdcard/viber/backup/ (or /storage/emulated/0/viber/backup/).
  3. Make sure there are files with the extension .vcb (for example, backup_20260515.vcb).
⚠️ Attention: If you have already reinstalled Viber and logged into your account without restoring, the new data will overwrite the old copies. In this case, it will be impossible to recover deleted chats.

Make sure that there is enough memory

Disable mobile data and connect to Wi-Fi

Remember or write down the password for your Viber account

Do not create new chats until recovery is complete-->

2. Using Google Drive for recovery

Since 2022 year Viber supports synchronization with Google Drive, which allows you to save copies of correspondence in the cloud. However, this feature does not work on all devices and requires preliminary setup. If you enabled it in advance, it will be easier to restore chats.

Instructions for restoring via Google Drive:

  1. Delete Viber and install it again.
  2. When you first start, select the option Recover from Google Drive.
  3. Log in to the same account Googlethat was linked to Viber.
  4. Select the latest backup from the list.

If the option is inactive, check:

  • 🔹 Whether synchronization was enabled in the settings Viber (Settings → Account → Backup).
  • 🔹 Is there enough space in your Google Drive (15 GB is provided for free).
  • 🔹 Are you using the same account Googleas when creating a copy.
⚠️ Attention: Cloud copies in Google Drive can take up a lot of space. If you did not clear them manually, old backups could be automatically deleted by the system due to lack of space.

If restoring via Google Drive did not work, try an alternative method: download the archive with a copy manually via the web version Drive, then transfer file .vcb to the folder /viber/backup/ on your phone and install the application again.

Yes, I regularly create copies

I set it up, but haven’t checked it for a long time

Never used this function

I don’t know what it is-->

3. Restoring through the app cache (without backups)

If there are no backups, there is still hope for cache Viber, where fragments of deleted messages can be temporarily stored. This method only works during the first 24–48 hours after deleting the chat and requires root access or special utilities.

For users without root:

  • 🔹 Install a file manager with access to system folders (for example, FX Explorer or Solid Explorer).
  • 🔹 Go to /data/data/com.viber.voip/ (the folder may be hidden).
  • 🔹 Find files with the extension .db or .sqlite —they may contain the remains of correspondence.

For users with root:

  1. Download the utility SQLite Editor from Play Market.
  2. Open the database Viber along the path /data/data/com.viber.voip/databases/viber_data.
  3. Go to the table messages and look for deleted messages (they can be marked as deleted=1).
  4. Export the necessary data to a separate file.
⚠️ Attention: Working with system files without root may lead to malfunctions Viber. Do not change or delete files in the folder /data/data/if you are not sure of your actions.
What to do if you do not have root access?

Without root access to the database Viber is limited, but you can try:

1. Use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to extract cache files.

2. Connect the phone to the PC and scan the memory using apps like Recuva or DiskDigger (low efficiency).

3. Contact support Viber with a request to restore data (success depends on the service policy).

4. Restoration through notification history

If your phone has it turned on notification history, there is a chance to find fragments of deleted correspondence. This method is suitable for restoring last messages (usually no older than 7 days), but not entire chats.

How to check notification history:

  1. Open Android Settings → Applications and notifications → Notifications.
  2. Find the section Notification history (on some firmware it may be called Notification log).
  3. Enable the feature if it is disabled (confirmation will be required).
  4. Scroll the list to find notifications from Viber.

Method limitations:

  • 🔹 Only notification texts are saved (usually the first 1-2 lines of the message).
  • 🔹 There is no information about the sender if the chat was a group one.
  • 🔹 On some devices (Xiaomi, Huawei), the notification history is cleared automatically.
💡

If the notification history is disabled, enable it directly now! This will help in the future to recover not only messages from Viber, but also SMS, letters and other data.

5. Contacting Viber support

As a last resort, you can try contact support Viber with a request to restore a deleted chat. Success depends on several factors:

  • 🔹 How long ago the chat was deleted (the more recent, the higher the chances).
  • 🔹 Whether synchronization with the cloud was enabled.
  • 🔹 Reason for deletion (random) pressing or resetting the phone).

How to make a request correctly:

  1. Open Viber and go to Settings → Help → Contact support.
  2. Select a topic Account or data recovery.
  3. Specify:
    • Phone number associated with the account.
    • Approximate date of chat deletion.
    • Name or number of the contact/group with whom correspondence needs to be restored.
  • Attach screenshots (if any) confirming the problem.

    • The deadline for consideration of the request is from 3 to 10 days. The answer comes by email or in the support chat within the application. Please note that Viber does not guarantee data recovery, but in 30% of cases users manage to return at least part of the correspondence.

    ⚠️ Attention: Support Viber does not restore messages deleted more than 30 days ago, as well as data from accounts that have not been used for more than 6 months.

    6. Alternative methods: third-party apps

    If standard methods do not work, you can try specialized apps for data recovery. They scan the phone's memory for deleted files and sometimes find fragments of correspondence. Popular utilities:

    • 🔹 Dr.Fone (for Android) - recovers messages from Viber, WhatsApp and SMS.
    • 🔹 EaseUS MobiSaver - supports data extraction from internal memory and SD cards.
    • 🔹 Tenorshare UltData —works without root, but with limitations.

    Instructions for use Dr.Fone:

    1. Install the app on your PC and connect your phone via USB.
    2. Select mode Recovery Android data.
    3. Tick the checkbox Viber messages and start scanning.
    4. After completion, view the found files and save the ones you need.

    Important nuances:

    • 🔹 Free versions of apps show only previews of files - to save, you will need to purchase a license (from 500 to 2000 ₽).
    • 🔹 Efficiency depends on the phone model. On devices Samsung and Google Pixel the chances are higher than on Xiaomi or Realme.
    • 🔹 Do not install apps on the same drive where the deleted data was stored - this reduces the likelihood of recovery.
    💡

    Third-party apps do not guarantee 100% results. Their effectiveness decreases if more than 7 days have passed since the chat was deleted or the phone's memory has been actively used.

    Recovery method Required conditions Recovery time Chance of success
    Backup copy of Viber Availability of files .vcb on the phone 5–15 minutes 90%
    Google Drive Preliminary synchronization setup 10–20 minutes 70%
    Application cache root access or access to system folders 30–60 minutes 40%
    Notification history The function is enabled in Android settings 2–5 minutes 20%
    Third-party apps PC, USB cable, free disk space 1–3 hours 30–50%

    Common errors and how to avoid them

    Many users lose the chance to restore the chat due to common mistakes. Here's what You cannot do after deleting correspondence:

    • 🔹 Install updates Viber —the new version may overwrite old data.
    • 🔹 Clear cache or application data in Android settings.
    • 🔹 Create new chats —this reduces the chances of restoring old ones.
    • 🔹 Use cleaning apps (for example, CCleaner) that delete temporary files.

    It is also not worth:

    • 🔹 Trying to restore data on another device - linking chats to your account may get lost.
    • 🔹 Turn off the Internet during recovery (if a cloud backup is used).
    • 🔹 Change the phone number associated with Viber.

    Critical information: If you deleted a chat and immediately created a new one with the same contact, the old messages will are irretrievably lost. Viber does not save history for the same dialogue in several copies.

    💡

    Before any manipulations with Viber take screenshots of important chats or export them to a text file. To do this, open the dialogue → ⋮ → Export chat.

    FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

    Is it possible to restore a chat if more than a month has passed?

    The chances are extremely low. Viber stores backups locally, and after 30 days they are usually overwritten with new data. If you have enabled synchronization with Google Drive, try restoring via the cloud - copies can be stored there longer.

    Third-party apps like Dr.Fone are also unlikely to help: after a month, deleted data is almost always overwritten with new information.

    What to do if does an error appear when restoring from a backup?

    Errors like "The backup could not be restored" usually associated with:

    • File corruption .vcb (try downloading a copy again).
    • Version mismatch Viber (update the application to the latest version).
    • Lack of memory on the device (free up at least 1 GB).

    If the error repeats, try:

    1. Delete all files from the folder /viber/backup/except the required copy.
    2. Disable the antivirus (it can block access to files).
    3. Restore the backup on another device.
    Is it possible to recover messages if the phone is broken?

    If the screen does not work, but the phone turns on, connect it to the PC and use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to extract files Viber. Commands for copying backups:

    adb pull /sdcard/viber/backup/ C:\ViberBackup\

    adb shell ls /data/data/com.viber.voip/databases/

    If the phone does not turn on, contact the service center - technicians can extract data from flash memory (paid service, from 2000 ₽).

    Are deleted media files (photos, videos) recovered from chat?

    Media files are restored only if:

    • They were saved to the phone gallery (check the folder Viber Media).
    • In the backup Viber media saving is enabled (settings Settings → Media → Autoload).

    If the files were not saved automatically, you can try to restore them using apps like DiskDigger or Recuva, but the chances are low.

    What to do if the wrong chat is restored?

    If after restoring from a backup, you received the wrong correspondence, which means:

    • You selected the wrong copy date (check other files .vcb in the folder /viber/backup/).
    • The backup was created after deleting the chat (find an older copy).
    • A synchronization error occurred (repeat the process on another device).

    Solution: delete Viber, find all files in the folder /viber/backup/ and sort them by date. Select the oldest copy created before deletion. chat.