Losing valuable correspondence in the messenger is a situation that many Android users face. Accidentally pressing the delete button, system failure, or drive failure can lead to the disappearance of important dialogs. Fortunately, the application architecture Viber provides for several levels of data protection, which significantly increases the chances of success when trying to recover lost information.
The recovery procedure depends on exactly when the last backup was made and what access rights the user has. There are three main scenarios: returning through an internal local database, using cloud storage Google Drive or using specialized software for deep memory scanning. Each method has its own limitations and technical nuances that must be taken into account before starting work.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithms of actions for each method. You will learn how to properly configure autosave settings to minimize risks in the future, and what hidden operating system functions can help in a critical situation. It is important to act consistently, as incorrect steps can lead to overwriting memory sectors where deleted data is still stored.
Restoring from a local Viber backup
The fastest and most reliable way to return correspondence is to use a local backup, which the application creates automatically. By default Viber saves the message history to the device's internal memory or to a microSD memory card every 24 hours. The files have an extension .vbk and are stored in a protected directory, access to which may require the use of a file manager with superuser rights.
To start the procedure, you must first completely remove the application from the device. This is a critical step because if you reinstall without first uninstalling, the system may not offer recovery from the found file. After uninstallation, download the current version of the messenger from the official store Google Play and start the registration process.
During the initial setup, the application will automatically scan the available storage for backup files. If a current backup is found, a notification will appear on the screen asking you to restore the data. Agreeing to this action will start the process of unpacking the archive, which can take from a few seconds to several minutes depending on the volume of correspondence.
⚠️ Attention: The local copy is overwritten every day. If you deleted messages more than 24 hours ago and did not change the saving settings, the old data may have already been replaced by new ones.
Sometimes automatic search does not work due to changes in the path structure in new versions of Android. In this case, you can try moving the backup file manually to the root folder of the internal storage before installing the application. The path to the original location usually looks like /Android/media/com.viber.voip/viber_backup, but it may vary depending on the OS version.
☑️ Preparing for local recovery
Using Google Drive cloud storage
Cloud backup is a more modern and secure method of data protection, since information is stored on remote servers, and not on the physical media of the smartphone. For this function to work, it is necessary that the synchronization with account option is activated in the messenger settings Google. You can check the availability of such a copy through the interface of the cloud service itself or in the application settings.
The process of restoring from the cloud is similar to the local method, but requires a stable Internet connection. When you first start Viber after reinstallation, the system will ask for permission to access your Google account. After authorization, the application will check the timestamps and offer to download the latest available version of the message history.
Please note that the amount of available space on Google Drive is limited by the free plan of 15 GB, which is common for mail, photos and application backups. If the space is full, the creation of new backups may be suspended, and you risk restoring only the old version of the correspondence made weeks or months ago.
| Option | Local copy | Google Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Storage location | Phone memory / SD card | Remote server |
| Dependency on the Internet | Not required | Required |
| Risk of loss due to breakdown | High | Low |
| Update frequency | Once every 24 hours | Customizable |
Before restoring from the cloud, make sure that the same Google account that was used to create the backup is enabled on your smartphone. Using a different email will make the backup invisible to the system.
An attempt to restore a conversation on another device with a different phone number will not be successful, even if you are signed in to the same Google account. This is a security measure that prevents the leakage of personal information.
Setting up automatic backup
To avoid problems with data loss in the future, you need to properly configure autosave settings. In the menu Viber go to the section More → Settings → Account → Viber backup. Here you can select the frequency of creating copies: daily, weekly or monthly.
For users with limited traffic or memory, it is recommended to disable saving media files to backup. Photos and videos take up a significant amount of space, but they can often be found in the device’s gallery or restored through the chat history if the interlocutor has not deleted them. Text information weighs extremely little and is a priority for saving.
- 📅 Select the optimal frequency: daily copying guarantees minimal data loss, but requires more resources.
- ☁️ Link your Google account: make sure the "Backup to Google Drive" switch is active and lit green.
- 🔋 Use Wi-Fi: configure the creation of copies only when connected to a wireless network, so as not to waste mobile traffic.
After setting the parameters, press the button Create a copy nowto initiate the process manually. This will allow you to verify that the system is working correctly and the file is actually being written to the selected storage. Regularly checking the status of the latest copy will help avoid unpleasant surprises at a critical moment.
Why is the copy not being created?
Most often, the problem lies in the lack of space on Google Drive or the application does not have permission to access the storage. Check the access settings in the "Applications" section of the Android system settings.
Recovery without backup through third-party software
If backups are missing or outdated, the only option is to use specialized data recovery software. Utilities such as Dr.Fone, Tenorshare UltData or DiskDiggerscan the device's memory in search of deleted files that have not yet been overwritten by new information.
The effectiveness of this method directly depends on the time that has passed since the deletion. The more actively you used your phone after losing messages, the less chance of success. The Android operating system constantly writes new data to free memory cells, irreversibly destroying traces of old correspondence.
⚠️ Attention: To perform a deep memory scan, most apps require root access. Obtaining superuser rights may void the device's warranty and lead to unstable system operation.
The recovery process usually looks like this: you connect the smartphone to the computer via a USB cable, launch the app and select the type of data to search. After the scan is completed, the app will display a list of messages found, which you can preview before recovery.
It is worth noting that free versions of such apps often have limitations on the number of files recovered. Full restoration may require purchasing a license. In addition, there is no guarantee that the text of messages will be readable, since databases SQLite may be damaged when deleted.
Recovery features on different versions of Android
Starting with version Android 11, Google has tightened its access policy to the application file system. Now folders with data, including backup copies Viber, are located in a protected directory Android/data, access to which is prohibited for third-party file managers. This complicates the process of manually copying and moving backup files.
On older versions of the operating system, for example Android 9 or 10, the data storage structure was more open. Users could freely move files .vbk between folders using a standard Explorer. In the new conditions, to access system folders, you may need to connect the phone to the PC in USB debugging mode.
Owners of devices with custom firmware (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS) should be especially careful. Manufacturers often implement their own power saving systems that can forcefully stop the backup process in the background. It is necessary to add Viber to the list of exceptions and allow autorun.
Prevention of data loss and common errors
The main mistake of users is the hope that messages are stored on servers Viber indefinitely. In fact, the messenger uses end-to-end encryption and does not store correspondence history on its servers after messages are delivered. Responsibility for the safety of data lies solely with the owner of the device.
Regularly make copies of important dialogues, especially if you are discussing issues of legal or financial significance. You can also use the “Send to yourself by email” function, which is available in the settings of individual chats. This will create a text log of correspondence that will be stored regardless of the state of the application on the phone.
- 🚫 Do not clear the application cache unnecessarily: although this should not delete the database, in rare cases crashes will lead to loss of settings.
- 💾 Duplicate important files: save critical documents and photos from chats to a separate folder on the cloud disk.
- 🔄 Update the application: new versions Viber often contain fixes for errors related to database integrity.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and location of settings may vary slightly depending on the application version and smartphone model. If you do not find the described menu item, use the settings search or refer to the official help.
Remember that data recovery is always a compromise between convenience and security. Using cloud services is as convenient as possible, but requires trust in the service provider. Local storage gives complete control, but is subject to the risk of physical damage to the device. The optimal solution is a combination of both methods.
Regular backups are the only guaranteed way to protect correspondence. Third-party recovery apps only give a chance, but do not guarantee results.
Is it possible to restore correspondence if I changed my phone number?
No, the message history is tied to the specific phone number to which the account was registered. When you change your number, a new profile is created and old data is not transferred automatically. Before changing your number, you must use the account transfer function inside the Viber settings.
Will deleted photos and videos be restored?
Yes, if they were included in the backup at the time it was created. However, if you have configured the application to save only text, the media files will not be restored. It's also worth checking the "Gallery" or "Viber Images" folder in your file manager, as media is often saved there separately.
What should you do if the "Restore" button does not appear during installation?
This means that the application did not find a suitable backup file. Check if you are signed in to the same Google account, make sure that the backup file is in the correct folder and has the correct name. Also, the problem may occur when installing a modified version of the application.
Will the recovered correspondence take up a lot of space on the phone?
The amount of space taken up depends on the number of messages and attached files. Text correspondence over several years can weigh only a few megabytes. The main volume is taken up by photographs and videos. Before restoring from the cloud, make sure that there is enough free space on the device.
Is it possible to recover messages that the other party has deleted?
No, the "Delete for everyone" function removes messages from the server and devices of both chat participants instantly. If you did not have a local backup made before deletion, it is technically impossible to return these messages by any means.